How Dogs Are Saving the Sanity of Gen Z and Their Grandparents

Between doomscrolling, burnout, and an overwhelming fear of the future, Gen Z is barely holding it together.

- BY SANUTHI HERATH

And on the other side of the family tree, our grandparents are often tucked into quiet corners of the house, bored, lonely, and wondering if anyone remembers they once ruled kingdoms of their own. Somewhere in the middle of this generational chaos walks in a dog, tail wagging, eyes wide, absolutely no degree in therapy, yet somehow saving everyone anyway.

As a 20-something running a tiny, garden-based dog daycare (which is exactly as chaotic and adorable as it sounds), I've seen this happen over and over. Young adults like me, my best friend, and her siblings - people who can't sleep at night - come alive when a snorty, chubby Labrador sits beside them. Older folks in our neighborhood who haven't smiled in days light up when a dog drops a tennis ball at their feet like it's a precious gem. I didn't set out to observe emotional transformations. But now I can't unsee it; dogs are quietly doing more emotional labor than most humans I know.

For Gen Z, It's Burnout and Bork Bork