Dogs Have Even More Benefits to Humans, Study Finds

Spending time with a dog reduces stress and helps you concentrate, new research has found.

Scientists already know that dogs make for great companions and can provide a number of health benefits to their human owners. Dogs have even been involved in therapy sessions to help relieve anxiety. Several studies have looked at feelings of relaxation and hormone changes before and after spending time with their pet.

This new research published in Plos One studied electrical activity to find that spending quality time with canine companions can increase the power of brain waves that are linked to concentration and the feeling of relaxation.

Onyoo Yoo from Konkuk University, South Korea, and colleagues, studied a small sample of 30 adults, who were wearing electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes, and performed eight activities with a dog. These included playing with a toy, taking pictures of the dog and giving the dogs treats.

The researchers then assessed the electrical activity in the brain while they participated in these activities with the dogs. They were able to gather the owners' emotional state directly after they participated in the activities. They found, overall, that participants showed drastically lower stress levels afterwards.

"Our study demonstrates that animal interaction activities, such as playing, walking, massaging, and grooming dogs, have a positive effect by facilitating increased brain activity in healthy participants," the authors wrote in the study. "This indicates that certain activities activate relaxation, emotional stability, attention, concentration, and creativity. Notably, playing with the dog has an affirmative effect on both relaxation and concentration. Additionally, through a subjective mood assessment, results revealed that interactions with dogs can decrease human stress and induce positive emotional responses."

Notably, while the participants were walking or playing with the dogs, the alpha-band oscillations in the brain increased in strength. This indicates that they were in a state of "relaxed wakefulness."

While they were stroking the dog, there was also indication of heightened concentration in the brain.

They also reported that they felt less tired, depressed and stressed following the experiment. Also notable was that while not every participant had a pet of their own but they all had a fondness for animals. The authors note there could be some bias in the study because of this. However the findings could help the development of dog-themed therapies and initiatives in the future.

"This study provides valuable information for elucidating the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of animal-assisted interventions," the authors write in the study.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about dogs? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.