Dog Therapy Research

Dogs and Mental Health

One in five North Americans has a diagnosable mental health condition. Many more suffer from loneliness, anxiety and stress. The benefits of human-dog interaction have been studied in-depth and are well-proven. It is clear that the physical presence of a dog can reduce stress, anxiety and depression in humans. Dogs are increasingly playing an important role in mental health management. (1)

How Dog Therapy Works

Research Papers

of Canadian youth are affected by mental illness or a mental disorder.

0 %

of all Canadians fall into the "high risk" category for mental health issues.

0 %

1 in 2

people will have experienced a mental health issue.

Young people/students

Companionship and social support: Companionship and social support of pet dogs have shown to be extremely effective at reducing stress levels in children. A reason why dogs are strong companions for children is their non-judgemental and accepting character, which allows them to help combat stress more effectively in young people than through other human interactions. (2)

Social and emotional development: Studies have shown that positive attachments between dogs and children aids in the development of empathy in children. Child-dog relationships may help prevent emotional problems or disorders from occurring later in life. (3)

Emotional and physical well-being: Various studies have shown that having a pet dog may help ward off loneliness, social isolation and depression in children and young adults.(3)

Animal-assisted therapy has also shown to reduce stress on students in academic environments. (4) Many studies have demonstrated how human-animal relationships can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety associated with school environments in general and testing in particular. The presence of dogs around students with depression has been associated with moderating the effects of depression and enhancing survival. Dog ownership and exposure to dogs can also greatly help with cardiovascular health for young people with high stress, anxiety and depression.(5) The exposure of dogs has also been proven to reduce symptoms of PTSD to individuals who have suffered traumas by reducing levels of depression, improving quality of life and wellbeing due to their comforting nature and companionship. (6)

Elderly people

Enhance quality of life: One in four older adults live with a mental disorder. (1)

The companionship of dogs can help enhance the quality of life for the elderly by promoting relaxation, aiding with daily schedules and promoting mobility. Research has shown that dog-human relations also help create a sense of community and an added value to their life. Seniors that are exposed to dogs have reported higher life satisfaction than non-dog owners. (2)

Social support and emotional well-being: The presence of dogs can help reduce depression, isolation and loneliness among the elderly through the social support provided. (3) Social isolation and loneliness are growing public health epidemics, especially among the elderly who largely live alone. Being in the presence of dogs and facilitating these dog-human relationships with the elderly helps reduce isolation and loneliness by providing a sense of connection and thus lowering depression. Elderly people with dementia living in aged care facilities have benefited from dog-assisted therapy. (4)

People in the workplace

Physical and emotional benefits for employees: Studies have shown that employees that work in dog-friendly workplaces have reduced stress levels compared to employees in non-dog friendly workplaces. (1) Having a pet-friendly workplace promotes a more comfortable work environment for employees and a sense of companionship in the workplace. (2)

Social benefits: Having a dog-friendly workplace can help create social cohesion and teamwork among employees. Studies have shown that dog-friendly workplaces can help improve problem-solving skills by facilitating verbal cohesion, trust, physical intimacy and cooperation among coworkers. Behavioural indicators have shown that employees feel increasingly cooperative, comfortable, friendly, active and enthusiastic while exposed to dogs in the workplace. (3)

Workplace effectiveness: An extensive research project done by Nationwide and HABRI (June 12, 2018) found that employees in dog-friendly workplaces feel healthier, report more positive relationships with their colleagues and have a deeper engagement with their work. Employees in dog-friendly companies are more likely to recommend their workplace to others.

References

Young People/Students

1.Westgarth, C., Boddy, L. M., Stratton, G., German, A. J., Gaskell, R. M., Coyne, K. P., … & Dawson, S. (2013). Pet ownership, dog types and attachment to pets in 9–10 year old children in Liverpool, UK. BMC Veterinary Research, 9(1), 102.

2. Allen, K. M., Blascovich, J., Tomaka, J., & Kelsey, R. M. (1991). Presence of human friends and pet dogs as moderators of autonomic responses to stress in women. Journal of personality and social psychology, 61(4), 582.

3.Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: a systematic review of the evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(3), 234.

4. Kertes DA, Liu J, Hall NJ, Hadad NA, Wynne CDL, Bhatt SS. Effect of Pet Dogs on Children’s Perceived Stress and Cortisol Stress Response. Soc Dev. 2017;26(2):382–401. doi:10.1111/sode.12203

5. Wu, A. S., Niedra, R., Pendergast, L., & McCrindle, B. W. (2002). Acceptability and impact of pet visitation on a pediatric cardiology inpatient unit. Journal of pediatric nursing, 17(5), 354-362.

6. Hoagwood, K. E., Acri, M., Morrissey, M., & Peth-Pierce, R. (2017). Animal-assisted therapies for youth with or at risk for mental health problems: A systematic review. Applied Developmental Science, 21(1), 1-13.

Elderly

1. Robinson, K. M. (2010). Policy issues in mental health among the elderly. Nursing Clinics, 45(4), 627-634.

2. Stanley, I. H., Conwell, Y., Bowen, C., & Van Orden, K. A. (2014). Pet ownership may attenuate loneliness among older adult primary care patients who live alone. Aging & Mental Health, 18(3), 394-399.

3. Jessen, J., Cardiello, F., & Baun, M. M. (1996). Avian companionship in alleviation of depression, loneliness, and low morale of older adults in skilled rehabilitation units. Psychological reports, 78(1), 339-348.

4.Travers, Catherine, et al. “An evaluation of dog-assisted therapy for residents of aged care facilities with dementia.” Anthrozoös 26.2 (2013): 213-225.

People in the Workplace

1.Wilkin, Christa L., Paul Fairlie, and Souha R. Ezzedeen. “Who let the dogs in? A look at pet-friendly workplaces.” International Journal of Workplace Health Management 9.1 (2016): 96-109.

2.Wells, Meredith, and Rose Perrine. “Critters in the cube farm: perceived psychological and organizational effects of pets in the workplace.” Journal of occupational health psychology 6.1 (2001): 81.

3.Barker, Randolph T. “On the edge or not? Opportunities for interdisciplinary scholars in business communication to focus on the individual and organizational benefits of companion animals in the workplace.” The Journal of Business Communication (1973) 42.3 (2005): 299-315.