Last September, I regularly searched for puppies in shelters that needed a home. I knew this was a ridiculous waste of time because I was living in a dorm and it would be difficult to take care of a dog, especially a puppy. Unsurprisingly, I continued my search and the begging process for my parents to let me get one began to intensify. The pandemic hit, isolation began to get lonely, and I knew deep inside I needed something to get my mind off of things.

I went home for Thanksgiving, and my mom finally gave in. She told me that if I got a job, I could get a dog. I got a job the following week. Good thing my birthday was coming up, and my mom was going on a work trip.

The same day my mom left for her work trip, I snuck to the shelter to find my forever friend. I waited for hours to get in after driving an hour just to get there. Seeing all the little dogs was saddening. Walking through the gated rooms where each dog was held was rough. After looking around for a bit, I came across a little black puppy with big eyes and immediately knew she was the one. Her name is Sol, meaning sun in Spanish.

Flash forward to today, not only is she my best friend, but she’s attached to my mom now (the one who didn't want a dog in the first place).

A few months after the pandemic hit, shelters began to empty quickly, as people were using this time to adopt, knowing that they would be home most of the time. According to data collected by PLOS One, 87 percent of people stated that their animals help them cope emotionally during the pandemic.

People coping with depression and anxiety are benefiting from having pets at home. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says, “dogs can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health.”

As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, getting a dog was a life-changer. Sol was an actual ray of sun that brightened up my life. Even just coming home to a dog elevates people’s levels of oxytocin and dopamine, both of which create positive feelings for someone. Dogs are the only creatures on earth that love their owners more than they love themselves.

Unfortunately, there are many families struggling financially during this time and have been unable to care for their animals. Because of this, the number of pets in shelters at the beginning of the pandemic increased. This is why it is so important not to shop from breeders, but to adopt. Many dogs are waiting for their forever homes, and for people with depression, anxiety, or any other mental illnesses, it is a great investment in your happiness.

So, send your parents on a business trip, and make your way to the nearest animal shelter, where I’m sure you will find your forever best friend.

Pets Are Getting Us Through This