While most employers offer mental health care coverage as part of their health insurance packages, major gaps in care exist. According to new research, many employers aren’t sure how mental health care services are being used by employees.

The 2025 Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) Employer Survey, released Friday, polled professionals at 400 companies with 500 or more employees who made benefits decisions. Mental health coverage was a given almost across the board (97% of respondents said their company offered it), and several companies covered nontraditional programs, like financial therapists (62%) and mindfulness apps (74%).

However, there were also several gaps in coverage. Only two-thirds of companies covered substance use treatment. Only one-third of companies covered ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, and only a quarter covered care for those with “diverse cultural backgrounds and unique employee needs.” Even lower on the spectrum was stigma reduction campaigns that help create an environment that encourages employees to seek mental health care.

Interestingly, the gaps in coverage could be explained, at least in part, by the fact that companies largely aren’t tracking whether their employees are using mental health services. Only 22% analyzed claims data to ascertain how benefits were being used. Likewise, only 37% of employers measured how satisfied employees were with their health care plans overall. 

“Complete and transparent access to claims data enables employers to design benefit programs that truly meet the needs of their employees and their families,” said Margaret Faso, policy director with the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, in a press release. “This study reinforces the importance for employers to continue efforts to achieve transparency to better support the health and wellbeing needs of their workforce.”

However, the survey also found that employers don’t feel that the breadth of mental health care services, pricing, or quality should be their responsibility. Only 10% said that the employer should be responsible for those aspects of care plans, and instead, that responsibility is on insurance companies (28%), federal (30%), and state governments (24%). 

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Life has a way of testing us. Challenges come in many forms, whether it is illness, financial stress, grief, or the everyday weight of responsibility. Through these moments, one constant has carried countless people forward: the companionship of a pet. For dog lovers, this bond often takes on an especially profound meaning. Dogs are not just animals we live with; they are anchors of comfort, partners in resilience, and sometimes, the reason we keep going when the world feels heavy.

The Emotional Weight of Loving a Dog

As a veterinarian, I have witnessed some of the most vulnerable moments between humans and their dogs. I have seen grown military men break down in tears in the examination room, unable to contain their grief at the illness of their loyal companion. I have spoken with pet owners who wished that I could perform miracles when a disease had progressed too far. Delivering bad news is never easy, but watching the way people respond to it drives home just how deep the human-dog connection runs.

These experiences have left a permanent imprint on me. They revealed that loving a dog means opening yourself to joy and heartbreak in equal measure. Yet they also convinced me that, despite the pain, life is richer with dogs by our side.

I carry these lessons into my own reflections on health and hardship. Like so many others, I have struggled with personal challenges. In those moments, the mere thought of having a dog beside me brought both comfort and perspective.

Why Dogs Are Among the Best Pets for Hardship

It is one thing to feel an emotional bond with a dog. It is another to know that science supports what our hearts already understand. Research consistently shows that dogs provide tangible psychological and physiological benefits during times of hardship.

For instance, studies have found that dog ownership is associated with reduced levels of stress and anxiety, as well as lower blood pressure and improved heart health.¹ Dog owners often report increased physical activity and stronger social connections, both of which help buffer against depression.

Dogs are also powerful sources of emotional regulation. Unlike humans, they do not dwell on what could have been or what might come next. They live in the present moment, and that presence can be contagious. When life feels overwhelming, a dog’s steady companionship often helps pull us back into the present moment.

Other Key Insights from Research:

Dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced mortality.²

Interaction with dogs in a senior home resulted in measurable changes to the fingertip temperature of the residents there, strongly hinting at lower stress levels. ³

Pet ownership itself has shown to be beneficial for physical health, which can, in turn, provide mental health benefits too.⁴

In other words, science confirms what many dog lovers intuitively know. Dogs are not only wonderful companions. They are genuine protectors of both mental and physical health.

Learning From the Way Dogs Live

Beyond the science, I have found that dogs teach lessons humans often forget. While people tend to worry about the future or ruminate on the past, dogs focus on the joy of the present. Watching them savor a walk, a treat, or a quiet moment has reminded me to be more present in my own life.

One of my most poignant reflections came after the passing of one of my canine godchildren, a beagle named Lucky. His boundless energy and love of life inspired me long after he was gone. Remembering him encouraged me to work on myself, apologize to those I may have upset, let go of regrets, and focus more on what truly matters.

Dogs may not speak our language, but their way of moving through the world communicates more than words ever could.

Note: Images for this section sent separately; images can be credited to Dr. Luqman (sourced with owner’s permission)

Helping Dogs Stay By Our Side Longer

For anyone who has leaned on a dog during hard times, the natural wish is to keep them healthy for as long as possible. While nothing can guarantee longevity, pet parents can take meaningful steps to improve their dogs’ chances of living long, vibrant lives.

• Nutrition: A balanced, high-quality diet tailored to your dog’s age and needs is foundational. It is one of the most proactive ways that pet parents can cater to their pet’s long-term health.
• Preventive Care: Routine veterinary visits and timely vaccinations are essential for your pet’s long-term well-being. Preventive care is almost always easier, less expensive, and less stressful than treating advanced disease.
• Telehealth Services: Virtual veterinary care has grown significantly in recent years, offering accessible support when questions or concerns arise. Telehealth cannot replace hands-on exams, but it can save time, money, and stress while improving continuity of care.

Investing in these areas is not only an act of love but also an investment in resilience. A healthy dog is more likely to remain a steady source of comfort when life gets tough.

Final Reflections

Hardship is never static. It evolves, ebbs, and flows, often in ways we cannot predict. Facing these challenges can feel daunting. Yet walking through them with a dog by your side can transform the experience. Their presence alone can lighten the burden and help us find moments of joy, even in difficult times.

In the end, perhaps the greatest gift of dogs is not just the comfort they provide but the way they teach us to endure. They remind us that while life may bring hardship, it also brings love, loyalty, and the quiet strength of companionship.

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