If you've never owned a dog, you have no idea what you're missing out on. We're not just talking about unconditional love, cuteness, cuddles, chaos and a whole lot of laughter. There are actual physical and mental health benefits, too.
Firstly, dogs can fill in when your friends aren't around. A survey conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute found that 85% of respondents believe interactions with pets reduces loneliness, while 76% agree human-pet interactions can help address social isolation.
They might even help us live longer. "Studies suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure levels and improved responses to stress," reports the American Kennel Club site. "Research has concluded that the bond between humans and dogs reduces stress, which is a major cause of cardiovascular problems."
Even just a few minutes spent petting a dog can lower your stress levels. That's according to the results of a study carried out by researchers at Washington State University.
"Students randomly assigned to participate in 10 minutes of hands-on interaction with cats and dogs from a local shelter exhibited significantly lower salivary cortisol levels at posttest compared to those who waited in line while observing others..., watched still images of the same animals, and waited quietly without external stimuli," reads that study.
Being around dogs is so calming that some are even "employed" to help military veterans suffering from PTSD.
During one study, researchers from Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that those already living with a service dog exhibited significantly less PTSD severity as well as less anger, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and substance use symptoms than those on the waitlist.
"In conclusion," said the researchers, "results indicate that the placement of a PTSD service dog may have a significant positive influence on both physiological and psychosocial indicators of wellbeing in military veterans with PTSD."
Then you get specially trained emotional support dogs. These are different to service dogs, which are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability."
Service dogs perform tasks like pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button. An emotional support dog, on the other hand, provides a therapeutic benefit (e.g., emotional support, comfort, companionship) to a person with a mental health or psychiatric disability. They don’t need any special training or certifications.
No matter how old (or young) you are, dogs can change your life for the better.
One Japanese study found that pet therapy can help improve depressive symptoms and cognitive function in residents of long-term care facilities with mental illness. The researchers said that self-perceived quality of life among the study's participants was also greatly improved.
A separate study revealed that older people with dementia who received animal-assisted therapy (AAT) showed significant decreases in agitated behaviors. They also had improved social interactions.
The Japanese researchers explained that a relaxing human–animal bond acts on adrenal and other corticosteroid hormones. This causes arterial pressure and cardiorespiratory rates to decrease. But that's not the only reason our four-legged friends are good for our health.
"The psychological stimulation induced by the presence of an animal and its need for care induces persons to take care of themselves," they added.
