There are many reasons to keep a dog in your home. The uses for canine companionship vary. Some working dogs provide skills like sheepherding, while service dogs can help you regulate your emotions or warn you of an oncoming medical episode. Many keep dogs for their guarding abilities. Several studies show that having a dog can lower your blood pressure. Another amazing thing dogs can do? Cause a positive impact on your brain chemistry.
No Substitute for the Real Thing
Researchers led by Rahel Marti at the University of Basel in Switzerland report that touching and even viewing dogs leads to higher levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. The study, published in PLOS ONE, shows that this effect persists even after the dogs are no longer present. However, replacing real dogs with stuffed animals reduces the effect. The findings have implications for animal-assisted clinical therapy. Many who keep therapy dogs have been talking about the benefits their dog has had on them for years.
In the study, researchers measured activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain with infrared neuroimaging technology. Each of the 19 participants viewed a dog, reclined with the same dog against their legs, and pet a dog. They also did so with a stuffed lion toy that filled with a heated water bottle to match the temperature and weight of the dogs. The results showed that prefrontal brain activity was greatest when participants interacted with the real dogs. Another key difference was that prefrontal brain activity increased each time people interacted with the real dog. This was not observed with successive interactions with the stuffed lion, indicating that the response might be related to familiarity or social bonding.
Benefits of Dogs in Your Life
While there’s still research to be done on the benefits of dogs in your life, most people with canine companions will gladly tell you their lives are undoubtedly better with a dog. While most of us don’t have professionally trained therapy animals, that doesn’t mean our pups can’t help us live our best lives. Relaxing with your pet and taking some time to just cuddle with them can help reduce your stress levels. Dogs can read our emotions and help by responding in ways that soothe us. Additionally, keeping a schedule for your dog’s exercise can help us stay active and physically healthy, whether or not that was our intention!
