Dog ownership has increased drastically over the past ten years or so, with numbers continuing to rise. It is estimated that approximately 65-69 million households in the United States currently own at least one dog. Although dogs have always worked closely with humans, the mental health benefits associated with dog ownership are just recently being explored.
It is apparent in the way that many dogs have earned the same status as human family members in many homes, and how numbers of emotional support animals are increasing significantly throughout the United States. According to a survey conducted by Ally Financial, nearly half of pet owner respondents spend as much money or more per month on their dogs as they do on their children.
What is it that makes dogs so special? Although the historical partnership between humans and dogs is universally recognized, there is evidence that dogs can offer significant benefits to a person’s mental health.
Psychology of the dog-human bond
Numerous studies have demonstrated that humans release a number of “feel good” neurotransmitters when making eye contact with or petting their dog.
Oxytocin, both a neurotransmitter and hormone, is most commonly associated with bonding in mammalian species. There have been several studies to date focusing on dog to human interactions and increasing oxytocin levels between both species during these interactions. One study in particular noted an increase of approximately 300% in owners assigned to the ‘long stare’ duration group.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which is strongly linked to happiness, satisfaction and positive mood, alongside a number of other physiological processes. Low levels of serotonin have been consistently linked to depression in humans. Interaction with dogs, primarily through petting, have been proven to increase serotonin levels in humans. A preliminary study conducted by two veterinary professors at University of Missouri-Columbia demonstrated that levels of serotonin increase when people pet dogs.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is strongly associated with our reward system. Like serotonin and oxytocin, dopamine is often referred to as a “feel good” hormone. Dopamine is strongly connected to behavioral reinforcement, and it assists in creating and solidifying associations with reward and pleasure during activities. One study conducted by the Life Sciences Research Institute in South Africa found that dopamine levels in blood samples demonstrated a notable increase after people spent time petting and interacting with dogs.
Cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is strongly associated with both short term and chronic stress responses in humans and numerous other species. Increased cortisol levels are associated with a number of negative health outcomes and undesirable physiological symptoms. One study evaluating the psychological characteristics of the human-dog relationship found that dogs have the ability to decrease cortisol levels in humans, especially when humans share a close relationship with their dogs.
There are a number of other studies reviewing the positive effects that dogs have on human physiological functioning. Dogs have been proven to increase beta-endorphins and beta-phenylethylamine in humans. Interactions with them positively affect endocrine system responses while decreasing the stress response markers responsible for anxiety.
The mental health benefits of dog ownership
The benefits of owning a dog don’t end at an increase of happy neurotransmitters and a decrease in stress hormones. Research has also demonstrated that dog ownership shares strong correlations with a variety of physical psychological benefits in humans.
As mentioned previously, interactions with dogs have consistently been proven to alter our neurological functioning in a positive way. The result of this shift in neurotransmitters and hormones is lower rates of depression, anxiety and stress in dog owners. Lower cortisol levels help decrease the chances of increased blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, blood sugar regulation issues and elevated triglycerides associated with heart disease. According to a 2019 review published in an American Heart Association Journal, dog ownership is associated with a 24% risk reduction in general mortality, and a 31% risk reduction for cardiovascular related death.
The impact that dogs have on human stress and anxiety is perhaps one of the most significant benefits to dog ownership. Dogs are so effective at lowering stress levels that individuals with PTSD display significantly less symptoms when they have a service dog than those who do not. There are less obvious benefits with decreased stress levels as well, such as increased confidence levels, an increase in sociability and companionship, and an increase in quality of life.
Dogs have even been proven to reduce symptoms in a variety of other populations. They consistently lessen the effects of dementia and Alzheimers disease, including loneliness, depression, anxiety and irritability, while decreasing behavioral concerns in these patients. Dogs working in therapeutic environments such as hospitals have been associated with improved health outcomes for patients, improved situational perspectives and even a decrease in physical pain. Dogs have been proven to be highly beneficial for a number of other individuals, including children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.
At Greenside Canine Training, we see the real benefits of human-canine interactions on a daily basis. We also recognize how dogs can reduce stress and anxiety in a number of environments – including the workplace. Our founder and lead trainer, Clay Ford, was recently invited by the FBI’s Indianapolis office to bring his German Shepherd, Poe, as part of the Bureau’s Employee Assistance Program. The visit was designed to provide staff with some stress relief. Everyone had an amazing time during the visit, getting the chance to meet and interact with Poe! We would like to thank the FBI’s Indianapolis office for the invitation.
In conclusion
Dogs are so much more than just our companions. They are the only species who read human facial expressions in the same way that other people do, so they can learn to accurately perceive emotional changes. Research has even proven that they can discriminate between baseline and increased stress related odors in humans, meaning that they know when we are experiencing stress and can respond accordingly.
The number of psychological benefits that dog ownership offers people continues to be explored, with new, fascinating data being published regularly. Dogs consistently amaze with the incredible benefits which they provide to their human families. Although most dog owners would likely acknowledge that their dog makes them feel better, the vast sea of potential benefits associated with dog ownership is not fully recognized by many people. With all of these incredible benefits, it’s no wonder that dogs are virtually treated like another human family member in so many homes.