The home of wellbeing and joy.
In Episode 18 of The Mood Booster Podcast, we’re reflecting on: Pets 🐾
This one’s for the dog lovers, the cat cuddlers, and everyone who’s ever felt emotionally supported by a pet. In this episode, Dr Marcus and Charlie dig into the science behind our love for animals, why they’re such powerful mood boosters, and how we can cope with the pain of pet loss when the time comes.
From oxytocin boosts to complicated grief, we explore how pets affect our minds and bodies, and why the connection runs so deep.
We also reflect on our own stories and talk about:
The health and psychological benefits of owning a pet
How to honour the loss of a pet and navigate grief
Whether pets make us more compassionate humans
Tips for people considering getting a pet for wellbeing reasons
🧠 Advice covered in this episode:
Use ritual in grief – Memorialising a pet helps process the loss
Don’t minimise the pain – Validate that this grief is real
Reflect on shared meaning – What did this pet teach you?
Use continued bonds – It’s okay to talk to or about them after they’re gone
Consider non-ownership alternatives – Volunteering, dog-walking, fostering
📍 Pillars explored: Introspection & Inspiration, Community & Connection, Presence & Gratitude, and Wellbeing & Joy (Full house!)
📚 References cited in this episode:
- Adrian, J. a. L., & Stitt, A. (2017). Pet loss, complicated grief, and Post-Traumatic stress disorder in Hawaii. Anthrozoös, 30(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2017.1270598
- Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and Psychophysiological effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The possible role of Oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234
- Hawkins, R. D., Ellis, A., & Robinson, C. (2024). Exploring the connection between pet attachment and owner mental health: the roles of Owner-Pet compatibility, perceived pet welfare, and behavioral issues. medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.20.24317636
- Loftus, E. F., & Pickrell, J. E. (1995). The formation of false memories. Psychiatric Annals, 25(12), 720-725. psycnet.apa.org
- Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. Harvard University Press
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