We Are All Therapy Dogs Now

I have a friend who’s immunocompromised. He hasn’t left his apartment in weeks. It’s been hard for him, but he doesn’t complain. He gives…

I have a friend who’s immunocompromised. He hasn’t left his apartment in weeks. It’s been hard for him, but he doesn’t complain. He gives back. Checks in on friends to see how they’re feeling. Shares uplifting articles and stories. Asks people to list the best things that have happened to them during quarantine.

I told him I was struck by how supportive he’s been on social media. You’re doing a real service for your community, I said.

He told me: “I’m not just doing it for them. I’m doing it for me. I need to feel like I’m needed, like I’m of service to others.”

These times are uncertain and scary. People are struggling with anxiety, sleep disruptions, irritability, and depression.

I’ve been inspired by the outpouring of support from people all around me. From all backgrounds, in all different ways. Whether they’re healthcare professionals, teachers, or delivery people.

As humans we have a deep-rooted desire to help and support others. Especially in a crisis.

I saw it in New York City after 9/11. I’m seeing it now.

I have a friend who’s a singer-songwriter. He writes uplifting songs and performs them on Zoom calls with children and seniors.

I have a friend who works in mental health. She told me: Sometimes the best thing you can do is just validate people’s feelings of stress and anxiety. Remind them that we’re all going through struggles right now. It’s perfectly normal to be experiencing highs and lows.

There’s a great Mr. Rogers quote:

“Anything that is human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”

I’ve been encouraging my friends to write about their experiences. To share and be vulnerable. If you can talk about it with your friend, say this is what I’m going through, these are the challenges I’m facing — maybe it doesn’t get you back to where you need to be, but it helps.

You don’t need to save the world. Whether it’s a neighbor, a barber, or a restaurant worker, you can make a difference simply by asking: What can I do to help?

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