A pack of therapy dogs from the White Mountain College for Pets (WMCP) visited Mid-State Health Center in Plymouth this past week, bringing some paw-sitivity along with them.  

WMCP is a local organization in Plymouth that offers lodging and education for furry friends. In addition, their Therapy Dog Program allows pet owners and the WMCP team to train dogs to become reliable support animals, specific to the owner’s needs. To wrap up their certification, the pups must make a visit to a health center… and what better place than Mid-State!

This month’s visit featured Piper (pictured), a Husky mix, as well as two standard poodles and a cocker spaniel. Unfortunately, the pets are not full-time employees at Mid-State, however, they do make a visit every so often upon completion of their training.

As mental health issues continue to rise in the United States due to the pandemic and other everyday life stressors, animals can help ease the effects of depression and other mental health concerns. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise, and improve all-around health”.

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Mid-State and the WMCP would like to remind everyone to take a moment for self-care and to check in on their own mental well-being, whether that is with furry friends or not.