Round eyes, moist nose, and soft fur make you feel happy. In the tiring daily life, dogs are like vitamins and are an indispensable family member. In fact, the positive effects that dogs have on their owners’ health are very diverse. What are the activities of our dog, which we are grateful for?
◆ Your own pain reliever
Treatment dogs are a common practice in overseas hospitals, so they are of great help in comforting patients and relieving pain and anxiety. A research team from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, published a study result in the international academic journal PLOS ONE, showing that treatment dogs relieve pain in patients.
The study was conducted on 200 patients admitted to the emergency room. Group A spent time with treatment dogs, and group B received general treatment. A survey was conducted to measure symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and depression before and following treatment. As a result, ▼48% of group A experienced a decrease in anxiety, 43% pain, and 46% depression. The researchers found that when a patient pets a treatment dog, the happy hormone oxytocin is secreted, and this hormone suppresses cortisol and acts as a pain reliever.
◆ Protect your heart health
A 2018 study of 4 million people in the United States, Canada, and other countries found that those who owned dogs had a 24% lower risk of premature death than those who did not. Owning a dog for a person who has already experienced cardiovascular disease can reduce the death rate by up to 31%.
Another large study published that same year found that heart attack survivors living alone had a 33% lower risk of death when they had a dog. Additionally, stroke survivors living alone had a 27% lower risk of death for those who had dogs compared to those who did not.
◆ Does your dog manage diabetes?
The American Heart Association (AHA) has selected having a dog as a way to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. “People who regularly walk their dogs have a one-third risk of diabetes compared to those who do not have them,” the association said. Increased physical activity while caring for a dog helps maintain an appropriate weight, and continuous aerobic activity lowers insulin sensitivity. In fact, it was found that owners of dogs who need to walk at least once a day exercise 30 minutes more a day than those who do not own a dog.
◆ To improve cognitive function
In 2021, a research team led by Professor Ok-Jin Kim of the Department of Companion Animal Industry at Wonkwang University’s College of Agriculture and Food Convergence revealed that dogs improve cognitive function in the elderly. The research team conducted an animal sympathetic healing program using dogs for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment for 6 months. Afterwards, the changes were analyzed through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale and EEG.
This dog program had a positive effect on orientation (ability to recognize time and place), memory, and numeracy of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. It was confirmed that the basic rhythm index (brain development) and attention index (stress resistance) were positively improved by the EEG test.
◆ Prevention of Crohn’s disease in children
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive system that causes intermittent diarrhea, which causes great inconvenience in daily life. The new research results were announced at the international academic conference ‘Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2022’. Researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada found that children aged 5-15 years had a lower risk of developing Crohn’s disease when they lived with a dog.
The research team analyzed the records of 4,300 Crohn’s disease patients and their families. The results showed that living with a dog at the age of 5-15 helps to balance the intestinal microflora and the immune system. Exposure to appropriate microorganisms in childhood can help to form an immune balance and reduce the likelihood of developing various diseases. Although the exact mechanism is not known, the research team estimated that living with dogs exposes them to various species of microorganisms and increases immunity, thereby reducing the risk of developing Crohn’s disease.
By Kim Hye-won, staff reporter [email protected]
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