Emotional support — my dog gives me non-judgmental companionship. She loves me on my bad days and just her being near, gives me comfort. I also sleep better with her in the bed with me.
Pets have always been more than just companions; they play a pivotal role in enhancing our mental well-being. From the unconditional love of a dog to the calming presence of a cat, pets have a unique way of alleviating stress, anxiety, and loneliness. But how do we truly harness the therapeutic potential of our furry, feathered, or scaled friends? How can they aid in promoting mindfulness, reducing depression, or even enhancing social interactions? In this interview series, we are talking to veterinarians, psychologists, therapists, pet trainers, and other experts who can shed light on how to maximize the mental health benefits of having a pet. As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Temeria Heard.
Temeria Heard was born and raised in Detroit, MI. She is the youngest of five girls, including a fraternal twin sister. She’s always had a passion for entrepreneurship and for the arts and grew up playing classical violin (and still does) and becoming a docent at one of the most prestigious fine arts museums in the country — The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Temeria obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing and her master’s degree in international business. These two degrees have helped her in her entrepreneurial journey as a business owner. Temeria is the owner of Corporate 52 Marketing Group which she founded in 2013. Her clients are some of the largest multinational companies and professional sports teams in the country and her international suppliers and manufacturers span the globe.
In 2019, Temeria founded Swaggles. Swaggles is a Detroit born brand that offers unique paw-branded apparel and accessories for pet parents and their furry friends. It initially started as a passion project and while donating to local animal shelters and being from Detroit, she had the first creative idea with the Detroit design and the dog paw in place of the “O”. Her goal was to have pet parents represent their city and the love for their dogs and it expanded from there with adding the cat paw and the popular design, Can I Bring My Dog? and custom embroidery. Through their sales, each month Swaggles donates to local and national animal rescues, which Temeria finds the most gratifying.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Igrew up in Detroit, the youngest of six girls and I have a twin sister who is 15 minutes older than me. I attended Detroit Public Schools, I received my Masters degree in International Business, but I always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me. That spirit has led me to where I currently am.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
It’s tough to find one specific story, but I’d say the most interesting story is how my tenacity and faith has been constantly tested and I continue to persevere each and every day. Being a business owner comes with many ups and downs and uncertainties. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
A book I recently read was “Inflamed”. It resonated with me because it shares how inflammation in the body is connected to the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the diversity of microbes that live inside each of us. Further explaining in depth, how these things regulate how our brains develop, to how our immune systems function. I don’t consider myself a health nut but I am cautious of what I eat and drink, along with rowing everyday and lifting weights 5 days a week.
And another one for fun is Warner Bros. 100 Years of Storytelling. I’m obsessed with old Hollywood movies (The Golden Age) and how it started and particularly many immigrants that came to the United States, creating a dream and making it happen by building cinema empires. It’s all fascinating.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?
I have an 8 year old bichon frise and her name is Snuggles. She is my heart and I didn’t think I could love something so much! Some people don’t understand the human / animal bond but once you experience it, there’s nothing like it. Snuggles has taught me patience and she calms me. Also she’s funny so I’m always getting a good laugh from her.
While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?
I find that sometimes, people prefer to be around their pets rather than humans. Pets are loyal, always happy to see us and they are truly our best friends. Interacting with pets provides humans with companionship, opportunities to socialize more, especially with other pet parents. Walking our pets allows us humans to get more exercise and walking is good for the mind and overall body. It creates additional bonding time with your pet as well.
Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that rubbing your dog can lower your blood pressure which can bring instant calm? I know that if I’m having a tough day, I think of Snuggles if she isn’t with me and I can’t wait to see her because she brings me so much joy.
In the backdrop of global events like pandemics or natural disasters, how have you seen pets playing a role in alleviating anxiety and providing comfort? Can you share some instances where pets have been integrated into therapeutic practices? How do they complement traditional therapeutic techniques?
Pet ownership is at an all time high. That tells me that people are in need of something to help them cope with things that people may not be able to do. I see more hospitals, senior homes and vets with PTSD and other mental conditions utilizing programs that implement therapy dogs because they bring calm and comfort to people. Even people who didn’t really care for dogs seem to find a smile on their face when they’re around a furry friend. I think in some cases, they can be more therapeutic than some medications. Of course, I’m not saying to not take medication but I do truly believe pets are a natural remedy to the depressed, sick and broken hearted.
Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?
I would say that people have to look at their particular situation and animal they are drawn to and go from there. I’ve seen people with racoons, possums and others that they love and take care of like a traditional domestic pet. I say, whatever makes people happy, do it!
How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?
You can feel like you’re contributing to the care and needs of a living being and that can be gratifying. Taking care of your furry friend / fur baby can give you a sense of purpose and help with anxieties because you can see the difference you are making in their life. There are so many pets that are neglected, abused and in shelters so if you can make a difference in just one animal’s life, it can give you a sense of peace.
The past 5 years have been filled with upheaval and political uncertainty. Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. From your experience or research, what are your “Five Ways To Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet?” Can you please share a story or example for each?
1 . Emotional support — my dog gives me non-judgmental companionship. She loves me on my bad days and just her being near, gives me comfort. I also sleep better with her in the bed with me.
2 . Social interaction — when we are out, everyone wants to stop and talk to us and take a picture with her. People actually think she’s a stuffed animal and have to get closer to see her.
3 . Mindfulness — I have mindful activities with Snuggles like playing hide and seek, which she loves. And she also loves when I playfully chase her around the house. I then fall down as if I hurt myself and she always runs to me and jumps on me and gives me kisses. I love her so much.
4 . Peace and calm — on some of my toughest days, just sitting or laying around with Snuggles brings me peace and joy. Even just rubbing her little head or her back gives me joy.
5 . Lower blood pressure and heart rate — Studies have been shown that when you pet your dog or cat, it can lower your blood pressure and heart rate, and these can reduce your levels of stress. This is definitely the case with my Snuggles, all the above I can totally agree with from experience.
The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?
Yes, it can be devastating. From personal experience, I say cry about the loss as long as you need to; even if it’s everyday for an entire year. There is no deadline or timeframe on grief. I’ve had pet parents share with me that they took time off of work and even joined a grief support group. Many pets can be like a person’s child so when their pet dies, it can be traumatic and sometimes people don’t know what to do with the grief or they feel embarrassed because “it’s just a dog or a cat” as some people say. Well I say, first get away from people that are insensitive and tell you this and surround yourself with people or things that offer comfort and support. And if someone needs time alone to process it all, that is totally okay. Take your time because pet loss can as painful as losing a human.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
The movement would be education and awareness of pet ownership. Educating people that pets are not toys and that they should not be easily discarded. They are living beings with emotions, feelings and personalities. Build a community where people understand the gift of having a pet and cherishing it by creating an environment where people can support each other including the resources from their local animal rescues such as pet pantries and low and no cost for vaccinations and free pet food. Having a pet is truly like having a child. I would also enforce legislation and laws on those who abuse, neglect and show cruelty to animals.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)
I hope this isn’t cliche but I would love to meet with Oprah Winfrey. I once went to her show with my sister and her friends and the producers pulled me aside and placed me in the front row. I was shocked! When she came out during the introduction, she shook my hand and I’ll never forget it. So, it would be Oprah. She is such an inspiration from her challenging childhood to overcoming her struggles as an adult. The obstacles she faced particularly as a black woman and to the empire that she has built is truly inspiring and she loves dogs!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please visit our website and our social media handles below:
Instagram: @swagglesbrand
Facebook @swagglesbrand
Tiktok @swagglesbrand
YouTube @swagglesbrand
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Many thanks, I appreciate it! The same to you!
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
