Thinking of adopting a pet for mental health? This woman’s experience with her cat might surprise you
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If you’ve ever thought about adopting a pet to help ease your anxiety, you’re not alone.
For many at The GrayVine, the idea of a furry companion offering comfort, routine, and unconditional love is downright irresistible—especially when life throws us curveballs.
But what happens when the pet you bring home to soothe your nerves turns out to be just as anxious as you are?
A Match Made in (Anxious) Heaven
That’s exactly what happened to Michelle Lam, whose story is a delightful—and surprisingly relatable—reminder that pets, like people, come with their own quirks and challenges.
Michelle Lam’s journey began during a tough chapter: a breakup and a long-standing battle with anxiety.
Scrolling through photos of adoptable cats, she spotted Suki—a petite, big-eyed feline whose anxious expression seemed to mirror her own.
“I knew I had to have Suki,” Michelle recalls. She started as a foster, but it didn’t take long for Suki to win her heart and become a permanent member of the family.
But as Michelle soon discovered, Suki wasn’t the calm, cuddly therapy cat she’d imagined. In fact, Suki’s anxiety rivaled Michelle’s own.
“She’s got an avoidant personality and likes being alone,” Michelle explains. “When there are people around, that’s when she becomes anxious. She’s good with the people she’s familiar with, but if someone new comes, she’ll go hiding in the basement.”
Suki’s skittishness became a running joke on Michelle’s social media, where she posted clips of her anxious cat with the caption, “the cat I got to help me with my anxiety.”
The Unexpected Ups and Downs of Pet Adoption
If you’ve ever had a pet with a strong personality, you know the feeling: sometimes, they’re not the emotional support animals we expect—they’re just as complicated as we are!
Also read: She’s been called a "demon in human skin"—how one tenant lived rent-free in NYC for over a decade
Suki, for example, isn’t the affectionate lap cat Michelle hoped for.
“She’s not affectionate at all, but it’s more forced affection,” Michelle laughs. Still, the bond is real, and the companionship is comforting in its own way.
A few months after adopting Suki, Michelle decided to bring home a second cat, Kabuki, hoping to add a little more warmth and maybe even a playmate for Suki.
But, as any seasoned pet owner will tell you, animals have their own ideas about new siblings.
“Suki is very sassy. Even though she looks innocent and always worried, she’s mean to my other cat, Kabuki, who just takes it,” Michelle admits. “You never know what to expect with pets in general. It’s always good to have them around—you never feel alone.”
The Science Behind Pets and Mental Health
Michelle’s story isn’t unique. Research shows that pets can be a powerful source of comfort and stress relief, especially for older adults.
Studies have found that pet ownership can lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even boost physical activity.
The simple act of caring for another living being—feeding, grooming, playing—can provide structure and a sense of purpose, which is especially valuable during times of transition or loss.
But it’s important to remember that pets aren’t a magic cure for anxiety or depression. Like Michelle and Suki, sometimes our pets come with their own emotional baggage.
Rescue animals, in particular, may have histories that make them more prone to nervousness or behavioral quirks.
The key is patience, understanding, and a willingness to accept your pet for who they are—anxieties and all.
Tips for Adopting a Pet for Emotional Support
If you’re considering adopting a pet to help with your mental health, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Be Open to Imperfection: Your new companion might not be the instant cuddle-buddy you imagined. Some pets need time to adjust, and some may always be a little quirky. That’s okay!
2. Consider Fostering First: Like Michelle, fostering gives you a chance to see if a particular pet is a good fit for your lifestyle and emotional needs—without a long-term commitment right away.
3. Look for the Right Match: Some shelters and rescues can help match you with a pet whose temperament suits your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about an animal’s history and personality.
4. Patience is Key: Building trust with a new pet, especially one with anxiety, takes time. Celebrate small victories and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
5. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your pet’s anxiety is severe, consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. There are strategies and even medications that can help.
Source: @suki_purrs / Tiktok.
The Joys (and Surprises) of Pet Companionship
Despite the challenges, Michelle wouldn’t trade her life with Suki and Kabuki for anything.
“It feels good to have a pet, a little creature, to come home to—someone who depends on you,” she says. “Animals are a great source of stress relief and de-stressing; they make good companions. They really understand you. Sometimes I look at Suki and know it will be okay. But really, I’m just talking to myself through her, telling myself it’s gonna be okay.”
And isn’t that what companionship is all about? Whether your pet is a snuggler, a sassy diva, or a fellow anxious soul, the bond you share can be a powerful reminder that you’re never truly alone.
Read next: Meet the pink pup: Luna’s story will tug at your heart
Have you ever adopted a pet for emotional support? Did your furry friend turn out to be just as quirky as you are? Or maybe you have tips for helping anxious pets settle in? We’d love to hear your stories, advice, and even your funniest pet mishaps in the comments below!
For many at The GrayVine, the idea of a furry companion offering comfort, routine, and unconditional love is downright irresistible—especially when life throws us curveballs.
