Veterinarian Explains How Pets Affect Your Emotional and Social Development with Dr. Georgia Lambrou | | EP 16

Do Pets Really Have Influence on Your Mood and Overall Well-Being? 

Dr. Georgia Lambrou, with her rich background in veterinary science, explores the therapeutic effects of pets on our lives. But it's not just about the feel-good factor. She also tackles the practical aspects of pet care, addressing common misconceptions and providing valuable advice on health care and the importance of vaccines. 

Through her personal experiences and professional insights, Dr. Lambrou unravels the profound bond between humans and animals. And if you are contemplating bringing a pet into your life, this episode is a must-listen.

Chapters:
10:50 - The Truth About Neutering and Vaccinating Pets
15:45 - How Pets Affect Your Mood and Stress
19:36 - The Role of Animals in Children's Development
24:29 - Do Owners and Their Dogs Look Alike?
31:47 - Making the Hard Decision of Letting Go of a Pet
33:58 - How Pets Connect You to Nature and Self

As a psychophysiologist specializing in stress and anxiety, Dr. Ioannou adds depth to the conversation by linking the incredible impact animals have on your emotional and psychological health. 

Join us on an episode that is sure to resonate with every animal lover and provide you with a compelling reason to bring a pet into your life.

Press play, and you might find yourself with a new companion by the end.

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Transcript

Hélène Ioannides [00:00:00]:

Welcome to Health Pod, your self development hub

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:00:02]:

on mental health, psychology, and spirituality. Animals become an extension of a family.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:00:10]:

I really believe myself personally that people who care for animals and and show Affection, they they are also people who really care about people.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:00:22]:

And what is fascinating me is the symbiotic relationship that humans have with animals.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:00:28]:

When I'm just feeling down or too stressed or something, I knew that my dogs were at home. I would just sit with them and cuddle them and just Feel better.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:00:36]:

You believe that your, your pets have played an integral role Yes. In your success also academically. Right? Yes. For sure. I'm here today with doctor Dr. Georgia Lambo, our favorite beautiful vet that is here with us today to share her knowledge in regards to the physical health of pets and how Pets can help us in regards to mental health. Dr. Georgia has finished her studies in the Czech Republic. And in fact, she comes from a long lineage of vets. Check this out.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:01:22]:

Her dad used to be the vet of our favorite zoo in Limassol, where most of us have shared our childhood memories. Stay tuned and enjoy. We're here today with, doctor Dr. Georgia or doctor Gio as I would like to call her. And we also have 2 new guests. What are their names?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:01:48]:

This is Chicky, and this is Alicia.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:01:51]:

Hi, Chicky.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:01:52]:

Yes. And, I've had them since I was studying vet school when I was in vet school, actually, so they went through the whole thing with me, and now back in Cyprus with me and part of the family with My daughter too.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:02:04]:

Okay. Okay. They're beautiful dogs. They're beautiful dogs. What type of breed are they?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:02:11]:

They're not a purebred. Actually, they're a mix. And, they have chihuahua in them, and Their colors are coming from a breed the Australian shepherds. So she's a blue merle and she's a chocolate merle Color.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:02:26]:

Very interesting. And just by having them on me right now, I feel way more relaxed and more in tune with myself and my body. And

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:02:35]:

It really helps when you need to calm down and or when you're stressed or in your difficult moment, like, just having them with me on me Just makes me feel more comfortable.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:02:46]:

Do do you do you find that people that have pets Mhmm. And, I would say particularly dogs Mhmm. Are more kind or more loving or more relaxed.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:02:58]:

I really believe myself personally that people who who people who care for animals and and show affection, they they are also people who really care about People. You know? I really strongly believe that because I've seen people who, Who don't like let's say they don't like animals and they don't wanna come close to them. And I've seen how they are also as as a people Person, you know, like, I really believe that actually there's yes. That, people that have a connection with animals are actually true people With with

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:03:35]:

feelings. I I completely understand because if you feel connected to nature, You also you can also feel connected to something bigger, greater. So you understand in a way this collective consciousness that exists in the world. And if you can show compassion and love in an organism that is not a human, cannot speak, then you can also maybe Empathize with a human. I'll try and empathize sometimes because it's not always easy. Now, Dr. Georgia, what has led you to become a vet?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:04:13]:

