Experience instant comfort: Embrace a dog's affection
Hang with your furry buddies and watch your life turn sunny side up!
From belly laughs over hilarious pet videos to unwinding with your fave hound, pets are our one-way ticket to laughter, joy, and a brighter outlook on the world. That's why hospitals and doctors commonly draft in therapy dogs to cheer up patients, be they recovering from an accident or battling mental health troubles.
But now, it seems that simply sharing a room with Rover isn't enough to get the full wellness benefits, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Let's Get Physical!
Intrigued by past studies showing pet time's magic on enhancing well-being, Dr. John-Tyler Binfet (the man behind the Building Academic Retention Through K-9s or BARK program at UBC) wondered why and what that time should encompass. So, he roped in 284 student volunteers to help him out.
Each student rated their overall well-being, including happiness, integration into the campus community, stress levels, homesickness, and loneliness. They were then randomly divided into three groups:
- Group 1 spent quality time with therapy dogs but no physical contact was allowed.
- Group 2 enjoyed petting and cuddling their pooch.
- Group 3 simply chatted with a dog handler.
As it turns out, all groups showed improvements in well-being – but the petting and cuddling group reaped the most benefits! Those that got up close and personal with their furry friends reported significant boosts in all areas of well-being. Dr. Binfet even went so far as to coin canine cuddles a foolproof method to slash stress levels!
The Power of Pet Love for Sound Minds
Looks like showering your pets with love is one of the best things we can do for our mental health. But remember – pets need us to stick up for them too!
Studies suggest owning a dog can not only improve your well-being but also your physical health in a whopping five ways. Be sure to keep tabs on pet dangers, whether it's holiday decor or party pressure, to ensure your furry pal stays healthy and happy while you reap the rewards of a canine cuddle and a little happiness boost in today's chaotic world.
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Sources:
UBC researchers unveil the secret power of canine cuddles for students' well-being - The University of British Columbia.
The secret power of canine cuddles extends beyond emotional well-being, as UBC researchers found that petting and cuddling pets considerably improves overall mental health. Moreover, owning a pet can impact physical health positively, offers five health benefits, and necessitates being vigilant about potential pet hazards during holidays or parties for a harmonious lifestyle that includes home-and-garden, wellness, and pets.
