- From reducing stress levels to combating loneliness, these are some of the positive aspects that having a dog offers for the health of its owners.
- They are also helpful for children with autism, ADHD, and other conditions.
- Every July 21, World Dog Day is commemorated.
The human relationship with other species has persisted for thousands of years. Although within the various spices that exist, one of the closest is with the dog and not only because it is a companion animal but also because it offers various health benefits.
To begin with, it is the favorite pet of millions of homes. Most canine breeds are quite friendly with their owners. While they also serve to protect a certain house or property.
However, in recent years the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have partnered with the Mars Corporation WALTHAM Center for Pet Nutrition to conduct research studies. From these works, we have identified the
Interaction with pets has been shown to lowers cortisol levels (a hormone related to stress), plus it also helps control blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and improve your mood.
Similarly, there are also works that seek to identify how animals can influence child development. In particular, the benefits of pets are mentioned in children with autism and other conditions.
“We are trying to take advantage of the subjective quality of the relationship with the animal. That part of the bond that people feel with animals, and how that translates into some of the health benefits,” explains Dr. James Griffin, an NIH child development expert.
Animals that help hospitalized patients
Animals can serve as a source of comfort and support. Therapy dogs are especially good at this. Sometimes they are taken to hospitals or nursing homes to help reduce stress and anxiety in patients.
Dogs can also help in schools. One study found that canines help children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to focus your attention.
The researchers enrolled two groups of children diagnosed with ADHD in twelve-week group therapy sessions. The first group of children is tasked with reading to a therapy dog once a week for thirty minutes. While the second group read to puppets that looked like dogs.
The children who read to the real animals showed better social skills and more willing sharing, cooperation, and participation. Also, they had fewer behavior problems.
For now, we share a graph made by the Saludiario editorial team that shows the different benefits that having a dog offers to human health.