As a dog owner, I am very grateful for the unconditional love that my dog provides me and that, sometimes, it emotionally helps me by decreasing my stress and sadness. However, is it scientifically supported that pets offer mental health benefits?
In the past decade, NIH partnered with Mars Corporation’s WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, funding studies on human-animal relationships. Dr. Layla Esposito, overseeing NIH’s Human-Animal Interaction Research, emphasized variability in pet benefits. No one-size-fits-all solution exists due to diverse animal traits and individual needs. Research aims to gauge subjective bond quality. Yet, numerous studies reveal pets’ positive impacts on stress, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and even diabetes management.
Stress and Anxiety
A well-known fact is that animals can serve us with comfort and support. Therapy dogs are often brought into nursing homes or hospitals to decrease the stress and anxiety levels of the patients.
The physician and researcher at the NIH, Dr. Ann Berger, quoted that “Dogs are very present. If someone is struggling with something, they know how to sit there and be loving,” and “Their attention is focused on the person all the time.” As Berger works with people who have cancer and terminal illnesses, she teaches them about mindfulness. She highlights that mindfulness can be formed with attention, intention, compassion, and awareness to help decrease stress and manage pain. Consequently, these foundations are all found in animals, and she emphasized that while people have to “learn” mindfulness, animals learn naturally.
The decreased levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure resulted from the interaction between humans and animals. Reduced loneliness, increased feelings of social support, and boosted mood from human-animal interactions from other studies, too.
ADHD
A study showed that children with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can focus their attention more with the help of dogs. Researchers divided children diagnosed with ADHD into two groups; the first group read to a therapy dog once a week for 30 minutes, while the second group used dog-looking puppets for a 12-week group therapy session. The results determined better social skills, more sharing, cooperation, volunteering, and fewer behavioural problems in the first group, where children read to real animals.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Another study showed that calmer attitudes resulted from children with autism spectrum disorder while playing with guinea pigs. Their anxiety levels decreased when they spent a supervised group playtime with guinea pigs in the classroom for 10 minutes. Researchers observed better social interactions and more engaging attitudes with their peers as well. The researchers emphasized that the calm comfort to the children came as animals offered unconditional acceptance.
Diabetes
Unexpectedly, a study shows that teenagers with diabetes can manage their disease better by caring for fish. The research process consisted of a group of type 1 diabetes-diagnosed teenagers feeding, checking water levels twice daily for a pet fish, and changing the tank water weekly. They paired this process with reviewing blood glucose logs with their parents which maintain their health.
Many studies have shown that animals can positively influence human health. However, NIH/Mars funds also highlighted that animals can feel stressed and tired. Knowing these signs of stress and their importance in a private space is critical.