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Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Whether you have a pet that makes a huge difference to your wellbeing or you have the pleasure of connecting with animals in wildlife on walks or nearby you! There are lots of ways animals impact our mental health and we have decided to do a whole Topic Tuesday dedicated to talking about just that! We may even share some funny animal memes??! Come along and get involved.

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

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I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

What time does this event start in my timezone?

  • AEDT- 7pm
  • AEST- 6pm
  • ACDT- 6:30pm
  • ACST- 5:30pm
  • WST- 4pm

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Wow its lovely and busy - seems animals is something a lot of us can resonate with which is wonderful.

Some of you have already mentioned a bit about the animals in your life so for our next question I'd love to hear some examples specific to you all of the positive impacts of animals. Does anyone have a memory or a specific moment of their own of how an animal has benefited their wellbeing?

This might seem funny, but amongst growing up with cats I also had pet fish and I remember when I was younger I found watching the fish move and swim in the water would really calm me if I had had a stressful day at school!

In response to: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

AdgeSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Yep, hearing my canaries & finches singing in the morning - is the best sound to wake up to.

I can even hear the canaries that are outside (in aviary), from inside the house.

Squeaker the Cockatiel sings a special tune, when he wants my attention - then he walks up & down the perch, looking at my face.

Squeaker loves looking at human faces, he follows your eyes - strictly no touch though. Try to touch Squeaker, & he hisses at you.

Adge

In response to: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Big storm here powers out so internet is droppin in and out as well and phone runnin low on battery. Hopefully will be back on soon

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

@Adge I can only imagine how lovely that sound would be to wake up to!

You also raised another point I think worth noting in terms of the positive impacts of animals- which can be boundaries. Something around learning another beings boundaries from small steps and non-verbal queues can sometimes help us relate that skill in the real world - has anyone felt that before?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Funny you should say that about fish @Former-Member . I never had fish as a kid on the farm. But as a little kid I can recall Mum taking me into town for a dental checkup. In the waiting room was a big fish tank with lots of tropical fish. I found it quite calming to watch them while waiting 'for the inevitable dental drill to come'.

Now I have a garden fish pond with a couple of fish and a fountain etc. Again I find it calming to sit and watch with a cuppa in hand.

Sorry I am a bit behind with convo, slow on mobile phone.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

No worries @outlander - hopefully the connection stays okay but hoping you are okay with the storm around you. Stay safe!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

AdgeSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Woo Woo the Cockatiel was called Woo Woo - because he Wolf-Whistled.

Someone had taught him to do that Woo Woo sound.

I found him (someone's escaped pet) & had him for several years.

Woo Woo liked to sit on my shoulder & eat some of my Weet Bix out of my breakfast bowl (whilst I was eating it).

He also liked to eat 2 minute noodles out of my bowl too.

Ratty the white Rat used to hide in my coat pocket (whilst I was wearing it) - he stuck his head out for a piece of cheese.

Adge

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Thats a lovely story @Former-Member - yes fish can be so calming in their quiet way.

Tonight is moving quickly with a big crew of us in here, take your time no need to rush yourself 😊

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

I also have 12 budgies in a large outdoor aviary off our back deck. I hear their cheerful chatter every morning from my bedroom. @Adge @Former-Member

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

CheerBearSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday //The pet effect: animals are good for our wellbeing! // Tues 18 Feb, 7pm AEDT

That made me smile to imagine your connection with Squeaker @Adge even as a 'look but no touch' connection.

It's really hard to think of specific examples when there are so many @Former-Member. Recently I was unwell and lying on the lounge on my tummy feeling very sad and sorry for myself. My Mouse cat crawled on to my back and put her head high up on my shoulder and one of her paws down towards my face. It was like she was reaching out to me to let me know I wasn't alone and she was sitting with me through it. I found it so comforting.

I'm on the floor at the moment as she is ealking around banging her head into my face wanting kisses. I think she knows I'm talking about her 😁❤
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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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