Wellness Tool #14: Animals

Animals and pets have been shown time and time again to help fight depression, anxiety, and are proven to help reduce stress. Along with companionship, pets are able to bring people joy and love even on their darker days. Spending time with animals and having pets help their owners manage their feelings and provide a useful distraction from the stress of having a mental health concern. Service dogs can help alleviate symptoms in veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Joseph Villarreal

Joseph is the Program Supervisor for the Eastern North Carolina Outpatient Clinics located in Greenville, New Bern, and Wilmington.  He is also the Secretary for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council (DEI) and a member of the Peer Leadership Council (PLC).  Joe is also a verified social media marketer and a former award recipient of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities, N.A.D.D.