For sure, a big part of it is the family. My dad being a veterinarian, my mom being a Groomer, a dog groomer, living this life on a daily basis, growing up in this lifestyle, and Just living around all these kind of animals, because we didn't only have dogs and cats as children. We also had, ponies and Chickens. We had, like, a little farm. So for us to wake up every morning and have to be responsible for these animals, Made me feel that I really want to have this responsibility in my hands, you know, and, having the opportunity to raise little kittens, bottle feed them, and see them Grow and eat for them eat by themselves later on made me feel this kind of satisfaction that said, I think I really wanna do this. I really wanna, make these make different animals healthier, better, and give them discomfort. Right.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:05:12]:

So you kind of find your calling Yeah. Very quickly through your childhood. Right? Yes. You develop this love, and this love has driven you to be doing what you're doing today.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:05:21]:

For sure. Yes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:05:22]:

And you're doing it exceptionally. So tell me a little bit more about, This this journey of yours in your childhood. So you said that as a child, I used to Look after other animals in our yard. So it taught you responsibility.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:05:42]:

Yes. I remember I remember, like, I remember I really, really wanted, to have a horse, and, I think it was a bit crazy. My parents are like, no. You can't have Horse is a big responsibility and everything. And we had a friend that she actually gave me as a present, a pony. So We I got what I wanted. It was much smaller, of course, but it was something that I really wanted. And I said my parents were like, okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:06:05]:

This is your responsibility. Before you Go to school in the morning, you have to wake up, go there, clean, feed, and take full responsibility. So this is what I used to do. I used to wake up earlier. I used to go in In the in the where we had the pony, yes, in the field. And then we I used to sit and do everything I had to do. Amazing. Then go Take a shower, get ready for school, and go to school.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:06:28]:

So this, for sure, is something that's It was very, very, special for me. And not only that, I think I really liked also helping other, Helping I I like also helping other people because we had also, some children in the neighborhood, some kids in the neighborhood, and they and they really liked Seeing these animals that we had, so I used to they used to come over in the weekends and we used to do things together. And I like just Being part of it all.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:07:00]:

Right. So it was also kind of a a bonding Yes. Excuse between people. And What I notice now, especially that I'm a I'm a parent, is that and also when I had a dog, it was people used to stop to pet the dog. Yes. And, it's an easy conversation starter

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:07:19]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:07:20]:

Between people. And now, okay, I have kids. And if other People have kids, then, there is also an excuse.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:07:28]:

I think it's a good way to socialize. I mean, people, especially with social anxiety and all That, you know, like, it's a way to start a conversation and to get to know somebody. This is I think this is also that something's going on right now with Me as being a veterinarian, I don't just like connecting with animals, but I like connecting with the people. Mhmm. I like it when I have, like, New customers or people that I've known for a long time just to I know their story. You know, every time they come, I have, elderly people come in. I like to ask them about how they are, where they've been on holiday. And I remember everybody, everybody's story.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:08:04]:

And I like to just Communicate with people and to have these little kind of friendships through work.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:08:11]:

How what is the best way to go about adopting A pet. What what is it for you? It's like we see many people, let's say, finding stray cats Mhmm. And taking them in. Mhmm. Or, having some cats in the neighborhood and they're feeding them.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:08:30]:

Yes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:08:31]:

What is do Do you see any problems in regards to that?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:08:37]:

You mean in just feeding them or do you mean just

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:08:40]:

Just in feeding them and taking them in their there are stray cats. Do they carry any diseases? Regarding cats, especially.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:08:47]:

Yeah. Feral cats.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:08:48]:

Feral cats. Yes.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:08:49]:

Okay. No. I think for sure that we need to help These feral cats, for sure. I mean I mean, there are the good things and the bad things. The the good things is that, you know, in Cyprus, we have so many cats for a specific reason. The cats were brought into Cyprus to protects, to protect us from the pests like snakes, rats, and all these kind of Yes. Mhmm. And, the the not the bad thing, but what we should really watch out before taking in a feral cat is The diseases that these cats have, because unfortunately, these feral cats do spread a lot of diseases.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:09:26]:

We have Disease the common diseases that we have is, is a feline immunodeficiency virus, the feline leukemia virus. Now Now we have an epidemic issue with, feline coronavirus, which has not which is not contagious to humans, but is a very big Problem going on right now. And, I think when someone to decides to take in a feral cat, the first thing they should do is for sure visit their veterinarian, Get the cat checked out. Do the correct blood test which are needed or anything else which is needed to make sure this cat is healthy. Because if They take this feral cat in and they take it home and they have another cat, which is healthy. It can affect the healthy cat.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:10:07]:

