World Mental Health Day and free dog hugs

Numerous studies have found that spending time with a dog can really benefit our health, both physically and mentally. To help share the love of dogs and leave “Pawprints of Happiness” this World Mental Health Day the BorrowMyDoggy team headed to Borough Market to provide free dog cuddles to those that needed them.

The BorrowMyDoggy community connects dog owners with trusted local people who would love to look after their dog. Over 30,000 new dog lovers join our community every month, and 96% of the community agree that spending time with dogs has a positive impact on their wellbeing - how pawsome!

Borrower Holly, tells us how spending time with dogs has helped her through depression & anxiety:

She said “I am so grateful for BorrowMyDoggy. My mental health has dramatically improved since using it. Having struggled with depression and anxiety, I signed up to the website to see if being around dogs would help, and the therapeutic effect is unreal...to the point where my GP is now telling other patients with mental health problems about the website!”

One in six adults in the UK will have a mental health problem at any one time and the financial costs of the adverse effects of mental illness on people’s quality of life are estimated at £41.8 billion per year.

Founder and CEO of the BorrowMyDoggy pack, Rikke Rosenlund, shares the company’s mission:

She said “Leaving ‘Pawprints of Happiness’ on the lives of people and dogs is at the heart of everything we do. There are endless benefits to spending time with a dog - reduced stress levels, mental wellbeing and fitness, plus the social aspect.”