Video of Dog Consoling Her Owner With Depression Goes Viral on Twitter

If you live with a mental health condition, you probably know how important a support system is. We all need someone to lean on when we’re feeling down and offer a helping hand — or in some cases, a helping paw.

Sometimes pets provide the best unconditional love and support, and college student Emma Smallwood knows just how important that is. On Saturday, Smallwood, 18, shared a video of her white pitbull Luna consoling her during a particularly hard day.

“She knows when I am getting anxious and sad and immediately goes to my side to cuddle me,” Smallwood told The Mighty. “If I become very upset, she will constantly lick my face and tug my shirt to distract me. She also jumps on me to make me stop and play with her.”

IK this is weird but I want to appreciate my Pitbull Luna. I got this vid of me spiraling to document my feelings and remind myself that it gets better but the one who made it better was Luna. She distracted me, hugged, & kissed me. Animals will never cease to amaze me. pic.twitter.com/gt4HTtbLXE

— Crying Girl from Dog Vid (@EmmaBem_) January 20, 2019

“I got this vid of me spiraling to document my feelings and remind myself that it gets better but the one who made it better was Luna,” Smallwood wrote on Twitter. The video has since gone viral, amassing over 35,000 retweets and 164,000 likes.

Smallwood, who is a college freshman, was diagnosed with depression and anxiety the summer after she graduated high school. She studies psychology and is open about her mental health online. She said she hopes her video brought joy and hope to others who are struggling.

“I personally hope that people are more aware of mental health issues and how little things can bring you hope in dark moments,” Smallwood said.

Smallwood received many messages from others whose dogs, cats, bunnies and more have supported them like Luna has for her. It shows that sometimes the help we need in the moment isn’t another person but a furry four-legged friend who finds ways to show you that they care.

If you’d like to share how your pet, emotional support animal or service animal has helped you, post a Thought on The Mighty with the hashtag #MightyPets.