While we know our furry friends are brilliant companions, Dr John Bradshaw finds out if they could actually be making us healthier too.
DOGS: the universal stress-buster. That’s the claim increasingly made for ‘man’s best friend’ as dogs find their way into all kinds of unexpected medical situations. Last year, my own institution, the University of Bristol, teamed up with the Guide Dogs charity to offer stressed students a puppy play session. This was by no means the first of its kind: more than a thousand universities have put animal visitation programmes into place to help students. At Bristol University, the 600 slots quickly filled up. Yet the students’ enthusiasm is supported by research. In one study, after as little as seven minutes’ interaction with a friendly dog, students reported significantly less anxiety and greater feelings of contentment. Viewing a slideshow of the same dog for the same length of time had no effect on their mood. It seems that actually stroking and playing with the dog is crucial. Sorry, YouTube.
As well as stress, dogs are widely touted as a panacea for all kinds of ills such as high blood pressure, loneliness, heart disease and depression, to name but a few. A quick search of the internet will reveal countless articles extolling the health benefits of keeping pets. Some of these claims are supported by science, others remain to be investigated thoroughly, while a few seem to be little more than wishful thinking. So what does canine companionship really offer?
This story is from the February 2017 edition of BBC Knowledge.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2017 edition of BBC Knowledge.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Are We Close To Making Our Home Away From Earth?
Our exploration of the cosmos is hampered by our bodies and minds, which struggle in space. So could we ever overcome our Biology and settle among the stars?
The Viruses That Made Us Human
Viruses give us infections, from the common cold to Ebola and Aids. But new research shows that they may also have played a key role in shaping the evolution of homo sapiens.
Can You Supercharge Your Brain?
Your brain is the finely-tuned machine that controls all your actions and emotions, so it makes sense to keep it well-oiled. But, asks Rita Carter, are there any scientifically proven methods to ensure it works better for longer?
The Yaksha's Quiz
One day, a man approached the Pandavas while they were in exile in the forest.
Are Dogs Making Us Healthy Too?
While we know our furry friends are brilliant companions, Dr John Bradshaw finds out if they could actually be making us healthier too.
Welcome to the Jungle
As our cities grow, animals are having to carve out a niche in this most human of habitats. Fredi Devas, producer of the urban episode of Planet Earth II, spent four years getting to know these metropolitan pioneers.
How Should History Remember Fidel Castro?
To many, he was a heroic champion of the disenfranchised; to others, a cruel tyrant. Following Fidel Castro’s death in November 2016, we asked five historians to offer their verdicts on the Cuban leader’s life and legacy.
Ismat Chughtai
Author and historian Urvashi Butalia details the life and words of a feminist powerhouse.
NASA's Compact Nuclear Reactors Could Power Colonies On Mars
IF humans are ever to build colonies on the Moon or on Mars, we are going to need a reliable way of powering essentials such as lighting, water and oxygen supply – not to mention a means of producing fuel for the long schlep home.
Acoustic Tractor Beam Breakthrough Could Lead To Levitating Humans
HERE’S an idea that is really gaining traction: for the first time, University of Bristol engineers have created an acoustic tractor beam capable of trapping objects larger than the wavelength of the sound being used.
