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
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
164Kviews
Share on FacebookThis is a great idea - well done Rob for setting up a community where people can get together and watch out for each other :D
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!
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.
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.
Load More Replies...Me too, maybe. I'm a total introvert, but dogs always make me happy.... yeah.
Load More Replies...It's interesting that only two Bored Pandas mentioned the word 'dog' in their comments, and that's regrettable because dogs are a main player in this therapy. "...dogs are like four-legged antidepressants." - all animals are, although not all can be walked. I'm sure you heard about 'animal therapy', animals bring joy to senior citizens in nursing homes, they help troubled youth to find meaning in life, and they soften hearts of hardened criminals. Children are reading to their doggies to improve their reading skills. People who do not like animals, take them only for a "thing" to be exploited and used, are missing out on kind of friendship, loyalty, and love which people are not able to give each other. What a shame, if humans stopped all that heinous, atrocious abuse with which they treat the animals the world would be a lot different for animals and people alike - there's the indisputable link between animal abuse and violence against people.
I just can't believe how emotionally weak and useless so many people are these days. I blame it on overly protective, molly coddling political correctness. It's sort of like using antibiotics too much. Eventually, like the emotions of these people, they just aren't strong enough.
That's such a good idea! What a good guy - good for other people and good for the dogs too!
My brother needs this so he will stop bringing me along when he walks his dog. LOL
Is there a Portland Oregon branch? I have successfully pushed everyone out of my life due to depression and anxiety. I have 2 4 legged pals that keep me going but if I didn't have them...
3.5/3 Oh yeah, and to answer your question, sorry—I have no clue if a Portland, Oregon branch exists. But I wish you the best should you find one or even end up starting one someday! (And alas, my posting order: 'tis rather askew. So please read the replies below starting from the bottom-most one—things should have you looking up from there [haha! Lame joke? That's quite alright, I know where the door is.] Sorry for lack any lack of clarity or gibberish!)
Load More Replies...As a womxn I am disgusted by this!! Men don't have problems, men are the cause of problems! Bored Panda taught me this with the daily comics/articles on the problems I face as a womxn!!
I'm sorry you feel that way. Men have as many problems as women, if we're going to clump people into 2 distinct groups ( but that's another post). ALL people suffer from problems, depression, loneliness, low self esteem. This post is JUST talking about men and a tool to help them deal with issues. It's NOT excluding women!
Load More Replies...Psychology being ruled by ultra leftist feminists has failed men. Good to see fressh ideas for those in need.
Societal expectation of hyper-masculinity have failed men. But sure, blame it on feminists.
Load More Replies...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
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!
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.
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.
Load More Replies...Me too, maybe. I'm a total introvert, but dogs always make me happy.... yeah.
Load More Replies...It's interesting that only two Bored Pandas mentioned the word 'dog' in their comments, and that's regrettable because dogs are a main player in this therapy. "...dogs are like four-legged antidepressants." - all animals are, although not all can be walked. I'm sure you heard about 'animal therapy', animals bring joy to senior citizens in nursing homes, they help troubled youth to find meaning in life, and they soften hearts of hardened criminals. Children are reading to their doggies to improve their reading skills. People who do not like animals, take them only for a "thing" to be exploited and used, are missing out on kind of friendship, loyalty, and love which people are not able to give each other. What a shame, if humans stopped all that heinous, atrocious abuse with which they treat the animals the world would be a lot different for animals and people alike - there's the indisputable link between animal abuse and violence against people.
I just can't believe how emotionally weak and useless so many people are these days. I blame it on overly protective, molly coddling political correctness. It's sort of like using antibiotics too much. Eventually, like the emotions of these people, they just aren't strong enough.
That's such a good idea! What a good guy - good for other people and good for the dogs too!
My brother needs this so he will stop bringing me along when he walks his dog. LOL
Is there a Portland Oregon branch? I have successfully pushed everyone out of my life due to depression and anxiety. I have 2 4 legged pals that keep me going but if I didn't have them...
3.5/3 Oh yeah, and to answer your question, sorry—I have no clue if a Portland, Oregon branch exists. But I wish you the best should you find one or even end up starting one someday! (And alas, my posting order: 'tis rather askew. So please read the replies below starting from the bottom-most one—things should have you looking up from there [haha! Lame joke? That's quite alright, I know where the door is.] Sorry for lack any lack of clarity or gibberish!)
Load More Replies...As a womxn I am disgusted by this!! Men don't have problems, men are the cause of problems! Bored Panda taught me this with the daily comics/articles on the problems I face as a womxn!!
I'm sorry you feel that way. Men have as many problems as women, if we're going to clump people into 2 distinct groups ( but that's another post). ALL people suffer from problems, depression, loneliness, low self esteem. This post is JUST talking about men and a tool to help them deal with issues. It's NOT excluding women!
Load More Replies...Psychology being ruled by ultra leftist feminists has failed men. Good to see fressh ideas for those in need.
Societal expectation of hyper-masculinity have failed men. But sure, blame it on feminists.
Load More Replies...
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