emotional support
- lifestyle
What People Can and Can’t Ask You About Your Service Dog
The questions will come, so you should be prepared with answers.
- lifestyle
10 Places Where Your ESA Is — and Is Not — Allowed
Not every public place allows ESAs — but there are ways to advocate for yourself and your needs when your pup or other ESA is not on the guest list.
- shopping
This Plush Carrot-Puzzle Toy Will Satiate Your Food-Motivated Cat
Finally, something engaging to distract them from...real food.
- lifestyle
8 Practical and Healing Ways to Remember Your Pet After They Pass
Even though it’s the last thing you want to think about.
- lifestyle
How Service Dogs Can Ease Veterans’ PTSD
According to a study, trained service dogs can interrupt panic attacks, wake veterans from nightmares, and more.
- lifestyle
The Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets
On World Mental Health Day, experts share the science-backed ways our pets offer us emotional support.
- lifestyle
Uvalde Students Have Some New Pals Going Back to School With Them: Dogs
How Golden Retrievers are helping Uvalde, TX, students return to class after the May 2022 tragedy.
- lifestyle
How to Take Silly Little Mental Health Hikes With Your Dog
It’s good for you both — promise.
- lifestyle
Forget Goat Yoga. Jessamyn Stanley Practices With Her Pets
Turn those barks and meows into namastes.
- lifestyle
You Can’t Fly With Your Your ESA, But Your PSD Is Welcome on a Plane
Find out how here, including what the heck those acronyms mean.
- behavior
Does Your Pet Need Therapy?
Dogs and cats can’t read self-help books, so a veterinary behaviorist explains how your pet may benefit from being in treatment.
- lifestyle
Sustainable Pet Parenting Can Be Stressful. Here’s How to Deal
A climate psychologist on how to deal with eco-anxiety: “We have to be good to ourselves the way we want to be good to the planet.”
- lifestyle
The Only Star More Fierce Than Shea Couleé? Her Pomeranian, Baby
The Drag Race All Star on astrology, mental health, and the importance of pets to people in the LGBTQ+ community:
“Baby has no idea about my public persona. She literally just loves me exactly for who I am.” - lifestyle
How to Practice Mindfulness with Your Pet
Dog or cat interrupting your meditation routine? Let them — they might be helping.
- lifestyle
Jess Tran and Her Rescue Dog Are Healing Together
The creative guru on taking her dog to therapy, finding community at the dog park, and the “spiritual journey” of pet parenthood.
- lifestyle
5 Ways Minna Lee and Her Corgi Prioritize Their Collective Mental Health
The wellness entrepreneur on living with and learning from her anxious dog, from taking breaks to setting boundaries.
- lifestyle
How Alison Wu’s Dog Is a Positive Force for Her Mental Health
The lifestyle blogger and creative director’s Spaniel helps her stay grounded:
“When life gets inevitably turbulent, Tilly offers me much-needed stability, support, and calm.” - lifestyle
Gemma Correll Talks Pug Life and Mental Health
How the illustrator’s rescue dogs improve her psychological well-being. (Spoiler: Pugs make pretty great weighted blankets.)
- lifestyle
How My Dog Helped Me Get Through the Pandemic Alone
“She was my lockdown companion, but I had to learn to slowly navigate my fears and anxiety without her as my constant companion.”
- lifestyle
Chemistry Between People and Pets Is Real (It’s Science)
How the “love hormone” oxytocin connects us with our pups.
- lifestyle
5 Science-Backed Ways to De-Stress Outdoors (Your Pet Is Invited)
The author of Return to Nature on the mental health benefits of getting out into various natural landscapes with your pup.
- lifestyle
How to Take Your Dog On A Mindful Nature Walk
Wellness experts and animal trainers agree: a tuned-in Spring outing can be restorative for both people and pets.
- lifestyle
Rafael Mantesso’s Muse, Jimmy, Helped Him Draw A New Path
The Insta-famous Brazilian illustrator on making art, living with autism, and loving a Bull Terrier.
- lifestyle
How Artist Grace Miceli’s Dog, Tony, Helps Her Deal
“I was like, ‘How can I draw myself without drawing my actual self?’ We have this sort of symbiotic relationship — he’s become this character that I’m able to explore things through...”
- lifestyle
Doctor’s Orders: Get a Dog
Harvard scientists confirm the myriad physical and psychological benefits of pet parenthood.
- lifestyle
Photographer Bridget Badore & Queso Share Zodiac Signs, Personal Spaces, Lots of Feelings
“When I bring out my camera she tries to fight me, which is a shame because she really does know how to find her light.”
- lifestyle
Pet Parents Get Separation Anxiety, Too
We asked both animal behaviorists and human psychologists how you can deal with leaving your dog home alone.
- health
Please Be Nice To Your Vet
Veterinarians love their jobs, but it’s not all puppy kisses and kitten purrs. We asked Wildest expert Dr. Zay how pet parents can forge a healthy, honest, and sustainable relationship with their vet.
- lifestyle
Flying with An Emotional Support Animal
Are ESA alpacas and peacocks mocking people with real disorders? A service-dog owner and flight attendant get real.