What are some common misconceptions that people have in regards to their pets.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:10:12]:

There are 2 basic misconceptions. Number 1 is not wanting to neuter their pets.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:10:18]:

Okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:10:18]:

Not wanting to neuter because they feel sorry for them and they want to give them the chance to Give birth get pregnant and give birth to other kittens or puppies, which I understand that completely, but Not neutering them at all could be another big problem, especially in females causing mammary gland tumors or, POEMETRA with which is infection of the uterus.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:10:45]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:10:46]:

Also in male dogs, prostate tumors.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:10:49]:

Okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:10:50]:

So not wanting to to neuter your pets can cause other problems later on. Another misconception is something which has been going on for the last few years. There are many, Pet owners that don't wanna vaccinate their animals. I understand them and I respect why they might think like that. Why? Because people think more holistic nowadays. Okay? And they want more natural stuff, and they don't wanna over vaccinate their dogs or their cats. I understand that Why they don't wanna do it? But I think we have to start we have you have to it it's not right not to vaccinate them Because, they they don't have an immunity, and you need to develop their immunity. And they need to be vaccinated against specific Diseases.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:11:43]:

It's not fair. Like, we have also a pet hotel.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:11:46]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:11:47]:

And, before any animal enters the hotel, we always make sure that All pets that come in have been vaccinated against specific diseases, are worms, feed, and ticked, and all that kind of stuff. It's not fair. Let's say if I if my dog was vaccinated and yours wasn't, for your dog to get sick

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:12:08]:

Absolutely.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:12:08]:

Because it's not vaccinated and it has a low immunity.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:12:11]:

Wow. I'm amazed by the level of professionalism that exists in, The hotel because these are some things that potentially as a dog owner, I wouldn't think about that.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:12:23]:

Yes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:12:24]:

My My pet hotel would go into this process of checking for vaccines or ticks or because, yeah, it's contamination. It's cross contamination, right, from, from dog to dog. You mentioned something about holistic Yes. Treatment. What is I mean, I understand.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:12:45]:

This is like the alternative. There are treatments that there are. Look. I don't. I I believe this is more like preventative care. And when we say Okay. Alternative treatments and therapies, yes, we mean something like holistic Medication like, like like supplements. Yeah.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:13:02]:

And we usually use that as prevention. It's like turmeric, netzel, aronia berries, amla berries, which can be added to a dog's nutrition.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:13:12]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:13:13]:

Okay. There are not many people who believe in this. There are some people who do believe in this. I personally am both sides because I've tried it with my pets. And I believe that if there's anything wrong with a dog or a cat and it needs treatment, yes, it needs Specific treatment that the veterinarian that the vet says that you need to take. But at the same time, it can be combined with these holistic, supplements. I I've tried them with my dogs myself, and I believe in these kind of things. So It also depends also on the owner.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:13:50]:

You have to somehow, see the character or what this owner believes in, and you have to satisfy them and Go with them and try to help them out and then decide on what's the best thing to do with their pets. Another Alternative treatment, let's say, is also physiotherapy nowadays.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:14:09]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:14:10]:

So we have many dogs with elderly dogs with arthritis and Pain in their back. So many people before many years ago used to just give anti inflammatories and painkillers. Nowadays, you can start doing physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and all these kind of things, which really do help in the mobility of the joints and to lower pain levels.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:14:36]:

Type of approach at your, center?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:14:39]:

Not right now. Not right now. But there are People that we other physiotherapies that we refer animals to. But, yes, I think for me, the best thing is just preventative care before we even get to treatment. So holistic, again, and physiotherapy are the things I I also do believe in. Again, if the owner doesn't believe in these kind of things and I get a feeling that don't carry on talking about these things, I won't. And then I'll just Do what they need to hear.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:15:09]:

Yeah. I understand you. By holding your dog over here, I realized that, I'm feeling more relaxed.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:15:17]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:15:17]:

I feel more connected to myself. I can feel the touch of her of her skin, and, I get all these sensations of, of love and calmness. And because I've read some studies that, when you have animals or dogs, Yes. It reduces your blood pressure. Mhmm. And that's something very nice to know that this This give and take relationship that you have with your animals, what's your take on this?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:15:45]:

