CAN YOUR DOG BE YOUR THERAPIST?

We live in increasingly stressful times, facing daily challenges that contribute to anxiety, such as financial strain, political concerns, family issues, and interpersonal conflicts. These stressors take a toll on our psychological and emotional well-being.

Recent data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reveals that approximately 20% of American adults experienced symptoms of an anxiety disorder over the past year. Additionally, around 31% of U.S. adults will encounter a diagnosable anxiety, emotional, or stress-related disorder at some point in their lives.

Unfortunately, among the millions of people struggling with emotional issues, less than half receive formal psychological treatment. This gap in care is partly due to the high costs of psychotherapy and the lingering stigma around seeking mental health support.

As a result, many individuals turn to alternative “cures,” such as art therapy, chess therapy, nude therapy, sandbox therapy, and culinary therapy, among others. While evidence supporting these unconventional methods is limited, recent research suggests that one of the most effective ways to boost mental health might be as simple as getting a pet dog.

Dogs as Therapists

The effectiveness of therapy dogs in alleviating various anxiety-related psychological issues is well-documented. The first edition of the Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy, published in 2000, compiled numerous studies demonstrating the psychological benefits of therapy dogs.

Since then, the handbook has been updated every five years, incorporating hundreds of new studies that continue to affirm the clinical value of therapy dogs. Now in its sixth edition, this authoritative reference underscores the scientifically recognized therapeutic and anxiety-reducing benefits of dogs.

While most therapy dogs are specially trained to offer emotional support and stress relief, a recent study by Nulo and Talker Research focused on a different group. This study surveyed 2,000 dog owners whose pets were not formally trained for therapeutic or assistance purposes.

The extensive online survey examined the interactions between people and their pet dogs. The findings revealed that having a pet dog as a companion significantly improved the emotional well-being of 39 percent of the American adults surveyed.

How Does a Pet Dog Provide Therapeutic Benefits?

The emotional and mental health benefits of pet dogs often come from experiencing the natural, affectionate behaviors of a well-socialized animal, rather than from any formal psychological training. According to the survey, 69 percent of dog owners found that their dogs enhanced their mental and emotional well-being by providing comfort during sad moments. Additionally, 60 percent of respondents said their dogs helped them manage stress, while 45 percent appreciated their dogs’ attentiveness and willingness to listen when they needed to talk.

The positive effects of dogs on their owners were not occasional occurrences. In the study, dog owners reported that their pets uplifted their mood an average of nine times a day. This was achieved through various activities such as making them laugh (73 percent), playing (68 percent), snuggling (67 percent), or simply being a comforting presence on the couch (64 percent). Impressively, 61 percent of respondents considered the time spent with their dog to be the highlight of their day.

More than 1 out of 3 dog owners specifically note that their dogs act like psychologists because of the way that they support their owner’s mental health and lighten their moods.

More Than Psychotherapy

The study also assessed other factors, revealing that 25 percent of respondents felt their dogs positively impacted both their physical and emotional well-being. This aligns with previous research showing that dog ownership encourages increased physical activity, such as daily walks, which in turn enhances overall health.

Numerous studies support the physical benefits of having a dog. Notably, a 2013 report from the American Heart Association, based on an extensive review of scientific literature, concluded that dog ownership significantly improves cardiovascular health.

The psychological significance of these findings is that ordinary dog owners experience enhanced emotional and mental well-being simply by living with their pet. Even without specialized training, these dogs can act as a buffer against anxiety and stress.

In essence, the data suggests that any dog, including your own, can offer valuable emotional support and improve mental health and overall well-being. Plus, there’s no stigma or costly fees involved—your pet can serve as an effective “in-house therapist” at no extra charge.