My Dog, My Healer: Breaking Cycles, Flying Freely, and Making Mental Health Normal in a Latine Household
How a Golden Retriever named after a Marvel tree helped me ditch plane meds and show up for my life—fully present and unmedicated.
When I named my Golden Retriever Groot, I was paying homage to the Marvel hero—the tree-like protector with three words and an endless well of loyalty. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Groot throws himself into danger to protect his people. That’s exactly what my Groot does for me, every single day.
He just does it a little more…fluffy.
Groot is my psychiatric service dog, trained to help me manage anxiety and PTSD, especially when I’m flying. He helps me stay present, grounded, and safe. He lets me travel for work again. Be fully there for my kids. Function in a world that often overwhelms me.
And that? That’s revolutionary! Not just for me, but for the culture I come from.