I also feel the same way that you say. Like, when I just When I'm not well one day or when I I don't when I'm just feeling down or too stressed or something, thing. I I also used used to feel this when I was studying abroad. Like, I went home. I was stressed out from my exams or something like this. I knew that When dogs were at home, I would just sit with them and cuddle them and just feel better in in seconds. You know? It's just By for them being there, just by touching them and everything, it's it's proven that your levels of serotonin, Dopamine and oxytocin do rise, and this helps to also to lower the the happy hormones, but it does lower the heart rate also And the blood pressure.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:16:27]:

Cortisol levels. Yes. So you you believe that your, your pets have played an integral role Yes. In your success also academically. Right?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:16:37]:

Yes. For sure. I mean, I I this, especially Chikki and Alicia, they were the the they used to sleep With me.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:16:44]:

Okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:16:44]:

And it just made me feel sleep even better. I had better sleep at night, you know. I Oh,

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:16:49]:

I see.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:16:50]:

Yes. It it I think it's just but you have to believe in it also. You're if you're animal person, then you will feel these things. If you're not and you're just some kind of person, If you put pressure on me, if I don't like animals and you put pressure on me, stroke her, stroke her, or do something, you will not feel it. I think it's You need to just give the chance, you know, for for someone to get this feeling.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:17:14]:

Absolutely. In my studies, because I'm also been A big nature lover. I am a big nature lover. In fact, I've grown up with documentaries of, Attenborough, and I'm still studying. And every now and then, I get a national geographic, and I read about animals. And what is fascinating me It's the symbiotic relationship that humans have with animals. We see the symbiotic relationship between the human and the dog, and that the the gut, microbiota of a dog and a human, it's more or less similar. And this has been proven from ancient times and shows the development, let's say, of this bond Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:17:57]:

Between A dog and a human. Obviously, they were hunting together. They were protectors. So humans needed them in their life. And and something else that Absolutely fascinated me is that studies have shown that humans that were raised in an environment where there were farms close by, like, sheep farms or cattle farms. They had better immune system Yes. Than people that were completely away from any form of animals. I don't know the scientific explanation behind the

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:18:35]:

I can't see the scientific, but I I I actually personally believe it because I I grew up like this too. You know, like, running barefoot in the in the in the field, you know, like, falling down, having my dogs lick my face, and And all these kind of things, sleeping with my dogs. And I think it it it does strengthen your immune system. Oh, okay. I understand You have to be careful at a certain point. But, I mean, having growing up with animals and getting all these antibodies and everything for sure strengthens In your immune system.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:19:10]:

Absolutely. Because you're at the end of the day, the more exposure you have on pathogens or bacteria, the better your immune system becomes. It's like you have a an in house vaccination system Mhmm. That is gonna expose you to a variety of viruses or bacteria in which if you take it in small doses, Your organism can cope and then create, certain antibodies. Right?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:19:36]:

Except from this all immune the immune system and everything, I think it's very Important for many children to grow up like this. Like, with my daughter now, of course, I'm being careful with her Because she comes to it. She comes to work with me some days, and we have different kind of animals there. And she wants to touch them all, and she wants to play with them, and she wants to all them and everything. I I give her this opportunity. I can't take it away from her because this will not make her feel, She she'll feel scared after, and she won't feel, I don't know what's the right word to say, but,

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:20:10]:

Hesitant or, avoidant.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:20:12]:

Yes. But I want her to decide for herself. And if I think that it's something dangerous, of course, I will explain to her. And then she touches all these animals, And she goes into the into the farm, and then she goes and picks up with her hands the eggs from the chickens. I know they might at that time, it's dirty, but she gets antsy. I wash her hands, you know. I'm I'm not Not I am careful with her,

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:20:32]:

you know, and she's so happy about it because she gets to experience all these kind of things. She goes with her little basket and she goes and picks up the eggs and brings them. She goes and feeds the tortoises and and, She likes to do these things. It gives her comfort. And I think it's something that, that makes her who she is in the for the future.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:20:55]:

Now you said tortoises here.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:20:56]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:20:57]:

And I've read that, I I don't know if I've read correctly or if this is a myth that on the on the shell of the tortoise. There's salmonella virus.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:20:53]:

Yes. This is why I'm telling you that I I I watch her I watch my daughter and I wash her hands whenever she touches these kind of mouths. I'm also careful with this. It's true. So this is why whenever I have a tortoise come in at the clinic for That you need something. I always wear gloves for this reason. But, it doesn't mean that you'll get it. But I'm just being, careful Just not to catch anything like that.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:21:40]:

