Playing with a dog for 15 minutes reduces stress in both humans and dogs

Saliva and fecal tests showed that dogs’ cortisol levels were lower one week after spending time with a human, and that students’ self-reported stress levels decreased by 33.5% after interacting with a dog.   Stress is a growing problem affecting college students around the world. In light of this reality, many institutions are seeking solutions to improve students’ mental well-being. A recent study published in PLoS One explores the effect of dog-assisted interventions on stress reduction among college students in Thailand. The researchers conducted an experiment involving students who participated in sessions interacting with dogs selected from private homes. The study measured several indicators of stress, including:

• perceived stress, assessed using psychometric scales;
• salivary cortisol levels, a biological biomarker of stress;
• heart rate, a physiological indicator of stress levels.

  The study’s results showed a significant reduction in stress among the students after interacting with the dogs.

• Reduction in perceived stress: Students reported a noticeable decrease in their stress levels after spending time with the dogs.
• Decrease in salivary cortisol: Analyses revealed a reduction in salivary cortisol levels, indicating an objective decrease in stress.
• Lower heart rate: The decrease in heart rate highlights a calming effect on the participants’ nervous systems.

These results suggest that dog-assisted interventions could be an effective approach to combating academic stress. Incorporating these sessions into university stress management programs could be beneficial for improving students’ mental health. Further studies are needed to explore the long-term impact of these dog-assisted interventions and to evaluate their effectiveness in different academic and cultural contexts. This research paves the way for a broader recognition of the benefits of human-animal interactions in the field of psychological well-being. By incorporating these practices onto campuses, universities could foster a more peaceful environment conducive to student success. This study is part of a broader approach to viewing dogs as emotional support animals. Dogs used as mediators in stressful situations have also yielded excellent results in courtrooms!