I have suffered with mental health problems all my life. My dog gizmo 15 years has had no special training yet has saved my life on an significant number of occassions. I tell everyone that he is my life line and without him i would not still be alive today. He knows when im sad and comforts me. I can talk to him when noone else will listen. He is my mhad even without training. I believe very strongly in this cause as he is getting old now and i dont know where to turn when he is gone. Many prople would benefit grately from a dog like gizmo. Please get mhad the respect they truely deserve andnthe same rights as any other assisstance dog.
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Nancy Wilcox Beto
14 years ago
This is such a necessary thing. In the US, both dogs and cats can be signed on as "mental health pets." Their companionship and love are so needed. Those struggling with mental illness find unconditional love from their animals in a world that has sometimes chewed them up and spit them out. It is what those people need. This programme would be so beneficial and it is the responsibility of the government to take care of the population of those with mental illness just as they take care of any other population in the country.
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Naomi
14 years ago
i am 23 years old. been suffering with depression sense i was 14!!! still i sit here with no support from anyone but my pets. i try and try to see my doctor but there always busy, i try and try to get help from other places. but i never do. if it was not for my dogs i dont know where i would be. all i know is, iv had no support. iv tried hurting myself, and the thing that stopped me was my dogs. not because iv had loads of help.
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Lisa Reece
14 years ago
It is about time mental health issues/depression were given the same funding and awareness that physical disabilities are. We shouldn't have to fight so hard for the right to live normal lives with proper support. It has become too easy to be fobbed off with medication behind closed doors.This only makes us more Depressed. Dogs have an amazing capacity for empathy, love and support. Their non-judgmental presence allows us to feel safe. They get to the parts of us that humans cannot reach.When the world feels overwhelming and lonely, Dogs remind us we 'have a reason to live'...
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Derek Pitt
14 years ago
We have owned a dog which is now a companion dog for Denise my wife... for almost 12 months Denise hasn't felt able to leave the confines of the flat alone... With the company of the dog she is able to and converse with people she is meeting...I wish this was recognised as in the USA who appear streets ahead of us...
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Niall Horn
14 years ago
I suffer extreme panic attacks/mental health I am 17 and house bound. Really feel that dogs would help me cope in public places and at work.
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Carol Bridger
14 years ago
I have a two year old greyhound that I adopted last year but she has rescued me as much as I have rescued her! When my depression takes a hold I close myself away, at present I've not left my home, apart from to walk Mia, for 5 days! I have to go to the shop today as I have no gas and I need to post my niece's birthday card, I've been crying all morning at the thought of going out but I have to. My only relief is that I will take Mia with me, my problem is that she has to be left, tied up outside, whilst I nip in to buy my gas & electric. I won't take her on shopping trips that might take more than 5 minutes as I won't leave her! If she was made my assistance dog I could do so much more and lead an almost 'normal' life. Please see how important a positive outcome to this petition is for myself and others with mental health issues!
I have suffered with mental health problems all my life. My dog gizmo 15 years has had no special training yet has saved my life on an significant number of occassions. I tell everyone that he is my life line and without him i would not still be alive today. He knows when im sad and comforts me. I can talk to him when noone else will listen. He is my mhad even without training. I believe very strongly in this cause as he is getting old now and i dont know where to turn when he is gone. Many prople would benefit grately from a dog like gizmo. Please get mhad the respect they truely deserve andnthe same rights as any other assisstance dog.
This is such a necessary thing. In the US, both dogs and cats can be signed on as "mental health pets." Their companionship and love are so needed. Those struggling with mental illness find unconditional love from their animals in a world that has sometimes chewed them up and spit them out. It is what those people need. This programme would be so beneficial and it is the responsibility of the government to take care of the population of those with mental illness just as they take care of any other population in the country.
i am 23 years old. been suffering with depression sense i was 14!!! still i sit here with no support from anyone but my pets. i try and try to see my doctor but there always busy, i try and try to get help from other places. but i never do. if it was not for my dogs i dont know where i would be. all i know is, iv had no support. iv tried hurting myself, and the thing that stopped me was my dogs. not because iv had loads of help.
It is about time mental health issues/depression were given the same funding and awareness that physical disabilities are. We shouldn't have to fight so hard for the right to live normal lives with proper support. It has become too easy to be fobbed off with medication behind closed doors.This only makes us more Depressed. Dogs have an amazing capacity for empathy, love and support. Their non-judgmental presence allows us to feel safe. They get to the parts of us that humans cannot reach.When the world feels overwhelming and lonely, Dogs remind us we 'have a reason to live'...
We have owned a dog which is now a companion dog for Denise my wife... for almost 12 months Denise hasn't felt able to leave the confines of the flat alone... With the company of the dog she is able to and converse with people she is meeting...I wish this was recognised as in the USA who appear streets ahead of us...
I suffer extreme panic attacks/mental health I am 17 and house bound. Really feel that dogs would help me cope in public places and at work.
I have a two year old greyhound that I adopted last year but she has rescued me as much as I have rescued her! When my depression takes a hold I close myself away, at present I've not left my home, apart from to walk Mia, for 5 days! I have to go to the shop today as I have no gas and I need to post my niece's birthday card, I've been crying all morning at the thought of going out but I have to. My only relief is that I will take Mia with me, my problem is that she has to be left, tied up outside, whilst I nip in to buy my gas & electric. I won't take her on shopping trips that might take more than 5 minutes as I won't leave her! If she was made my assistance dog I could do so much more and lead an almost 'normal' life. Please see how important a positive outcome to this petition is for myself and others with mental health issues!