Yeah. Dr. Georgia, can you tell us a bit more? So you see a variety of animal behavior Mhmm. On in your clinic. Mhmm. How can someone recognize whether or not a dog is aggressive?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:21:55]:

I don't I will talk about myself right now and not about how can you see if a dog is aggressive. Okay. For sure, you can realize if a dog is, showing his teeth or is growling or see or is taking a step back and is looking at you, You know, and you can see there is specific animal behaviors where you can see these kind of things. But personally, sometimes they won't show you these things. Sometimes they're a bit, Let's say it's a bit tricky. Sometimes they're scared and they're not they're scared and they're not aggressive. So they might go and go try to go for you Just because they're scared.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:22:32]:

Okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:22:32]:

So we we're not saying they're aggressive at this point. But I personally I'm I'm not saying that I have this thing, but I feel that I have a connection with animals because I grew up with them. And I feel that I can handle Cats and dogs might in my own way. Like, I don't I wouldn't wanna sedate a cat just to take a blood sample. I I I know when I see a cat or a dog, I will tell my vet nurse, look. This dog doesn't need a lot of handling. Just hold it gently. Okay.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:23:03]:

He doesn't like because if you do it, you won't get the risk you won't get what you want. And I have this feeling when I when I see the animals, when I touch them. You know, I I can see this cat is scared. Okay. Just keep her in the box and we'll do this and this and that. I wanna keep them in their comfort zone at the same time, and I don't wanna put pressure on them. And I think the clients like this at the same time because they see that you understand

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:23:25]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:23:25]:

Their pet, and it's very important for them. So I I for me, like, I I'm not saying that other people don't have this feeling, but I personally feel that I have this feeling and I have a good Connection with animals. Like, I know when they will be in pain. I know when to when I'm examining them, if this animal is okay to be examined pace and when this animal needs to be examined in a much slower pace and give them breaks and give them time and Just wait for the right time to do what you need to do.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:23:54]:

So through your experience, you've learned whether or not an animal is gonna be aggressive, and you're trying to Keep them in their comfort zone. Mhmm. So something in regards to your personal take on the dog owners that you see.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:24:10]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:24:10]:

At your clinic. Do you find that people choose pets or dogs that they look like them? Do you find that dogs because sometimes I see people on the in the street, and I see their dogs. And I see them, and I'm like, Oh my god. They look alike.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:24:29]:

I I I don't know if they picked them or if they it just happened, but I I I also I have also seen a lot of Owners that look like their dog. And it's kind of funny because I don't know how that can happen, but There's not many, but I've seen a lot of, a lot of people that look like their owner a lot of dogs that look like their owners, you know. I've seen it was funny, actually. I had some my dad had a client long time ago, and the dog was a Pekingese. And I don't know. The woman looked like she had the same kind. Like, it was it was yeah. It was but it's nice.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:21:53]:

You know, it's like they they're connecting or something. But it yes. There are. There are some. Or you see big bodybuilders with bullmastiffs, you know, and they're walking around, and it's like the same thing. But I don't think that, I think it's just coincidence. They get picked like that and they look alike.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:25:25]:

Do you find that dogs can, really become helpers when it comes to the medical Professional or the mental health industry. Because sometimes I'm thinking of getting a dog in the in the office to help people with their anxiety.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:25:42]:

Yes. I I think it can really, really help, you know. And even with people who don't really believe in these things, I think it will really help them. We've seen a lot of peep a lot of chill it really helps children come out more and speak more and, express themselves more and feel more comfortable. It's helped, for sure people with depression. And I think it just gives people, let let's say the responsibility of having something to do every day, getting out of bed, taking my dog for a walk, Having to feed my dog and do things because it you have to move on. You know? I I actually, When I was setting back in the Czech Republic, I had another dog. Unfortunately, she passed away, but I had Alicia with me.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:26:33]:

So I had to deal with whatever I was going through. And I said, okay. I've got another dog.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:26:39]:

I have

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:25:24]:

to get up. I have to feed her. I have to take her for a walk. Life goes on. Yes. It's not it was a it was a traumatic experience, but it helps.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:26:49]:

The way you're describing this to me, maybe you were mourning about the loss of your dog, or maybe you are going through a low period. I wouldn't we wouldn't call it depression maybe. But, Definitely having responsibility that another life depends on you.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:27:07]:

