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Could a pet be the best medicine for your MS? Well, my neurologist might raise an eyebrow at that. But emotionally? My dog is giving those meds a run for their money.

Look, I’ll be honest – when my neurologist suggested I “try not to stress,” I almost laughed. If only it were that simple, right? But you know what? My dog Sally might actually be better at stress relief than anything else I’ve tried.

I’m not saying pets are a miracle cure for MS, but having Sally around has made a genuine difference in how I cope with this unpredictable illness. Here’s why:

She Gets Me Moving (Even When I Really Don’t Want To)

There are days when my body feels like it’s made of heavy sand, and the thought of leaving the house seems impossible. But Sally doesn’t care about my excuses. When it’s walk time, it’s walk time!

Last year, I was having a particularly rough time with infections and fatigue. The kind where even lifting my arm felt like a workout. Sally, bless her, brought me one of her many balls and gave me that look. You know the one – part “please” and part “if you don’t take me out, I might eat your shoes.” So out we went.

Was it a long walk? Nope. But those few minutes in the fresh air, watching the world go by, were refreshing and uplifting. And I would never deny someone else the chance to enjoy life, even if I wouldn’t choose it for myself.

My Dog: 1, MS: 0

Let’s talk about stress for a minute. If you’re anything like me, you know that stress and MS symptoms often go hand in hand. It’s frustrating, right? You’re worried about your symptoms, which makes you stressed, which can then make your symptoms worse. It’s an annoying cycle.

This is where my dog comes in. I didn’t get her specifically as an stress-relief dog or anything, but it turns out she’s pretty good at it.

You know those days when everything feels overwhelming? When I’ve got a million things to do, my leg’s acting up, and I’m dreading my next doctor’s appointment? Sally has this scary ability to sense when I’m in over my head. She’ll come over and just… be there. Sometimes she’ll rest her head on my knee while I’m working. Other times, she’ll bring me her favorite squeaky toy – the one that’s more squeak than toy at this point.

It’s hard to explain, but these little moments help. They pull me out of my own head for a bit. I’ll stop, pet her for a few minutes, maybe throw the toy a couple of times (as best I can on bad days). My breathing slows down, and the heavy knot in my stomach loosens a little.

Is it a cure for stress? No. But it’s a breather! A moment to reset. And sometimes, that’s exactly what I need.

I read somewhere that petting dogs can actually lower stress hormones in your body. I’m not sure about the science of it all, but I can believe it. There’s something calming about focusing on something so simple and present.

How My Dog Forced Me to Be Social

MS can be isolating. There are times when I cancel plans because I’m just not up for explaining why I’m walking slower or why I need to sit down every few minutes. But with Sally, I have a reason to get out and interact with people, even on my off days.

At the dog park, no one cares if I’m sitting on a bench while Sally runs around. They’re too busy chatting about dog breeds or sharing stories about the latest chew toy their pup destroyed. It’s a no-pressure way to be social, and honestly, sometimes those brief chats are exactly what I need to feel connected to the world outside a difficult MS bubble.

Surprise! Dogs Need Schedules Too

Sometimes, you just want to lie in bed all day and only crawl to the fridge for snacks. Motivation can really be LOW with MS, and sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. When my MS was at its worst, I had absolutely no motivation to take care of myself at all. But for my dog Sally? I could never deny her a trip to the park for some ball-throwing and sniffing at least a thousand flowers. So, even though I’d never have the motivation for a nice walk in the park for my own sake, I’d always do it for her.

The same goes for routines. If we go back to rotting in bed, there are certainly no “normal” eating and sleeping schedules there. It’s mostly about eating when hunger gets too strong to ignore. But when the clock strikes 6, it’s dinner time for Sally; otherwise, I risk waking up without a toe the next morning.

Having those important routines to take care of a little creature helps me get out and continue having habits like getting up in the morning and eating breakfast and dinner around the same time. It might be a bit silly that I couldn’t do it for myself during the time I struggled most with my MS, but it’s great to have a cute, furry solution for that in my case. Maybe it works for you too?

Turns Out, Pets Can Be Pretty Handy

You know, we’ve talked about how pets can be great companions, but there’s another angle we should consider – pets as working partners. For some people with MS, dogs and other pets can be more than just furry friends; they can be trained to help with daily tasks.

Now, I’ll be honest – Sally isn’t exactly service dog material. Her idea of “helping” is hiding my shoes, which gives me an unwanted treasure hunt every morning. But for those with more trainable pups (or the patience to train them), the possibilities are pretty amazing.

Service dogs can be taught to do all sorts of useful things. They can:

• Pick up dropped items (super helpful on days when bending down feels like an Olympic sport)
• Open and close doors (because doorknobs can be surprisingly challenging some days)
• Help with balance and mobility (like a furry, living cane)
• Even help with laundry or bringing medication (though I’m pretty sure if I taught Sally to open the fridge, I’d come home to an empty kitchen)

Some folks with MS also have their pets registered as emotional support animals. While they might not have the same training as service dogs, they can still provide important mental health benefits. Plus, it can make it easier to keep your pet in rental housing or take them on flights if needed.

Training a service dog takes a lot of time and effort, and it’s not the right choice for everyone. But for some people with MS, it can be extremely helpful in terms of independence and quality of life.

If you’re interested in exploring this option, there are organizations that specialize in training and placing service dogs for people with disabilities, including MS. It’s worth looking into if you think it might be helpful for you.

The Realistic Side of Pet Ownership

I want to be clear – having a pet while dealing with MS isn’t always a walk in the park. As much as Sally helps me, it’s important to be realistic about the challenges too.

Physical limitations can make caring for an animal tough some days. Things like filling water bowls, cleaning litter boxes, or going for walks can be difficult when your body isn’t cooperating. And let’s be honest, the financial aspect is no joke either. Vet bills, food, and supplies can add up quickly, potentially creating more stress than relief if you’re already dealing with the costs of managing MS.

If you’re considering getting a pet to help with your MS, take some time to think it through. Be honest with yourself about what you can handle on your bad days, not just your good ones. Maybe a lower-energy dog or a cat might be a better fit. Or perhaps fish or a small animal that requires less physical care could be an option.

But here’s the thing – you don’t need to own a pet to enjoy their benefits! There are lots of ways to get your dose of furry comfort without the full-time responsibility:

1. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. You get to spend time with animals and help them out, but you’re not on the hook for daily care.
2. Offer to pet-sit for friends or family. It’s like having a temporary pet, and you’re doing your loved ones a favor too.
3. Look into therapy animal visits. Some organizations offer programs where trained animals visit people with chronic illnesses. It’s all the cuddles with none of the responsibility.
4. Visit a cat café. These are becoming more popular, and they’re a great way to get some feline company for an hour or two.

Remember, the goal is to improve your life, not add more stress to it.

So, what do you think? Could a pet be the best (or at least part of the) medicine for your MS? 🐶