If
there weren’t already enough reasons to own a dog, here's another....
Having
a pet dog in the home helps in reducing childhood anxiety, according to
research recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
Researchers
found that dogs can reduce childhood anxiety, particularly social and
separation anxiety, in a variety of ways.
Dogs can stimulate conversation and alleviate separation anxiety, and
social interaction between humans and dogs may lead to increased oxytocin
levels in both the human and the dog.
“Interacting
with a friendly dog also reduces cortisol levels, most likely through oxytocin
release, which lessens physiologic responses to stress. These hormonal effects may underlie the
observed emotional and behavioral benefits of animal-assisted therapy and pet
dogs,” according to the study. Visit cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/15_0204.htm for
more information on this study, “Pet Dogs and Children’s Health: Opportunities
for Chronic Disease Prevention?”
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