Do our dogs miss us when we leave home? According to a recent study done by the Colorado State University School of Social Work, the answer is a resounding yes.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, assistant professor and researcher Jen Currin-McCulloch decided to study how our bonds with our pets helped us overcome what she calls the "pandemic blues". I remember feeling lost and anxious with every scary headline that came out, and maybe the reason why it was so hard to overcome those feelings was because I didn't have a furry friend by my side.

According to a press release, a survey was done by researchers from Colorado State University, Washington State University, the University of San Francisco, and Palo Alto University asking dog and cat owners how their pets made them feel during the pandemic, and according to those surveys:

More than 5,000 dog and cat owners said that, besides helping them feel better, their pets also help them maintain a regular schedule, cope with uncertainty, boost self-compassion and find purpose in their lives.

The surveyers also noted that with limited social contact and large amounts of time spent at home alone, pets helped to decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation, and have helped with mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

So what are you waiting for? Go foster a pet today and find out just how much they change your life for the better.

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