Therapeutic Nature of Animals

The novel Stay demonstrates how therapeutic animals can be for people who are dealing with depression or loneliness. For instance, Lucas’ depression is relieved when he begins running with Zoe’s dogs. When Lucas is upset by the circumstances under which his brother came home from Vietnam, he finds comfort in the unconditional love he receives from the dogs. Connor’s kitten relieves the stress in his house with her clownish antics, making Connor and his mother laugh for the first time in months.

Lucas is overwhelmed by stress as a result of his parents’ arguing, his fear his brother will be killed in the war, and Connor’s depression when he meets Zoe’s dogs. Right away, Lucas begins to feel better when he starts running with the dogs. He describes the feeling he gets from running as “that tingly, delicious sense...