New research suggests dogs help people regulate stress even more than expected

New research suggests dogs help people regulate stress even more than expected

New research suggests dogs help people regulate stress even more than expected In a 2022 survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, more than one-third of respondents reported that on most days, they feel “completely overwhelmed” by stress. At the same time, a growing body of research is documenting the negative health consequences of higher stress levels, which include increased rates of cancer, heart disease, autoimmune conditions and even dementia. Assuming people’s daily lives are unlikely to get less stressful anytime soon, simple and effective ways to mitigate these effects are needed. This is where dogs can help. As researchers at the University of Denver’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection, we study the effects animal companions have on their humans. Dozens of studies over the last 40 years have confirmed that pet dogs help humans feel more relaxed. This would explain the growing phenomenon of people relying on emotional support dogs to assist them in navigating everyday life. Dog owners hav…