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Guy Sets Up A Dog-Walking Group For Men Who Need A Companion To Open Up About Their Problems
Rob Osman from Bristol, England, has had it pretty rough. The 38-year-old has battled with anxiety and depression for most of his life, and at one point was reduced to living in his sister’s windowless basement smoking far too much weed to care. Eventually, however, Rob found a way out of the rut.
Many things have helped him to get better, including the pursuit of a psychology and counseling degree at a local university. But the best remedy was walking his Hungarian Vizsla, Mali. As they were strolling outside, Rob felt his body relax and the tension melting away.
Realizing the huge healing power of this simple everyday activity, he set up a group called Dudes & Dogs. It’s a mental wellness community that encourages men to get out in the fresh air for a walk and talk about their feelings.
More info: dudesndogs.co.uk | FB | IG | Twitter (h/t: mymodernmet)
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
“Talking helps. It really does,” Osman wrote on the group’s website. “It’s helped me no end, but sometimes as men, we aren’t the best at it. Well, Dudes & Dogs wants to change that for the next generation. There is no doubt things are changing. We want to be a part of that. By simply getting outside, talking things through, we can start to change our mood.”
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
It all started during one of those wet, windy, and cold days that the UK is so notorious for. There was no way in hell Rob wanted to go out, especially not the way he was feeling.
But there was the dog. She didn’t care that her owner felt like crap. She didn’t care that the weather was rubbish, she just wanted to get out and play. “It’s been the best therapy I’ve ever had,” Rob said.
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
Pretty soon, Osman started inviting friends on walks with Mali. Some days, they would chat but often they simply hang out. But most importantly, he discovered that his friends were also benefiting from the dog and fresh. This got the man thinking if he could expand this model to more people. More men.
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
They are very resistant to seeking mental health treatment. According to a study by Priori, 40% of men won’t talk to anyone about their mental health. Dogs, however, seem to ease them into having these conversations.
“They need someone to listen,” Osman told TODAY. “The idea of using a dog gives people an hour away from the family and gets them out. Dogs are like four-legged antidepressants. When people are around them they drop their defenses. They play with the dog.”
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
RELATED:
To learn more about the program, watch the video below
Image credits: dudesanddogscic
Image credits: jamesbeckphotography
If you want to support Dudes & Dogs, check out their crowdfunding campaign
Image credits: dudes_anddogs
Image credits: DudesnDogs
Image credits: Rob Osman
Image credits: Rob Osman
Image credits: Rob Osman
Image credits: Rob Osman
Here’s what some of the guys who went on a walk with Rob had to say about it
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What do you think ?
Miłka Chromińska 4 years ago
This is a great idea - well done Rob for setting up a community where people can get together and watch out for each other :D
Aleksandra 4 years ago
And this is how men can and should help other men! Not with ugly comments like "men suffer too!" under posts about sexism towards women, but with real action and empathy! This is great and I'm really glad there are poeple like this lovely guy! Thank you Rob for caring about other people!
Full Name 4 years ago
This is a great idea. It's tangentially related to how people enjoy themselves when they have something to do. A reason to be social. It's why board game night is so fun. Hint: it's the fact you have an activity. It's not the game itself that makes it fun. As an aside, I do have to say I'm always slightly weary of people in the mental health field because "Many things have helped him to get better, including the pursuit of a psychology and counseling degree at a local university". Most people I know in the field went into it to fix themselves, not others. I've never met a "normal", mentally healthy person to go into those classes at uni. Just sayin.
Ksenia M 4 years ago
as a person with a degree in psychology i'm feeling attacked))) On a more serious note: so what if people went to the field to help themselves first? Every practicing psychologist has to go through therapy themself and work on their own issues before helping others in order to avoid possible transference. Knowing what it feels like to be in the other chair is a bonus. And in all honesty, if you only allow completely mentally healthy people to work as shrinks you are going to run out very soon.
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Miłka Chromińska 4 years ago
This is a great idea - well done Rob for setting up a community where people can get together and watch out for each other :D
Aleksandra 4 years ago
And this is how men can and should help other men! Not with ugly comments like "men suffer too!" under posts about sexism towards women, but with real action and empathy! This is great and I'm really glad there are poeple like this lovely guy! Thank you Rob for caring about other people!
Full Name 4 years ago
This is a great idea. It's tangentially related to how people enjoy themselves when they have something to do. A reason to be social. It's why board game night is so fun. Hint: it's the fact you have an activity. It's not the game itself that makes it fun. As an aside, I do have to say I'm always slightly weary of people in the mental health field because "Many things have helped him to get better, including the pursuit of a psychology and counseling degree at a local university". Most people I know in the field went into it to fix themselves, not others. I've never met a "normal", mentally healthy person to go into those classes at uni. Just sayin.
Ksenia M 4 years ago
as a person with a degree in psychology i'm feeling attacked))) On a more serious note: so what if people went to the field to help themselves first? Every practicing psychologist has to go through therapy themself and work on their own issues before helping others in order to avoid possible transference. Knowing what it feels like to be in the other chair is a bonus. And in all honesty, if you only allow completely mentally healthy people to work as shrinks you are going to run out very soon.
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