More Than Just A Fuzzy Companion: How Dogs Help Mentally

By Rebeca Funes

For over 15,000 years, humans and dogs have created inseparable bonds with each other. Most people enjoy the companionship of an animal, whether that be a cat, bird, parrot, or dog. However, studies have shown that dogs have the best impact on a person’s mental health because of their ability to provide emotional support, reduce stress, and improve mood.

Dogs are extremely versatile, being very intelligent and able to do a wide range of jobs, including being an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals, also known as ESAs, are pets that provide comfort and support to individuals with emotional and/or mental challenges. They first became recognized during World War I when psychologists observed how soldiers’ mental health improved when they interacted with dogs during recovery. 

Following this observation, psychiatrist Boris Levison formally introduced animal therapy in prisons and hospitals in the 1960s. This proved to be a major milestone for emotional support animals as they began to be normalized worldwide. Since then, ESAs have been widely recognized legally and socially amongst society. 

However, a pet doesn’t have to be an ESA to help mentally. Studies, such as ones done by NIH and Hopkins Medicine, have shown that interacting with a pet can help reduce anxiety and stress. Through petting a dog, your body releases endorphins and oxytocins, the body’s feel-good hormones.

Endorphins are produced by the body to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and enhance feelings of personal well-being. These hormones are released during moments of stress or during pleasurable activities. On the other hand, oxytocin mainly contributes to the formation of special bonds and attachments, like the ones you see in a mother and her child. This hormone is often referred to as the “love” hormone as it is key in promoting feelings of trust.

“My dog Ron makes me really happy every day after school. When I’m tired and get on the couch, he always gets off his bed and lies down on top of me. I’m very thankful for him because he brings me so much joy and happiness in my life,” said junior Ricardo Camara.

Both of these hormones become present when interacting with animals, playing a significant role in fostering a sense of calm and connection. 

Not only that, but animals have been seen to provide social support and lessen feelings of loneliness. Pets often act as an anchor for their owners in creating new connections. Dogs usually need a certain amount of exercise;, of course, this varies by breed. However, this can allow people to bond at dog parks and other places where they can fulfill their companion’s needs.

“Having a pet does allow you to make new connections and friends, especially if you’re out at a dog park, because if the dogs start playing together, you start talking to the owner and can possibly become friends,” said sophomore Karolyn Perez.

A recent survey by Harvard Health shows that being a pet owner was the third most common way respondents said they met people in their neighborhoods. It also showed that pet owners are 60% more likely to meet new people and foster social connections, which are good for long-term term health.

Another analysis done by Harvard Health showed that those who have a wider range of social networks are 50% more likely to live longer than those who have a limited social network. When paired with these feel-good hormones, pet owners can experience many benefits.

Additionally, another study done by Hopkins Medicine has shown that animals lessen symptoms accompanying mental health issues, with 84% of PTSD patients showing a reduction in symptoms when paired with a service dog.

 Dogs are adaptive, intelligent, and easy to train. They’re able to do jobs such as being service animals or even being emotional support animals. Although they may not speak our language, pets are more than just companions; they’re little helpers in society.