Having a beautiful Cavapoo named Bodhi, I can confirm the immense health benefits that dogs provide. I named him after the Bodhi tree, hoping he would bring balance and presentness to my life, which he has certainly done.
Scientific research supports the positive effects of dogs on our well-being. A study at Queen’s University Belfast found that dogs can detect stress-related chemical changes in breathing and sweat with remarkable precision.
The study involved presenting pre- and post-stress samples to trained dogs, who accurately identified stress odors 93.75 percent of the time, with the best dogs achieving a 96.88 percent accuracy rate.
Researchers believe that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during stress contribute to the change in odor detected by dogs, making them capable of providing support during mental health issues like panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
Our social connection with pet dogs is thought to be mediated by social cognition, creating a special bond similar to that of a mother. Oxytocin, a hormone involved in recognition and trust, plays a role in this emotional connection.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that brain responses to images of pet dogs and children showed similarities in regions associated with reward, emotion, and bonding, indicating a deep emotional connection between humans and dogs.
While the unconditional love and support from our dogs may be immeasurable, the bond we share with them is undeniably special and meaningful to our overall well-being.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com