Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use During COVID-19: How Animals Can Help

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress and anxiety for many Canadians. In some cases, it is influencing their substance use. Pets and therapy animals can help those affected deal with these feelings and avoid potential harm from substance use.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog Program and the Mental Health Commission of Canada, has developed a poster offering information on how the connection between animals and humans can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety during the pandemic. 

The poster also provides tips for reducing the harms associated with using alcohol, cannabis and other substances. 

We encourage you to share this resource. It is also available for download from CCSA’S COVID-19 resource centre, along with a collection of other resources on substance use and COVID-19.