Experts suggest that engaging with a dog, even for a brief period, has the potential to lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Dogs offer more than just companionship.
According to Nancy Gee, a psychology professor and director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University, interacting with dogs—whether they’re your own or belong to someone else—positively influences mental health. She emphasizes that animals contribute to both mental and physical well-being. Spending just 5 to 20 minutes with a dog can lead to a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.
Gee also notes the rise in oxytocin, the bonding hormone, during these interactions. She highlights that dogs experience a similar increase in oxytocin when engaging with humans.
However, Gee points out that the extent of these health benefits depends on whether an individual is a dog person and the depth of their connection with the animals. She emphasizes that while pets aren’t a universal solution, for those who genuinely connect with animals, the impact on well-being can be significant.
Gee delved into a distinctive study investigating the influence of dogs on the well-being of 8- and 9-year-old children in the U.K. The intriguing findings revealed that children engaging with classroom dogs twice a week experienced a notable reduction in stress and enhanced focus.
“We observed these effects persisting one month later, with some indications of potential persistence up to six months,” remarked Gee.
Further intriguing research, financially backed by the National Institutes of Health and the Waltham PetCare Science Institute, pointed to the consistently positive outcomes of even brief interactions between humans and their furry companions.
Megan Mueller, an accomplished researcher from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, shared insights from a distinct Canadian study.
College students not only reported diminished stress levels following brief interactions with dogs but also a decrease in feelings of homesickness. Remarkably, these benefits were accentuated with increased interactions, such as the simple act of petting the dogs.
Mueller proposed a fascinating perspective, stating, “Preliminary research suggests that physical touch may indeed impact our nervous system in a way that is profoundly beneficial.”