Animals have played an incredibly important role in my life and wellbeing. One of those animals was my beloved Border Collie, Tippy. As an only child, she was much more than a pet—she was my best friend and constant companion. She lived to the wonderful age of 18 years, and saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest experiences of my life.

Tippy was always there. She somehow knew exactly when I was coming home from school and would wait patiently at the front gate every afternoon. We shared countless adventures, quiet moments, and unconditional companionship.

Looking back, I now recognise that she was providing emotional support long before I understood what an emotional support animal was. At the time, these conversations weren't as common as they are today, but her presence gave me comfort, stability, and a sense of safety during my teenage years.

Today, I have an 11-year-old cat named Snowie, who continues to remind me of the healing power of connection. I hand-raised her from the moment she was born at 10:03 pm on Halloween night, 31 October 2012. She has been a constant source of comfort, companionship, and emotional support throughout many seasons of my life.
Both Tippy and Snowie have taught me that recovery is not always about finding one big answer. Sometimes recovery is built through the small, consistent sources of connection, safe.