Playing with a dog reduces stress: it may seem trivial, as well as something that any person who has a quadruped knows very well, but now we also have a study published on Plos One who confirms it. And not only shows that one Game session even short with a dog has positive effects on our stress levelsbut also on those of the same animalwhich benefits in the same way as interaction.
Six dogs looking for relaxation. It should be said immediately that the study, conducted by a Charing Mai University team in Thailand, involved a small number of dogs: six have been chosen, five chihuahua and a shepherd of the Shetland; None of these had any experience like “Therapy Dog”el ‘experiment took place in the absence of their masters.
Experiment that involved 122 students from the same University, who compiled a questionnaire on their stress levels, then underwent measurements of the pressure, heartbeat and the presence of cortisol levels (The stress hormone) In their saliva, and finally … they were left free to play with dogs.
The benefits of playing with a dog. Each student had 15 minutes available, to pass in the company of one of the six dogs after being told something about his personality and his favorite games. At the end of the session, the team has again measured the levels of stress in humans, but also in dogs, which have “provided” samples of feces and saliva.
The results of this test are very clear: all students have certified that they feel less stressed, a condition confirmed by pressure, heart rate and cortisol measures; On average, The drop in the stress level was 33% for humans. And also the dogs are enjoyed: Even a week after interaction, their cortisol levels in the stool and in saliva were lower of what they were before the experience.
In short: play with your dog, it’s good for both.
