Golden Doodle Helped Me Through Rehab
By Brad Neil
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be writing about my time in rehab instead of cranking out hot takes for VICE News, I would have laughed in your face. But life has a funny way of humbling you. One wrong step—literally—was all it took to derail everything I thought I had under control.
In the winter of 2021, I slipped on a patch of ice while visiting an old college fling in Minneapolis. Not a particularly dramatic fall, but enough to mess up my lower back and sciatic nerve. A few doctor visits later, I had a prescription for painkillers. Seemed harmless enough at first. No longer was I some reckless college kid looking for thrills—I was a guy with a legit injury, just trying to get through the day. Fast forward three years, and I was fully in the grip of an opiate addiction I never saw coming.
By March 2024, I was done. Sick of the cycle, sick of feeling like a shell of my former self, sick of watching my world shrink down to a bottle of pills and the desperate search for more. I knew I had to get help, but there was one major obstacle—Martha. My golden doodle. My ride-or-die. The one living creature that had stuck by me when everyone else had either drifted away or cut ties for their own sanity. The thought of leaving her behind made rehab feel impossible. Then, I found a place that changed everything.
A Rehab That Actually Felt Like Home
I won’t lie—when I first heard about a pet-friendly rehab in Los Angeles, I was skeptical. It sounded a little too good to be true. Rehab, in my mind, was supposed to be sterile, clinical, and honestly, a little miserable. The idea that a place could combine real addiction treatment with an environment that didn’t feel like a punishment? Unheard of. But the second I walked in, Martha trotting nervously beside me, I knew this was different. This place was nice. But I’m not talking about “nice for rehab” nice—I mean straight-up mansion vibes. The kind of place you’d see in a magazine spread about luxury retreats. High ceilings, cozy common areas, and an indoor pool that looked like it belonged in a resort. It felt less like I was checking into a facility and more like I was stepping into a place designed for healing. Perhaps the best part? Besides the fact my insurance literally covered 100% of my my stay, there was no judgment. No cold stares. No condescending lectures. The staff there got it. They weren’t just addiction specialists—they were people who understood the messy, complicated, deeply personal nature of recovery. And they understood that for some of us, pets weren’t just a comfort—they were a lifeline.
Martha: My Unexpected Recovery Coach
Having Martha with me from day one changed everything. Rehab forces you to face yourself in ways you never have before. There’s no numbing, no running, no distractions. Just you, your thoughts, and a long road ahead. That can be terrifying. But waking up each morning and seeing Martha curled up at the foot of my bed gave me a sense of normalcy I desperately needed. Instead of rolling over and dreading the day, I had a reason to get up. She needed food. She needed to go outside. She needed me—and for the first time in a long time, I started realizing that I needed her, too.
They say routine is crucial in early recovery, and having a dog naturally builds one. Mornings started with a walk around the property, just me, Martha, and the crisp Jersey air. It became my meditation before the day’s work—group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and workshops designed to untangle the mess addiction had made of my brain. Then when things got hard—because trust me, they did—she was right there. No matter how raw or drained I felt after a tough session, Martha was there to nuzzle into my side, tail wagging like she somehow knew I needed reassurance.
Group Therapy—With a Side of Dog Cuddles
If you’ve ever been to therapy, you know that opening up can feel like pulling teeth. Talking about your worst moments in front of strangers? Not exactly easy. But for some reason, having a few dogs sprawled across the floor made it feel... less scary. Martha wasn’t the only pet here. A few other residents had dogs, and one guy had the cutest Siamese cat, they became unofficial therapy assistants. There’s something about being able to reach down and scratch a soft head while admitting out loud that you’ve hit rock bottom that makes it easier to say. It takes the edge off, makes the space feel safer. One night, during a particularly intense group session, someone broke down talking about how he’d lost everything—his job, his marriage, his sense of self. His dog, a scrappy little terrier named Milo, jumped right into his lap, licking his face like he was trying to wipe the sadness away. The entire room cracked a smile. It was a reminder that healing isn’t just about fighting through the pain—it’s about finding joy again, even in the smallest moments.
Rebuilding a Life—One Wagging Tail at a Time
Rehab wasn’t just about getting clean. It was about figuring out how to live again. Between therapy sessions and recovery meetings, there were little things that made a big difference—movie nights, shared meals, walks with Martha and the other dogs. Slowly, the fog started to lift, I started feeling human again, and Martha? She thrived there also. She made friends. She soaked up all the extra attention from staff and residents. She reminded me, every single day, of the life I wanted to build—one where I wasn’t controlled by addiction, one where I showed up for the people (and animals) who counted on me.
Now, nearly a year later, I’m still sober. March 2025 will mark one full year of living without opiates or any mood altering drinks or party favors. It hasn’t been easy. Some days are still tough. But every night, when Martha curls up beside me, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come. If you’re struggling and thinking about rehab, but the idea of leaving your pet behind is holding you back—don’t let it. There are places out there that understand, places that welcome the bond between humans and their animals as part of the healing process. This place saved me. And thanks to Martha, I never had to go through it alone.
To learn more about rehab centers and sober livings that allow pets near you give us a call or fill out the simple contact form here. We're here to help every step of the way!
