One of the best things about dogs is their emotional intelligence. They may not be able to speak out loud or give us advice when we need it, but somehow, they just know when it’s most important for them to be there for us. Whether we’re sad, sick, or lonely, somehow, our dogs always know… and it’s hard to imagine better comfort than a sweet paw outstretched to you or a dog putting their head in your lap, letting them know that they are here for you no matter what happens.
Then, there are the dogs who are specifically trained to have that kind of intuition about their humans, like emotional support dogs and service dogs, and in this TikTok video, we get to see one truly shine at what he does.
@radiantlygoldenwe truly dont deserve dogs 😭 #servicedog #servicedogsoftiktok #servicedogteam #goldenretriever #mentalhealthawareness ♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson
As @radiantlygolden explained in this TikTok video that was shared on Wednesday, September 4, when her service dog, a five year old Golden Retriever named Forest, heard her crying in the next room, he wasted no time rushing over to be by her side.
As soon as he made it in there, he jumped up on her bed and sniffed her to make sure she was okay before laying down on top of her to show his support. This dog is the best.
In a comment, Forest’s mom wrote, “Forest was trained to respond in this way, but he definitely always paid attention.”
That’s a good boy, Forest — he deserves all the treats! There really is no unconditional love in the world like the kind our dogs give us.
Can dogs sense humans crying?
According to US Service Animals, whether your dog is trained to recognize crying or not, there’s a good chance that they already know what’s happening when they see or hear your tears.
In fact, one study shared by the site revealed that dogs can recognize when their humans are upset, and they feel compelled to do something to help them in those moments. Some dogs even felt distressed themselves seeing someone they love feeling sad (which is so heartbreaking to think about!).
Dogs who are trained as emotional support animals can learn skills like deep pressure therapy (DPT), or putting pressure on their human’s chest to help them calm down when they’re feeling anxious, sad, or otherwise emotional and need a little extra help.
It’s not just a coincidence that dogs seem to know when we’re sad or sick or need a little cheering up — or that they try to make us happy when they do notice. Truly, we do not deserve dogs!