Yes. This is the most

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:27:09]:

You come out of, your the box in your head, then you start again serving and and really becoming true to your calling.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:27:17]:

Yes. I think it's important because these companions, at the end of the day, they they provide us comfort and safety and Unconditional love. And it's just this is what I say to to many of my, clients. I say, you have 1 dog, get another dog. Is your dog an elderly dog? Just get another dog. Not because I'm saying something's gonna happen, but it's really gonna help you Just to get up the next day, just to carry on, it's it's gonna heal you faster. So I think it's important. Yes.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:27:51]:

Animals do help in these kind of things, and they should be part of our lives.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:27:57]:

Absolutely. And if you look into mythology, If we look into Orion, Orion had also, a dog, and, it was basically the the the hunter's constellation. And This symbiotic relationship or this existence, this coexistence of The human with nature shows us how close we need to be with pets, animals, nature. It teaches us this greater greater awareness about the way that we need to behave towards mother nature. Mhmm. And how essential is for us to, let's say, have someone to look after, but also look after us at the same time.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:28:49]:

Yes. Because because there's many people out there, you know, like, they don't have families. But at the end of the day, they have a dog at home, and this is their family.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:28:58]:

Yeah.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:28:58]:

And, it's very important for them. This is it's very important then for them for this animal to be at home with them, to give them Discomfort and everything. But not only for for these kind of people, but for the children. There are many children which have low confidence or or Or let's say if they get bullied at school or or if they're shy and have social anxiety or something, then they they start getting out there. You know, they'll take their dog for a walk and then There's a kid coming, oh, you have a nice dog. Can I pet him? And then this gives them the chance of connecting with other people and coming out of their, let's say, not comfort zone, but out of their Out of their

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:27:07]:

I understand. Out of their mind, basically, and into their body. Hi, guys. Thank you for watching. I'm doctor Stefano Ioannou, and I'm a psychophysiologist. I specialize on stress and anxiety and also on communication issues between couples. So for those of you that might be facing this type of problems, I provide the link for you below To book your 1 to 1 session with me. See you there.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:30:00]:

What I feel right now with Chicky Yes. Chicky sitting on me is that she's warm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:30:06]:

Yes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:30:06]:

Now if we think a little bit ahead, a hug from a human is warm. Sleeping with your pet in bed is a is a warm body next to you. Yeah. And, There is something that, exists when it comes to anxiety. We have the pressure blankets or the warm blankets Yes. Or putting a warm bottle of water in your on your stomach

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:30:34]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:30:34]:

Which at the end of the day, it mimics The feeling of love. Mhmm. Because love for humans is being felt in the stomach. It's being felt as a warm warm sensation. And this is also something else that pet can give us. Yes. This is good to be aware of. Now you said before That, animals become an extension of a family.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:30:00]:

Mhmm. What happens though because of their lifespan. What happens when you have to let go or you need to take the decision to euthanize them?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:31:14]:

What happens, you mean, regarding to

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:31:16]:

Regarding to the human. How do I mean, what have you seen? Because I suppose you had to take this decision as a vet. And it doesn't come easy.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:31:12]:

No. It's not. I mean, you have to offer the the owners whatever you can. The best service you can. Yes. And you have to explain to them that, At some point, if there's nothing else you can do, there's nothing else you can do. But, okay, you have to find a way in explaining this to them, you know. And and And at the end of day, it's their decision to do.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:31:47]:

I always say to my clients, like, we'll try and do everything we can possible, because I wanna I wanna feel also that I've done everything possible. But once it's not fair on the animal to suffer. You know, if the if the animal can't get up, can't eat, can't go to the toilet, It's not fair on the animal. And then I just tried I I explained to them. You've had this animal for 12 years, let's say. Why don't you just remember all the good memories and just keep that? You know? And wouldn't you want yourself? Wouldn't you want your dog to remember the good memories? Why should he go through this suffering right now, you know, when we know there's nothing unfortunately else to be done? I think it's better just to since we have since we can go through his procedure and let go, Why not do it since it's gonna stop him from suffering? But again, we have to make sure that the people feel that they've we've done everything. You know? We I can't take this decision. It's just a conversation that we have.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:32:53]:

And then, of course, it's up to them to decide however hard it is, you know. But Then they really do think about, have we done everything? Yes. The animal is suffering. Yes. It's time to go, and let's just keep the good times.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:33:07]:

Do we have a a pet graveyard?