But what happens when the pet you bring home to soothe your nerves turns out to be just as anxious as you are?
A Match Made in (Anxious) Heaven
That’s exactly what happened to Michelle Lam, whose story is a delightful—and surprisingly relatable—reminder that pets, like people, come with their own quirks and challenges.
Michelle Lam’s journey began during a tough chapter: a breakup and a long-standing battle with anxiety.
Scrolling through photos of adoptable cats, she spotted Suki—a petite, big-eyed feline whose anxious expression seemed to mirror her own.
“I knew I had to have Suki,” Michelle recalls. She started as a foster, but it didn’t take long for Suki to win her heart and become a permanent member of the family.
Michelle Lam adopted her cat Suki hoping it would help ease her own anxiety, only to discover that Suki also suffers from anxiety herself. Image source: @suki_purrs / Tiktok.
But as Michelle soon discovered, Suki wasn’t the calm, cuddly therapy cat she’d imagined. In fact, Suki’s anxiety rivaled Michelle’s own.
“She’s got an avoidant personality and likes being alone,” Michelle explains. “When there are people around, that’s when she becomes anxious. She’s good with the people she’s familiar with, but if someone new comes, she’ll go hiding in the basement.”
Suki’s skittishness became a running joke on Michelle’s social media, where she posted clips of her anxious cat with the caption, “the cat I got to help me with my anxiety.”
The Unexpected Ups and Downs of Pet Adoption
If you’ve ever had a pet with a strong personality, you know the feeling: sometimes, they’re not the emotional support animals we expect—they’re just as complicated as we are!
Also read: She’s been called a "demon in human skin"—how one tenant lived rent-free in NYC for over a decade
Suki, for example, isn’t the affectionate lap cat Michelle hoped for.
“She’s not affectionate at all, but it’s more forced affection,” Michelle laughs. Still, the bond is real, and the companionship is comforting in its own way.
A few months after adopting Suki, Michelle decided to bring home a second cat, Kabuki, hoping to add a little more warmth and maybe even a playmate for Suki.
But, as any seasoned pet owner will tell you, animals have their own ideas about new siblings.
https://www.tiktok.com/@suki_purrs/video/7478136092034731295
Source: @suki_purrs / Tiktok.
Source: @suki_purrs / Tiktok.
“Suki is very sassy. Even though she looks innocent and always worried, she’s mean to my other cat, Kabuki, who just takes it,” Michelle admits. “You never know what to expect with pets in general. It’s always good to have them around—you never feel alone.”
The Science Behind Pets and Mental Health
Michelle’s story isn’t unique. Research shows that pets can be a powerful source of comfort and stress relief, especially for older adults.
Studies have found that pet ownership can lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even boost physical activity.
The simple act of caring for another living being—feeding, grooming, playing—can provide structure and a sense of purpose, which is especially valuable during times of transition or loss.
But it’s important to remember that pets aren’t a magic cure for anxiety or depression. Like Michelle and Suki, sometimes our pets come with their own emotional baggage.
Rescue animals, in particular, may have histories that make them more prone to nervousness or behavioral quirks.
The key is patience, understanding, and a willingness to accept your pet for who they are—anxieties and all.
Tips for Adopting a Pet for Emotional Support
If you’re considering adopting a pet to help with your mental health, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Be Open to Imperfection: Your new companion might not be the instant cuddle-buddy you imagined. Some pets need time to adjust, and some may always be a little quirky. That’s okay!
2. Consider Fostering First: Like Michelle, fostering gives you a chance to see if a particular pet is a good fit for your lifestyle and emotional needs—without a long-term commitment right away.
3. Look for the Right Match: Some shelters and rescues can help match you with a pet whose temperament suits your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about an animal’s history and personality.
4. Patience is Key: Building trust with a new pet, especially one with anxiety, takes time. Celebrate small victories and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
5. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your pet’s anxiety is severe, consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. There are strategies and even medications that can help.
Source: @suki_purrs / Tiktok.
The Joys (and Surprises) of Pet Companionship
Despite the challenges, Michelle wouldn’t trade her life with Suki and Kabuki for anything.
“It feels good to have a pet, a little creature, to come home to—someone who depends on you,” she says. “Animals are a great source of stress relief and de-stressing; they make good companions. They really understand you. Sometimes I look at Suki and know it will be okay. But really, I’m just talking to myself through her, telling myself it’s gonna be okay.”
And isn’t that what companionship is all about? Whether your pet is a snuggler, a sassy diva, or a fellow anxious soul, the bond you share can be a powerful reminder that you’re never truly alone.
Read next: Meet the pink pup: Luna’s story will tug at your heart
Have you ever adopted a pet for emotional support? Did your furry friend turn out to be just as quirky as you are? Or maybe you have tips for helping anxious pets settle in? We’d love to hear your stories, advice, and even your funniest pet mishaps in the comments below!
