LOOKING FOR A WAY TO BOOST YOUR MOOD QUICKLY? A new study confirms the power of petting dogs. Canine cuddles for better health!
I began thinking about the power of dogs during the 13 years we had Quincy, an extraordinarily bright MaltiPoo, as our companion. More about this amazing (and bizarre) little beast in a minute.
First, some thoughts from others about dogs.
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, seizing the moment, and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”
― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog
RIP, Quincy the Dog
I have to share two stories about my late dog, Quincy. First, we had a rule that if his bowl had human food underneath dog food, he had to eat the dog food before consuming the human stuff.
One day, Quincy took the dog food into his mouth. He strolled over to us and dropped the dog food onto the floor (before returning to eat the remaining food in the bowl).
One more. Quincy once pushed a chair over to our kitchen door and scrambled up onto the chair. He pulled down the door lever to allow himself access to the kitchen.
Dog Petting Drops Stress Hormones
On my island outside of Seattle, dogs abound. If I go to the supermarket, invariably, I will encounter at least a couple of small beasts.
After meeting a dog, I always feel a bit warmer. As I walk away, I always turn my head back and smile.
But does dog petting drop stress hormones (such as cortisol)? The answer is yes.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace.”
― Milan Kundera
Dog Petting Drops Stress Cortisol Levels
Is there evidence supporting my observation that brief exposure to dogs drops my stress levels?
A randomized controlled trial of eight- and nine-year-old school children in the U.K. suggests the answer may be yes.
In a first-of-its-kind experiment, researchers investigated dog-assisted interventions as a stress mediator in school-age children. They compared changes in saliva cortisol levels in a 4-week dog interaction group and a control group.
Here are the results:
Dog interventions significantly lowered stress in children with and without special educational needs.
In contrast, the no-treatment control group showed significant rises in baseline cortisol levels from the beginning to the end of the school term. Increases also occurred in the relaxation intervention group.
In conclusion, researchers discovered that children who had twice-weekly, short exchanges with dogs in the classroom had less stress and improved executive function — cognitive processes that allow us to plan, stay on task, and block out distractions. There were some effects six months later.
Canine Cuddles for Better Health: The Power of Petting Dogs
Why does interacting with dogs help us to be more calm and to focus better? The mere act of touching a dog may be central to the calming effect.
A Canadian study discovered this:
College students reported less stress and reduced feelings of homesickness after brief interactions with dogs, and that effect was much bigger in those who got to pet the animals.
For me, my interaction with Quincy pulled me away from electronic gadgets, including my cell phone. Q lived in the moment and forced me to live in the moment, too.
A growing body of literature indicates stress hormone cortisol levels drop when we spend five to 20 minutes interacting with dogs, even if it is not our companion. Our feel-good bonding hormone, oxytocin, can also increase.
Five Ways Pets Help Our Mental Health
The American Heart Association offers five ways pets help your mental health:
- Pets can drop our work-related stress. Two-thirds of employees say work stresses them out, and 40 percent offer that their job harms their health. Workplace pets help reduce stress and improve employee satisfaction.
- Pets can help increase productivity. When a dog joins a virtual meeting, participants rank their teammates higher on camaraderie, trust, and team cohesion.
- Pets help manage anxiety. Today, many individuals feel anxious or struggle with mental health. Pets provide support and companionship.
- Pets can help you be more active. Animals often offer us a reason to go outside, get active, and get fresh air. Getting out can improve your mood, sleep, and mental health.
- Pets provide a sense of togetherness. Bonding with a pet can help you avoid feeling alone. Seeing, hearing, touching, or talking to our companion animals can bring a sense of goodwill, joy, nurturing, and happiness.
Do you know what’s a great way to boost your mood? Hanging out with a furry friend! Trust me, my dog always put a smile on my face.
