Dependability — When there is external chaos going on around you, knowing you have that pet that will always be there and happy to see you, may give you the security you need.

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 Tracy McHugh.

Tracy is from New Jersey originally but has lived in Miami, Sarasota, Tampa, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Her furry friends Mia and Caela have accompanied her on many of these moves. She would never leave without a plan that included them.

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?

I grew up in a tiny town in North Jersey. I say North Jersey versus New Jersey, because if you are from New Jersey, you know North and South Jersey are two different places that produce two different types of people.

I grew up in a very stereotypical suburban town. Cul-de-sac, 2.5 kids, knew most people from our town. One of my earliest memories was begging my parents for a dog. After much perseverance, I received a goldfish (which unfortunately passed away pretty immediately). When I asked for a dog again, we got 2 hamsters that were magicians and regularly escaped from their cages. By my 3rd dog request, I got a cat. Not a dog, but definitely closer. Finally, when I was 14 years old my parents gave in and adopted a Havanese puppy (think a mix between a Maltese body with a Poodle white fur).

I think this story shows that I don’t give up until I get what I want, even if it takes 14 years. That and I love animals.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

It would probably be at my last job in Los Angeles. I had a pretty big account hosting an event. They were having a celebrity speaker come in. Because of my role, I had to interact with this celebrity a bit for logistical reasons. I saw how these people carried themselves and how they interacted with everyone around them. From their assistant to executives, and the wait staff. They were nothing short of classy and respectful at every moment.

It made me realize that you can gain an extreme amount of success and notoriety and still be a good human being.

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?

I have read a lot of books this year, so it is hard to pick just one. I am up to about 180 books at the moment. But one that sticks out in my mind is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It was written in 1936 and is still pertinent and read by so many people to this day. I wouldn’t necessarily say that it was my favorite book of all time, but I appreciate its value and longevity.

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?

The first pet I adopted on my own was a tabby cat named Mia, who is as sassy as she sounds. I adopted her when I was 27. By this point I had been living on my own for several years since college and my career had recently taken a more serious turn versus the jobs I had just been executing until then, so I was spending more time at home and less time out and partying with friends. This was the first real time in my life where I was alone, alone. Not surrounded by my family in my childhood home, my friends in the college dorm rooms, or with my pals 24/7 out on the town. At the time I didn’t love being alone, so I wanted a reason to want to go home and be okay with being alone. As soon as I got Mia, that had all changed. When I went to the Humane Society, I went into the kitten room and was playing with all the little kitties. Like most kittens they were all bouncing around and didn’t want to be held for too long. Then I picked up this one, 2-month-old tabby kitty named Mellow. She just clung to me as I pet her little head. I had a feeling that this was the one, but when I went to put her down and she didn’t want to let go, I knew she was my girl. I love dogs and their affection but knew I didn’t have the bandwidth to take care of a dog at the time. I loved Mia’s affection and attentiveness from the get-go.

She has since moved with me from Miami to Sarasota, to New Jersey, out to Los Angeles, and back to the Tampa area. She has lived in 10 different homes and been on 3 cross country road trips through 27 states. She hasn’t picked a favorite hotel chain yet.

For the remainder of the latest conversation with Tracy and Authority Magazine, check out the rest of the interview.