After working on the NHS frontline during the pandemic, losing his younger brother Llyr to suicide and campaigning “relentlessly” to improve access to mental health services for young people, Dr Alex George began suffering from burnout himself.
But while medication and therapy have been useful for finding balance and combating anxiety, the 32-year-old has found an additional way to stay grounded – spending time with his 18-month-old cavapoo, Rolo.
“When I got Rolo a year or so ago, it was a very difficult time,” says Alex. “We came off the back of a pandemic where I worked every minute, then my brother passed away, which has been incredibly tough. Having Rolo did save my life in many ways.”
After appearing on Love Island in 2018, Alex used the platform he’d gained from appearing on the reality dating show to share insight into life for NHS staff during the pandemic.
“I worked most days in Lewisham Hospital, probably one of the hardest hit hospitals in Europe, with very unwell people. I saw a lot of dark and difficult things,” he recalls.
Then, in July 2020, Llyr died, aged 19. Alex threw himself into campaigning, which led to his appointment as Youth Mental Health Ambassador for the Government. While it’s something he’s incredibly passionate about, he concedes it can also be, “pretty stressful. I feel a great deal of responsibility”.
Growing up with rescue dogs, Alex knew having a dog of his own would help with his mental health, but working shifts at the hospital made it impossible to contemplate. When he stepped back from working as an A&E doctor in 2021 due to burnout and to focus on his mental health mission, Alex finally had time to bring a puppy home.
“Not being able to have a dog did take away something from my life,” he says. “People talk about loneliness among elderly people, but actually the loneliest generations are in their teens, 20s and 30s. There’s high digital connection but less connection in person.
“Having Rolo reminds me about self-care. He brings me routine, positivity, calmness, there’s no end of benefit. Of course occasionally you can feel frustrated with them but that’s momentary!”
It’s not the first time pets have helped Alex. His childhood dogs – first a spaniel called Sam then a collie-spaniel mix, Kite – offered companionship when he was struggling at school.
“I did have a tricky time at certain points,” says Alex, who has teamed up with pet care brand Purina and Canine Partners, a charity providing assistance dogs for people with disabilities, empowering them with day-to-day independence and companionship.
“I was bullied and found a lot of solace in my dog, Kite.
"Coming home and having that comfort with something that loves you unconditionally was amazing.”
Now he says getting up and out each day with Rolo, as well as his family’s dog, Paddington, when he’s visiting home in Wales, has been a big help.
“Rolo sleeps in the bedroom, so jumps up in the morning and says, right, come on! We get up at about half six and we’re out the door by half seven for a walk. That structure is great.”
A big advocate of getting out and moving to improve mental health, Alex says there’s more to a dog walk than exercise.
“In London, people don’t usually talk to each other. Get a dog, all of a sudden, people chat to you. I go into the coffee shop and everyone says, ‘Rolo, how are you?’ I’m a dog dad now. There’s a real social aspect to it.
“It is important to say, if you’re thinking about getting a dog, make sure you can spend enough time with them. It is a commitment for up to 12, 14 years, hopefully even longer if I’m lucky. I think the rewards are worth it.”
Even without a dog, says Alex, the benefits of spending time outdoors are huge. A year ago he started a podcast called Stompcast, a walk and chat with a new guest each week, complete with the ambient sounds of nature.
“I appreciate not everyone is able to take a walk or get outside, and the podcast is designed as an immersive experience. I’ve had people listening post-operatively, after spinal surgery, and wheelchair users who enjoy it as it gives them an immersive feeling. For those who can’t get into a green space, even watching nature on TV or caring for houseplants can be beneficial.”
Achieving balance in mental health, he says, is a jigsaw puzzle.
“A lot of time we’re looking for one thing as a solution, but in reality, factors can include medication, exercise, movement, sleep, companionship, purpose in life, stress levels. All these things will come into play into how you feel, not just a tablet. If you remove the tablet and it was the only thing you were relying on, it’s going to be difficult.”
For him, Rolo has become a key part of that puzzle.
“My morning walk is essential, one of the top things that maintain me each day, even without Rolo, but he does add to it. Dogs’ emotional intelligence is incredible, their early awareness when you’re stressed or sad. They feel that mood change and react to it. And I think there’s something about caring for an animal that teaches you a lot.
“He cares for me and I care for him. It’s a responsibility, but it’s such a rewarding responsibility to have.”
Purina is celebrating a 20-year partnership with Canine Partners. For more information on the charity, and to help raise funds, go to www.purina.co.uk/changinglives