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:33:12]:

Yes. There are pet graveyards. So when when an animal passes away, There's an opportunity for them to get, either cremated

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:33:27]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:33:28]:

Where they get The ashes back. And there's a lot of people that do this nowadays, and it's very heartwarming, you know, like, just to have them back with them. Mhmm. They're then either they get cremated and they don't get them back, or they take them home and bury them, Or they take them to specific graveyards which are qualified and, can bury them there. Okay. Yeah.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:33:55]:

Very, very, very interesting discussion.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:33:58]:

Yeah.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:33:58]:

And, what comes now into my mind is that through our animals, we also become more responsible. We get more connected to ourself, to nature. We realize that there is an extension for us, and sometimes pets are the connecting link between because they carry some form of consciousness and emotions. It's the connecting link between us humans and nature because they will respond to us. They will respond to touch, to feeling, to emotions. And, this is something magical. I think a person that Doesn't have a pet or never had a pet in their life, they're missing out.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:34:47]:

They are. And, actually, there are a lot of people which have haven't lived with animals since In their childhood or their early twenties, thirties. And then they have children. Sorry. And their children decide that they wanna have A puppy or a kitten. Mhmm. So the so the The mom the mom decides, okay. Let's get a pet.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:35:15]:

Okay? So they bring the pet in the house, and, and then What happens is at the end of the day, the mom is responsible for this pet. So out of nowhere, this mom gets attached and to this pet where she wouldn't expect that this would there would be this kind of relationship between them.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:35:35]:

Uh-huh.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:35:35]:

You know? And it it's funny because, I know people have who have gone through this, and now they they can't be without their dog. They can't wait till they go home because this is the 1st greeting at home. It's it's always a happy greeting. You know? Happy to see you. No mourning. No nothing. And, you know, it's There's

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:35:55]:

someone waiting for you

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:35:56]:

at the door. Right? So neh. That's right. For these kind of for these people Who've never had pets and they have at some point, I think they've they've never they they then said that Maybe I should have got a pet early from earlier before. But I think that people should at least Get something and

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:36:16]:

And 1 last question before closing. Mhmm. Now we see a lot of exotic animals.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:36:22]:

Yes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:36:22]:

We see reptiles. We see frogs and all sorts of things. Exotic birds. Is a vet trained to look after these exotic animals, reptiles, and

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:36:39]:

You need to treat them.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:36:40]:

Yes.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:36:41]:

So like in human medicine, there are different kind of specialists. We personally are first opinion clinic. So when we have animals that come in and, we can do things at until a certain point, then they need to go to a specialist. So if I if I have, let's say, a rabbit that comes in or, let's say, a turtle or tortoise that comes in where it needs something urgent, I will help it. If I can do what I can do, I will do. But if it needs more care, something that I don't specialize on, then I will refer it, and it will go to a specialist. Because at the end of the day, we wanna give the best care possible. And I will do what I can do the best I can do from my side.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:37:24]:

But from then on, I want the best for the animal, and I will refer it to where it's needed to go.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:37:29]:

That's the best approach because,

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:37:32]:

It's, very important for me for the owners to trust me.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:37:36]:

Mhmm.

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:37:37]:

Because sometimes, yes, things do you need they need They need to have patience sometimes.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:37:42]:

It takes a lot of self awareness, what you're saying, though, right now, Yuri and I. And I really love that about you because You are true to your calling. You are not you're not letting, let's say, ego or Personal gratification or money to satisfy your needs of approval. And you're in fact choosing what is the best strategy for your client and for the pets. So thank you very much

Dr. Georgia Lambrou [00:38:17]:

Thank you too.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:38:18]:

For, being on our podcast. I'm sure it's not gonna be the last time. We We still have a lot of topics to chat about and discuss. So for those of you that have not yet subscribed on our channel, Please do follow us. Do get our updates. Turn that little ring above your account To follow us on any updates in regards to health and in regards to mental health and also the health of your pets. See you soon.

Hélène Ioannides [00:38:48]:

Thank you so much for watching this episode. It's been an absolute pleasure filming it for you guys. If you like the work that we are putting out into the world, please make sure you Like this video and you subscribe to our channel. It really helps the work that we do.

Dr. Stephanos Ioannou [00:39:02]:

And if you would like to follow our journey on our IG accounts as well as learn more about our services, we provide everything for you in the description below. Thanks for watching.