The ‘Pawfect’ Companion
30th July 2019
Dogs are said to be a (wo)man’s best friend. The logic behind this will be very obvious to most dog owners. Dogs are devoted, loving, dependable and incredibly loyal and you’d be crazy if you said you didn’t want a best friend who possesses these qualities.
Research has suggested that dogs can be much more than just a trusting companion. It has been well documented that living with our four-legged friends provides emotional benefits, physical benefits, improved cardiovascular health and increased physical activity which leads to reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
Further research is also highlighting the array of ways in which dogs can provide a sense of calm and support for our daily emotional and psychological stresses (as well as traumatic events). Below I have outlined just some of the amazing benefits that our canine companions can offer:
They provide a sense of purpose: Have you heard of the book: ‘Being Mortal’- by Atul Gawande? It is all about the realities of ageing and medicine- which through research and experiences, uncovers that people are happiest when they feel like their lives have purpose. In the first chapter of the book, Gawande writes about a sad and bleak nursing home that found new joy and renewal following the introduction of plants, animals and children. They found that by having something to look after (watering the plant, making sure the little bird eats etc.) the depressed patients felt a lot happier, and that their lives had a purpose again.
The need to care and look after something/someone offers a reason- a strong sense of purpose- to get up, and get on with what needs doing (especially in the elderly). For many, dogs drive this intention- they need to be fed, they need to be walked, cared for and loved.
An example of this has been portrayed in After Life– A Netflix series starring Ricky Gervais that follows the heartbreak and life of a man after the loss of his wife. What keeps him alive and stops him from taking his own life is his dog- who needs feeding and walking every day, it gave him the biggest sense of purpose and comfort through the darkest times- he comes to the realisation that without him, the dog could not survive. This is his purpose.
They relieve stress: Never ending to-do lists and stressors have become part of our everyday life. Recent studies have shown that there are strong psychological benefits of our furry friends and how they can alleviate some of the most overwhelming emotions. Many large companies including Amazon, Etsy and Mars Inc., to name a few- offer a dog friendly work environment in order to reduce stress among their employees. You may have also heard about local drop-in sessions at Universities, that give people the chance to pet and cuddle animals in attempt to de-stress. Students who were surveyed before and after dog engagement report a significantly reduced level of stress, with higher energy levels and increased levels of happiness that carry for hours after the engagement.
They promote socialisation: Having social connections and social support is known to bring us a sense of belonging and is essential to our mental and physical wellbeing. Taking a dog out for a walk is not only a great way to explore your community and local environment, but also to meet other people from within your community. In a study of over 800 people, those who walked their dogs at least four times a week reported a much stronger sense of community in comparison to those who did not own a dog. Studies have also shown that wheelchair users, who have a dog, receive more smiles and had higher levels of interaction with people passing than wheelchair users without a dog. This finding is significant as able-bodied individuals often display uncomfortable behaviours towards wheelchair users such as: greater personal distance, gaze avoidance and shorter social interaction- making owning a dog a factor towards encouraging friendlier exchanges. These results can also imply that service dogs have a much greater role than just work-related tasks; they enhance opportunities for social interaction, which is an added, meaningful benefit in its own right.
They decrease loneliness and depression: Although we may feel more connected than ever via the internet and social media, within these times of physical disconnection, loneliness is starting to become a health epidemic. This being said, it has been shown that one of the benefits of being a dog owner is having a sense of companionship and social support which in turn leads to reduced levels of reported loneliness. Gary Christenson (Chief Medical Officer at Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota) states that it comes down to the loyalty and devotion that pets display. “There is a bond and companionship that makes a big difference in mental health.”
Studies show that pet owners have a lower rate of depression- they also suffer less symptoms of depression in general when there is a pet in the home. “Animals give something to focus on instead of the negative thoughts a depressed person is prone to have. When a pet pays attention to you, they’re giving you unconditional love and acceptance.”
It’s a fact that having a dog keeps you more active, and that physical activity itself eliminates some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety. So, if you feel like you’re going through a tough time, remember to stay active- keep walking the dog!
They teach us mindfulness: Have you ever seen a dog lying on the floor, bathing in the warm sun just to experience the feeling of warmth that spans across their body?
An article by Harvard Medical School states that “One of the greatest psychological benefits of interacting with a dog is the opportunity it provides to be more mindful- to purposely focus your attention on the present moment.”
Mindfulness can be provoked by something as simple as taking a walk! When walking and doing nothing makes it possible to recover (or possibly even uncover) the purest sensation- just being! Dogs have the natural capacity to just unfold every minute- the smells, the sights and the sounds around them. Why not try taking a cue from your dog, and as you’re going about your day to day life, take a moment to try and draw your attention to the sensations within your body and in the environment. Take a few, big, deep breaths and just notice how this makes you feel.
They bring comfort: The comfort that dogs bring can touch people across a variety of different circumstances. Therapy dogs are a prime example, they are used as a type of therapy to support and bring comfort to humans.
You can probably think of many ways that your dog comforts you when you’re feeling down. In fact, the ways that dogs comfort humans are not too different from the ways that humans comfort one another!
Your dog’s reactions to your sad or upset mood may include: Physical contact (the classic head nudge). The use of distraction: (dogs might put a toy in your lap or bring something over to you as if to say “Don’t feel bad! Look at this, let’s have some fun!”).
Bottom line? The greatest comfort dogs provide is companionship. In fact, real life therapy comfort dogs are trained to sit quietly with people, offering silent, non-judgemental support and love.