Farmer's bond with dogs a vital lesson to Australians isolated from work due to COVID-19 outbreak

As Australian lifestyles are disrupted by the coronavirus, the affects of loneliness on mental wellbeing is in the spotlight.

Like many farmers, Dylan Dyer is no stranger to the isolation of working long days without human interaction, but thanks to some special canine mates, he does not feel alone.

The 28-year-old station hand from Dunkeld, in Victoria's western region, relies on his six working dogs for not only herding livestock but also for emotional support.

Mr Dyer has been struggling with his mental health after his father passed away aged 49.

"He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease and he died four years ago. The anniversary has just been," he said.

"We were very close; we went four-wheel driving and camping [and] we're both into farming."

Mr Dyer said the reason he became a farmer was because of his dad, who was his biggest motivator.

"He really supported me when I started off in the agriculture industry. He is a big part of who I am now," he said.

"It's harder to think clearly. I miss my weekly chat with him."

Man's best friend

For Mr Dyer his dogs are more than just coworkers — they are his best mates.

"It gets me up in the morning. I get up an hour before I have to be at work and make sure they're alright," he said.

"If something goes wrong they're always there, getting the stock back in the paddock, and just to have them there is really good.

Outside of the dogs' farm duties, the kelpies provide Mr Dyer with companionship and purpose.

"Some days they don't do any mustering or anything they just sit on the motorbike with me all day," he said.

"I take them for walks on the weekend as well, and it clears my mind to see them happy and running around."

Having the physical contact and interactions with the animals provides a boost to Mr Dyer's days out in the paddocks.

"They're always up for a pat and it's just the happiest feeling," he said.

'Strong sense of connection'

Grant Blashki, lead clinical advisor with Beyond Blue, says animals can serve as vital mental and physical support for people who spend long periods of time without human interaction.

"Farmers spend a lot of time on their own, they've got a lot of stresses, they've often got the worries of the farm and running complex small businesses," he said.

"Having a dog around is great company and I'm not surprised that many farmers become very dependant and very connected to their dogs.

"The physicality of having an animal around, there's just that lovely experience of being able to pat the animal, especially at the moment where there is no physical [human] contact."

As the nation is faced with a tough outlook for the coming months with mental health, Dr Blashki said there is a lot we can learn from farmers' bonds with animals.

"What we've seen with the corona outbreak is that the social isolation has really got quiet amplified for people who are already quiet lonely," he said.

"Another great thing about animals is the simplicity; they don't judge, they're not worried about corona, they're just doing their thing."

Dr Blashki said having a pet in the house can reconnect people with nature, as it is a form of entertainment and companionship that is completely separated from technology.

"We have a very digital world these days and there is something very grounding about spending time with a pet," he said.

"Human beings have had a very long relationship with canines. Evolutionary speaking we go back a long time together and I think there is this strong sense of connection.