Shelter dogs and Sober Living

According to the National Library of Medicine, animal assisted therapy is gaining ground in the medical community. The therapeutic benefits of animals in addiction and other therapies are well known. So well known that sober living residences are now sponsoring adoption programs. These adoption programs are available as an effort between addiction aid organizations and the local animal shelters.

How do Dogs Help Recovering Addicts?

Pets in general and dogs in particular help people by lowering blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Those benefits translate easily into helping recovering addicts stay on the road to recovery. They also give a recovering addict unconditional love without judgment. This benefit alone is one that helps addicts relearn how to deal with others without the drugs.

Why use Shelter Dogs?

Adopting shelter dogs saves them from being euthanized.

Using shelter dogs is ideal because it rescues an animal while rescuing an addict. Most shelter dogs bond quickly with their owners and have a different outlook than purebred dogs trained for this service. Many times these dogs only have two options, adoption or euthanasia. Being adopted into a sober house is preferable to euthanizing these dogs.

What do Pets Provide when it Comes to Addiction Recovery?

Pets, dogs in particular, provide comfort and love during addiction recovery. They also provide exercise and a reason to socialize with others. Many dog owners get together at dog parks and other locations. They also provide unconditional nonjudgmental love and hope.

Pets provide something to take care of and a reason to get up in the morning. Having responsibility for another life can help many addicts learn to take responsibility for themselves. The animal depends on the human for love, food, and shelter. This dependence creates a sense of responsibility in most people, recovering addicts included.

How do Addicts and Shelter Dogs Benefit Each Other?

Shelter dogs benefit addicts by providing things other humans cannot. Dogs and cats provide someone to come home to who will not judge you and that you can tell anything to. They do not share secrets or other information, nor do they mind if you cry on their shoulder.

Being adopted benefits many of these dogs by saving their life. The shelters are extremely overcrowded and euthanasia is at an all time high. These dogs need love and hope in their lives the same as the addicts who adopt them do. Most shelter dogs need care and training as well as a warm safe place to live.

The needs of the addict and the shelter dog are not much different from each other. Both need unconditional love and support and both have the ability to provide it for each other.

How Pets Can Help with Sober Living

How to Find a Sober House that Accepts Shelter Dogs

There are sober living houses across the country that encourages pet adoption programs. Although this is a relatively new concept, these houses are not all that difficult to find. All you need to do to find one is call us at 800-953-3913 (Who Answers?). We can help you find the sober house that you need.