When my mom adopted Ellie Mae in 2020, I thought she’d be her dog. I didn’t expect Ellie Mae to become one of my closest companions. But between filling her water bowl, wandering through downtown Sarasota, and running into neighbors at the park, I realized that dogs are way more than pets. Ellie became the first dog I’d ever lived with, and it became crystal clear: They’re connectors, healers, lovers. Companions, too.
Ellie Mae has a way of pulling me into the world, especially into conversations with strangers, into new routines, and into unexpected joy. Stewart, Ally’s family’s dog, has that same gift. Whenever we visit, I see how Stewart brings the whole family together, whether it’s walks, playtime, or simply being the happy presence in the room.
My dad, even without a dog of his own, has become part of that same community. He walks several of the neighborhood dogs, and in doing so, he’s built friendships with neighbors he might never have known otherwise. Dogs give him purpose and connection just as surely as they do their owners.
The health benefits of dog ownership have been well-documented: Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, less stress, and even longer lives. But it’s not really about the numbers. It’s mostly about belonging. A wagging tail at the door, a walk that sparks a friendship, a sense of purpose when life feels heavy. That’s what dogs give us.
And in the middle of chaotic, busy times, they also offer something harder to measure but equally as essential: a steady calm, a reminder to slow down, and a little peace in the noise.
So, below, I’ve pasted a story I wrote for Sarasota Magazine for anyone who wants to read more about the gifts our furry friends provide.
May it inspire you, dog owner or not, to pause for a moment, notice the small joys around you, and let their spirit of presence guide you through the rush of daily life.
When my mother acquired her dog, Ellie Mae, in 2020, I didn’t know how close Ellie Mae and I would become, especially since I didn’t live full-time with my mom. But keeping her water bowl full, going on walks through downtown Sarasota and the Rosemary District and hanging out with other dogs and their owners at local parks: All of it provided a sense of joy. I have learned how valuable dogs can be in softening the shocks of the pandemic, mitigating social isolation and relieving stress.
Few moments beat seeing Ellie Mae after an extended time away, when she greets me with her tail wagging faster than a windshield wiper. As we walk through town, we run into fellow Sarasotans taking their dogs on a stroll. We meet neighbors and learn about local events, areas to explore, things to do and restaurants to try—conversations we probably wouldn’t otherwise have.
It’s no secret that these pets give us a sense of belonging and meaning. Dogs love unconditionally. They don’t hold grudges, and they offer love and support upon which we come to rely. Studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol and a lower resting heart rate than non-owners. While the pandemic exacerbated loneliness in the U.S., and rates of political division and burnout have climbed, pets can ease our tension and improve our well-being.
“Owning a pet keeps you active and gives you a sense of purpose,” says David Lynch, the senior director of operations at The Humane Society of Sarasota County. “You get out in fresh air. You stay healthy. The first thing that happens every day is my dogs wake me up to go for a walk. Then I come home to my dogs and their unconditional love. When you are down, a support system is right there.”
More than a decade ago, Lynch was like many young Americans struggling to enter the workforce in the wake of the Great Recession. He turned to a local shelter as a volunteer, and after a few months, they offered him a job. He’s since been in the field helping animals find safe homes. “These animals give me a sense of purpose and dignity, and that’s immeasurable,” he says.
Lynch isn’t alone. He regularly sees how being in the company of a pet, whether as a volunteer at the Humane Society or as a dog owner, can improve one’s quality of life. Volunteers have made lifelong friendships and cited their pets as a critical help in transitioning to retired lifestyles. Lynch recalls how one woman, who had experienced a difficult time in her life, came to adopt a dog. Three months later, she wrote a letter stating how the experience of acquiring the dog had helped her navigate a “terrible circumstance.”
When dogs visit local schools, Lynch says teachers have told him that they didn’t know one of their “most troubled students could show so much compassion.” There are many examples of pets assisting the disabled, the elderly, the distressed, and the ill.
October marks shelter adoption month, and many shelters offer 50 percent discounts on adoption fees throughout the month. Lynch debunks the stigma that adopted pets are inferior to purebreds, noting that there are many reasons dogs end up in shelters, like owners who are forced to move away or face financial constraints. “These are great animals that deserve a second chance,” he says.
