The presence of dogs can provide healing to those people who are suffering from physical, emotional, and psychological pains. Dogs can be everywhere: in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and offices. It has already been proven so many times that dogs help individuals recover from the challenges that they have in their lives.
One dog from the United Kingdom has helped thousands of people to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Max was a Springer Spaniel mix who served as a therapy dog to Kerry Irving, his fur dad. Kerry used to be a locksmith before he met a road accident 15 years ago. The accident caused excruciating pain in his back. Kerry endured the pain so much that it took a toll on his mental health.
Kerry became suicidal, depressed, and anxious as a result of his accident. For six years, he had been to several specialty hospitals and consulted physiotherapists to help him cope with his mental distress. He even took prescription drugs. Unfortunately, nothing had helped him until Max came into his life.
Kerry’s viewpoint had changed since Max helped him to recover from the trauma he had in the past. He called Max “The Miracle Dog.”
Kerry had decided to share how Max helped him overcome his physical, emotional, and psychological struggles on his Facebook page “Max Out in the Lake District.” Kerry would do Facebook live videos to show their daily dose of nature walks together with Max’s other dog siblings, Paddy and Harry. He also wrote a book entitled, “Max the Miracle Dog: The Heart-warming Tale of a Life-saving Friendship” to inspire people to never lose hope in life.
Surprisingly, Kerry’s videos of Max and his siblings became viral! A lot of people watched the dogs’ calming and upbeat personalities. Their Facebook page had garnered more than 200,000 followers. They had indeed helped the people to find peace and happiness during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Max’s popularity on social media had helped him to raise funds for People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PSDA). He was able to receive more than $350,000 from his online campaign. Max was awarded Order of Merit by PSDA for his dedication and hard work as a therapy dog.
Continue to spread happiness, Max!
Photos courtesy of maxoutinthelakedistrict_ via Instagram