There's a good reason that therapy dogs for kids are so widely accepted across the globe. It's because, time and time again, research has shown that children benefit from interactions with pets when stressed.
Now, a new study reveals that dogs are good for children who aren't stressed too.
The study, by Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan et al and Waltham Petcare Science Institute (WPSI), measured the physiological effects of everyday interactions between children and dogs. During their research, scientists measured levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in 55 children between 8 and 10 years old and 54 dogs. Measurements were taken before, during, and after relaxed, everyday interactions over three separate visits.
It seems the benefits of child/dog interactions go both ways.
Cortisol levels decreased for both children and dogs after spending time together, showing the benefits are very much mutual.
The study also adds weight to existing Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) research(Opens a new window), highlighting the important role that pets play in our lives. And the stress-buffering effects of child/dog interactions are another very good reason that we should all work to build: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
