Scientists at Chiang Mai University in Thailand have conducted a fascinating study, the results of which were published in the journal PLOS One. The research aimed to investigate the impact of brief interactions with dogs on stress levels in people.
The experiment involved 122 students, all accustomed to the typical stresses of student life, and six dogs – five charming Chihuahuas and one elegant Shetland Sheepdog. Notably, these were ordinary household pets, not specially trained for therapeutic work, which lends the study particular significance and practical value. It suggests that the beneficial effects arise from the natural interaction between humans and dogs, rather than from the influence of specifically trained animals.
Before the experiment, each student completed a detailed questionnaire assessing their stress levels. Their blood pressure and heart rate were also measured, and saliva samples were taken to determine cortisol levels – the hormone associated with stress. These initial measurements provided a baseline against which the effects of interacting with the dogs could be compared.
Participants then spent 15 minutes in close proximity to the dogs, engaging with them as they wished – some played, others simply stroked the animals, and a few merely observed their behaviour. Crucially, the nature of the interaction was left to the participants, ensuring that the experiment closely mirrored natural human–animal interactions.
After the 15-minute session, the tests were repeated: participants filled in the questionnaire again, and their blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels were re-measured. The results were striking: on average, the students’ stress levels dropped by 33.5%. This substantial reduction highlights the significant positive effect of interacting with dogs.
Moreover, there were noticeable improvements in heart rate and cortisol levels. Interestingly, the dogs themselves also exhibited a decrease in cortisol, indicating that the benefits of the interaction were mutual.
Perhaps most impressive was the finding that the positive effects persisted for a week following the session. This suggests that even a brief interaction with dogs can have a lasting beneficial impact on one’s psychological well‑being.
The researchers emphasise the relevance of this study, particularly in contexts where access to professional therapy dogs and animal-assisted therapy specialists is limited. The findings expand our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of human–animal interactions.
It is also noteworthy that reducing stress levels is beneficial not only for people but for animals as well. This experiment demonstrates that even ordinary, untrained household dogs can exert significant therapeutic effects, opening up new possibilities for using animal interactions to prevent and alleviate stress across various fields, from healthcare to education.
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