Get an email whenever Dr. Michael Hunter publishes.
drmichaelhunter.medium.com
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “
Canine Cuddles for Better Health: The Power of Petting Dogs
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO BOOST YOUR MOOD QUICKLY? A new study confirms the power of petting dogs. Canine cuddles for better health!
I began thinking about the power of dogs during the 13 years we had Quincy, an extraordinarily bright MaltiPoo, as our companion. More about this amazing (and bizarre) little beast in a minute.
First, some thoughts from others about dogs.
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, seizing the moment, and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”
― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog
RIP, Quincy the Dog
I have to share two stories about my late dog, Quincy. First, we had a rule that if his bowl had human food underneath dog food, he had to eat the dog food before consuming the human stuff.
One day, Quincy took the dog food into his mouth. He strolled over to us and dropped the dog food onto the floor (before returning to eat the remaining food in the bowl).
One more. Quincy once pushed a chair over to our kitchen door and scrambled up onto the chair. He pulled down the door lever to allow himself access to the kitchen.
Dog Petting Drops Stress Hormones
On my island outside of Seattle, dogs abound. If I go to the supermarket, invariably, I will encounter at least a couple of small beasts.
After meeting a dog, I always feel a bit warmer. As I walk away, I always turn my head back and smile.
But does dog petting drop stress hormones (such as cortisol)? The answer is yes.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace.”
― Milan Kundera
Dog Petting Drops Stress Cortisol Levels
Is there evidence supporting my observation that brief exposure to dogs drops my stress levels?
A randomized controlled trial of eight- and nine-year-old school children in the U.K. suggests the answer may be yes.
In a first-of-its-kind experiment, researchers investigated dog-assisted interventions as a stress mediator in school-age children. They compared changes in saliva cortisol levels in a 4-week dog interaction group and a control group.
Here are the results:
Dog interventions significantly lowered stress in children with and without special educational needs.
In contrast, the no-treatment control group showed significant rises in baseline cortisol levels from the beginning to the end of the school term. Increases also occurred in the relaxation intervention group.
In conclusion, researchers discovered that children who had twice-weekly, short exchanges with dogs in the classroom had less stress and improved executive function — cognitive processes that allow us to plan, stay on task, and block out distractions. There were some effects six months later.
Canine Cuddles for Better Health: The Power of Petting Dogs
Why does interacting with dogs help us to be more calm and to focus better? The mere act of touching a dog may be central to the calming effect.
A Canadian study discovered this:
College students reported less stress and reduced feelings of homesickness after brief interactions with dogs, and that effect was much bigger in those who got to pet the animals.
For me, my interaction with Quincy pulled me away from electronic gadgets, including my cell phone. Q lived in the moment and forced me to live in the moment, too.
A growing body of literature indicates stress hormone cortisol levels drop when we spend five to 20 minutes interacting with dogs, even if it is not our companion. Our feel-good bonding hormone, oxytocin, can also increase.
Petting Dogs for Mental Health
The American Heart Association offers five ways pets help your mental health:
- Pets can drop our work-related stress. Two-thirds of employees say work stresses them out, and 40 percent offer that their job harms their health. Workplace pets help reduce stress and improve employee satisfaction.
- Pets can help increase productivity. When a dog joins a virtual meeting, participants rank their teammates higher on camaraderie, trust, and team cohesion.
- Pets help manage anxiety. Today, many individuals feel anxious or struggle with mental health. Pets provide support and companionship.
- Pets can help you be more active. Animals often offer us a reason to go outside, get active, and get fresh air. Getting out can improve your mood, sleep, and mental health.
- Pets provide a sense of togetherness. Bonding with a pet can help you avoid feeling alone. Seeing, hearing, touching, or talking to our companion animals can bring a sense of goodwill, joy, nurturing, and happiness.
Do you know what’s a great way to boost your mood? Hanging out with a furry friend! Trust me, my dog always put a smile on my face.
Get an email whenever Dr. Michael Hunter publishes.
drmichaelhunter.medium.com
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “Petting Dogs for Health.”
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