Rx: One Dog, Daily – The Rise of Social Prescriptions

What if your next prescription didn’t come from a pharmacy—but from a shelter?

In this eye-opening episode, host Stacie explores the global rise of social prescriptions, a revolutionary shift in healthcare that trades pills for purpose. From the UK’s National Health Service to community health programs around the world, doctors are now “prescribing” activities like dog walking, volunteering, and time in nature to combat anxiety, depression, isolation, and more.

At the center of this movement? Dogs. 🐾

Learn how rescue dogs are becoming powerful agents of change—naturally delivering emotional support, structure, connection, and healing in ways traditional medicine can’t. We break down the science, the stats, and the stories behind this shift, and ask: Why isn’t the U.S. following suit?

This episode dives deep into how The Human-Canine Alliance is bridging that gap—with technology, training, and a vision to make “One Dog, Daily” a real prescription in America’s mental health toolkit.

If you’ve ever believed there’s more to healing than pills, this is your episode.

Resources used in this episode:

• NHS Social Prescribing Overview
• World Health Organization – Loneliness and Social Isolation
• U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness (2023)
• Journal of Public Health (Oxford Academic)
• Pet Partners – Therapy Animal Program & Research
• American Heart Association – Dog Ownership and Heart Health
• Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
• University of British Columbia – Therapy Dog Study

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