Silent Sidekicks

08/24/2026

Our own Fern - The Sidekick was featured on UPS Dogs! When she’s not helping people through Animal-assisted Therapy and Activities, she has an office job and LOVES package delivery time.

Fern is always excited when her favorite UPS driver, Erik, stops by! 🐾🤎 Of course, seeing Erik is great… but Fern knows those treats are coming too! 😂🦴

📍 Lincoln, Maine

08/23/2026

A Great-great Grandmother's book on the Human-Animal bond. Published in 1899 with one photo! What an awesome treasure with so much meaning 127 years later!

08/10/2026

Great research! Do they love us or just want treats? What are your thoughts? 🐾

07/21/2026

🐾 Could your pet be the face of petMAINE 2027? 📸

We're looking for an incredible photo of your pet enjoying everything that makes Maine special! Whether they're exploring the coastline, hiking a favorite trail, relaxing by a lake, or taking in the fall colors, we want to see your best shot.

🏆 Enter the 2027 petMAINE Cover Contest for a chance to have your pet featured on the cover of petMAINE and win a gift basket valued at approximately $150!

Before you submit, please remember:
🐾 You must own the rights to the photo or have permission to publish it.
🐾 Photos should be vertical and at least 300 dpi.
🐾 Maine scenery is preferred.
🐾 Include where in Maine the photo was taken.
🐾 Entries close October 30, 2026.

📧 Submit your photo to [email protected]

🌐 Visit petmaine.com for complete contest details.

Contest Terms: By entering the contest, participants acknowledge and agree that submitted photos may be used in print and digital publications associated with petMAINE and Downeast Dog News and may be modified for design or production purposes.

07/12/2026

Looking for some fun hikes to do with your dog? Check out some of these great places in Maine.

From roadside chutes to backcountry cascades, tiny slides to dramatic plunges, here’s where to find our faves.

07/11/2026

Sidekick Scoop: A recent study shows that the human-animal bond can play a valuable role in the recovery of people with substance use disorders.

Read more about the study: https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0029

07/10/2026

Fern - The Sidekick hopes that all her students are enjoying their Summer Vacation!

07/03/2026

HAI Section Research 🔎
Can emotional support animals truly help adults managing serious mental illness? 🐶🐱✨
This pilot study explored how adopting a shelter dog or cat as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) through the Hope and Recovery Pet (HARP) program impacted adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Here is what the data showed:
Real Emotional Relief: Participants experienced significant reductions in their reported levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness after welcoming their companion animal.
Positive Biological Trends: After just 10 minutes of interacting with their ESA, participants showed a consistent pattern of increased oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and decreased cortisol (the stress hormone), though these biological changes did not reach full statistical significance.
Firsthand Benefits: At the conclusion of the 12-month study, qualitative feedback showed that participants directly attributed their improved mental health and overall well-being to their pets.
A Case for Continued Support: The findings highlight how valuable a shelter pet can be to a person's psychological recovery, emphasizing the need for continued research into ESAs as a structured mental health support.
https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2022.0016

07/03/2026

Stay cool this Summer! 🐾😎

06/28/2026

Which petting technique do you use? 😂