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pets — home-and-garden — Lifestyle — Wellness

Seeking quick emotion improvement? Consider a cozy canine embrace.

Pets, from bringing amusement with hilarious videos to providing comfort with their presence, can prompt laughter, induce happiness, and uplift spirits. This is the reason why medical professionals and healthcare facilities often utilize therapy dogs to aid patients during recovery from...

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In place of amusing clips of pets and snuggling with our cherished dogs, what we obtain is...
In place of amusing clips of pets and snuggling with our cherished dogs, what we obtain is laughter, smiles, and overall well-being. This is why healthcare providers and hospitals have employed therapy dogs for ages, to aid patients in their recovery from physical injuries or to provide emotional comfort. Discover how your pet can promptly boost your mood...

Seeking quick emotion improvement? Consider a cozy canine embrace.

Pets are a faultless way to inject some joy and positivity into our lives, whether it's watching hilarious pet videos or unwinding with our four-legged friends. They have the extraordinary ability to make us chuckle, brighten our spirits, and bring a sense of peace to the world we live in.

That's why healthcare institutions and hospitals routinely enlist the aid of therapy dogs to help patients recover from physical injuries or cope with mental health issues. But according to researchers at the prestigious University of British Columbia (UBC), merely having a dog in the room isn't enough to reap the utmost benefits for our well-being.

The Power of Petting and Cuddling

Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, director of the Building Academic Retention Through K-9s (BARK) program at UBC, elucidated that while previous studies had shown the power of pet time to boost well-being, they didn't understand why or what that time should encompass. To find answers, his team recruited 284 college students and asked them about their overall well-being, including their feelings of happiness, social connectedness, stress levels, loneliness, and homesickness, among other things.

Then, the students were randomly assigned to one of three groups:

  1. Group 1 spent time with a therapy dog, but they didn't engage in any physical contact.
  2. Group 2 interacted with the therapy dog and had the opportunity to pet and cuddle the animal.
  3. Group 3 didn't meet with the therapy dog at all instead meeting with a dog handler for a chat.

The findings were quite illuminating. All groups experienced improvements in well-being, but those who had physical contact with their therapy dog fared the best. Petting and cuddling led to significant improvements in all categories of well-being, with Dr. Binfet hailing canine cuddles as a "surefire way to reduce stress."

The Impact on Mental Health

It seems that showering our pets with love is doing wonders for our mental health. But don't be fooled; the benefits extend far beyond well-being improvement.

Several studies have shown that owning a dog can have a dramatic impact on physical health in five remarkable ways:

  1. Boosts Immunity: Dogs can help strengthen our immune systems by exposing us to different germs and bacteria.
  2. Encourages Exercise: Dogs require regular exercise to stay healthy, prompting their owners to get out and move more often.
  3. Lowers Blood Pressure: Walking a dog can help lower blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health.
  4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The simple act of petting a dog can release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of relaxation and well-being.
  5. Enhances Social Interactions: Dog ownership can encourage more social connections as people are more likely to approach dog owners while on walks or at dog parks.

While our pets always look out for us, it's crucial that we return the favor by ensuring their safety and well-being. Be aware of potential pet hazards, from holiday food and decoration dangers to party-related worries, and always provide them with the one thing they need from the start: love, care, and attention.

Take some time to pet your pet and indulge in a canine cuddle – it's a gesture that will not only make your pet happy, but it'll also bring a little joy to your life in this hectic world.

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Sources:

  • "UBCO researchers explore the impact of canine cuddles on students" – The University of British Columbia
  • Engaging in physical contact with therapy dogs, such as petting and cuddling, was found to significantly improve various aspects of well-being, including happiness, social connectedness, stress levels, and more, as revealed in a study by Dr. John-Tyler Binfet at the Building Academic Retention Through K-9s (BARK) program at the University of British Columbia.
  • By petting and cuddling pets, individuals can not only bring happiness to their furry friends but also experience improvements in their mental health, as incorporating regular physical contact can help lower stress and boost immunity, encourage exercise, reduce blood pressure, and promote social interactions.

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