“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 #22 – My Therapist Has Four Legs

June 10, 2025
by KAREN LEE STEVENS

Here on the coast of Southern California, we have a unique weather phenomenon known as June Gloom. The skies traditionally become a bit, well, moody during the sixth month of the year. Despite the grey skies outside, this June is anything but gloomy for me – and not just because my mint chocolate chip ice cream consumption triples. It’s also Global Wellness Day, a day dedicated to reminding us that being healthy isn’t solely about kale smoothies and silent retreats (though I’m not knocking either, especially the silent retreats). This year, Global Wellness Day hits a little different. It’s not about finding my inner zen through guided meditation, but remembering with fondness the floppy ears and mega-watt smile of my very first therapy dog.

Our first walk together was less “Stop and smell the roses” and more “Let’s see just how fast Karen can run to keep up with the dog,” all while I giggled uncontrollably. It was messy, it was slobbery, and it was, unexpectedly, precisely what I needed. Guinness didn’t offer advice, she didn’t judge my wind-blown hair, and she certainly didn’t try to explain the intricacies of cognitive behavioral therapy. She just was. She leaned into me, a warm, furry weight, her tail thumping a steady rhythm of pure, unadulterated bliss against the ground. And in that moment, something shifted. The tightness in my chest eased, the relentless chatter in my mind quieted, and I felt… lighter.

Global Wellness Day has become a celebration of these small, profound moments in my daily life. It’s easy to get caught up in the grand gestures of self-care, but sometimes, wellness is a wet nose nudging your hand for a pat, a happy sigh as a furry head rests on your lap, or the sheer absurdity of trying to throw a tennis ball while simultaneously side-stepping an athletic lunge because, apparently, fetch is a full-contact sport. Guinness taught me that joy can be found in the simplest interactions, and sometimes, the best way to quiet the noise is to embrace the silliness.

Guinness was also a master of distraction. Feeling overwhelmed by emails? Guinness would strategically place her toy of choice (usually a suspiciously drool-covered toy squirrel) right under my chin. Worried about an upcoming presentation? Guinness would offer a paw as if to say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and by the way, can I have a treat?” Her humor was unintentional, but utterly effective. It’s hard to wallow when there’s a furry, adorable goofball staring at you with an expression that clearly says, “Why aren’t you running to get the leash, you silly human?!”

So, this Global Wellness Day, as you contemplate your own path to well-being, I encourage you to consider the furry, four-legged therapists of the world. They might not have a psychology degree (dare I say DOGtorate degree?), but they possess an innate ability to connect, to comfort, and to remind us that sometimes, the best medicine is a good belly rub and an exuberant tail wag. My happiness, it turns out, was just waiting to be unleashed, and all it took was a very good girl named Guinness. Happy Global Wellness Day, everyone! May your days be filled with as much joy as a dog who just discovered a squeaky toy filled with peanut butter.

Share your stories and feedback with Karen at karen@therapydogssb.org.

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