Why Are Our Pets Our Best Friends?

This week, I had to say goodbye to my beloved Labrador, Stanley, who passed after a battle with cancer. He wasn’t just a pet; he was a friend, a companion, and a mirror of empathy. Stanley had a unique way of sensing when I was feeling stressed or upset, quietly sitting by my side as if to say, “I’m here, and everything will be okay.” He wasn’t just there for the hard moments, though—he also shared in the joy of our agility training sessions, where we would run together through courses, finding a shared rhythm and flow. It was a bond unlike any other.

In many ways, our pets do for us what humans sometimes can't—they sit with us in silence, offering comfort and a sense of calm without judgment or advice. I’ve long been interested in mind-body medicine, especially the role our nervous systems play in how we handle emotions and stress. When we’re anxious or overwhelmed, our bodies often respond with physical symptoms—tension, pain, or fatigue. Learning to calm the nervous system is something I teach my clients, especially those struggling with pain or unexplained symptoms. A big part of this is creating a toolbox of soothing practices, like walking, sipping a warm drink, or simply stroking our animals.

Pets, like Stanley, have a special gift—they don’t need to fix our emotions, they just sit with them. They’re not trying to distract us or offer unsolicited advice; they’re there, present in the moment, allowing us to feel and process our emotions. In a world where distractions are everywhere, animals help us reconnect with the simplicity of being. They teach us to sit with our emotions, to breathe through the discomfort, and to let go of the need to "fix" everything.

Stanley may no longer be with me, but the lessons he taught about presence, compassion, and emotional connection remain forever in my heart.