“Unleashing Happiness” a monthly blog by Karen Lee Stevens

Director of Wellness Programs, Karen Lee Stevens tackles topics related to mental health and the human-animal bond, along with a healthy dose of humor (because let’s face it, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying!).

BLOG POST #21 – Let’s Talk Mental Health

May 9, 2025
by KAREN LEE STEVENS

Ah, May! My confetti-colored lantana plants are beginning to bloom with vibrant hues of red and orange, and the giant pine trees in my backyard are engaging in a slow, graceful dance with the warm breeze. Now, if only the whirlwind of thoughts in my head could find such beauty and tranquility!

While I’m all about celebrating the external world of colorful flowers and captivating fauna, I also think it’s a good time to address the inner landscape of being a human. Enter Mental Health Awareness Month, which takes place every year during May.

For years, mental health felt like the oddball uncle at your family reunion – everyone knew he was there, but nobody wanted to talk about him. It was shrouded in this weird silence, like mentioning it would somehow manifest a raincloud over the barbecue. But thankfully, the conversation is changing. We’re starting to realize that taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies (think bicep curls for your brain).

For long-time readers of my blog, you know I’ve had my own adventures in the land of mental well-being. There have been days when getting up from my comfy heated massage chair felt like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops. There have been nights when my brain decided to host an all-night rave featuring my deepest insecurities as the headlining act. Fun times! And you know what? That’s OK. Mostly. It’s all part of the human experience.

Besides meditating, getting massages, and hosting Sound Baths, one of the most wonderful discoveries on my journey has been the sheer, unadulterated magic of therapy dogs. Seriously, when was the last time you were in the presence of one of these furry Zen masters? They have this uncanny ability to sense when you’re feeling a wee bit wobbly, and they know how to offer comfort without uttering a single “woof.” It’s like they have a direct line to your soul, bypassing all the anxious chatter and going straight for the “I’m here for you” button.

I remember one particularly rough day. My thoughts were tangled in knots, and I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Then, one of our sweet therapy dogs sauntered over, rested his big, fluffy head on my lap, and let out a soft, contented sigh. At that moment, the knots in my noggin loosened, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter, and I smiled. Giggled, in fact. Mind you, it wasn’t a miracle cure, but I did find myself humming the lyrics to My Girl by The Temptations. “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.” Our therapy dog didn’t seem to mind at all that I was singing slightly off-key.

So, this month, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of caring for our minds. Take a breath, be kind to yourself, and remember you’re doing the best you can. And if you ever get the chance to hang out with a therapy dog? Do it! Your soul will thank you.

And hey, if you see me out and about this month, chances are I’ll be the one petting every dog I see. For me, it’s all in a day’s work.

Share your encounters with therapy dogs (or cats or horses!) with Karen by emailing her at: karen@therapydogssb.org. (And for more inspiration, you can view cute pics of all our therapy dogs by visiting: https://therapydogsamerica.org/meet-our-therapy-dogs/)