A Letter to My Therapy Dog, Who Guided Me Towards Recovery

Dear AMP,

I lived for 26 years thinking I would never want you. The idea of having the responsibility of a living creature was terrifying. I was barely getting myself through life so why would I dare add another life to those shenanigans.

I was waking up every day full of dread and emptiness. An average day consisted of waking up and immediately regretting it. I would lie in bed trying desperately to fall asleep again or fight the unknown force that kept me pinned to the mattress. Usually, only one thing could get me out of bed — needing to use the restroom. Sadly, this was my main motivator but happily a solution found me.

One day I got the text, “Chloe had puppies!” My niece continued to keep me informed. “The last one born was a struggle, he barely survived. I don’t know why but I think you should keep him.” I was completely against the idea for weeks! To appease my niece and persistent roommate, I let you come over. You had trouble breathing, an extra toe, an under bite hiding two rows of teeth and you pooped in my closet. As I scrubbed the carpet, I started shaking and crying. I was beginning to have an anxiety attack.

I held my breath while yelling at myself inside to just breathe. I tightened my fists and sat on my hands to avoid hitting myself. When anxiety and depression both fight for the spotlight in my mind everything hurts and tightens. My only solution was self-harm or dissociation.  I was sitting on the floor of my closet next to dog poop, you were staring at me and my roommate was calling my name downstairs. I covered my ears and lay down trying to shut out the world while stifling the thoughts inside. I was consumed with pain and you could tell.

All you did was put your paw on my head and I let out a big breath. You kept your paw there and I continued to breathe. I inhaled and exhaled while you settled in next to me on the floor after you did your “circle before you sleep” move. You sighed, settled and slept. That was the first time you took care of me and it was then I promised to take care of you. six years later and we are still taking care of each other! Now an average day consists of waking up and immediately seeing you jumping around to get my attention.

I still have days when I feel pinned to the mattress, but now I have a better motivator: needing to take you outside. Our mornings outside keep me hopeful and positive. The mornings I woke up in the hospital without you were a true test of all you have taught me, but that’s a story for next time. For now, I can only say: Thank you for waking me up!

Your human,

Allison Rose Maldonado