Pies: An American Animal Hospital Association poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone an

Evidence: 28 • authority: 88

The Therapeutic Effects Upon Dog Owners Who Interact With Their Dogs in a Mindful Way. Problem. For many in contemporary culture, the pursuit of possession has become an attempt to achieve happiness. However, this path may not always be congruent with psychological well-being. In addition, this path may lead us further away from relationships within the natural world. Humanistic and existential psychologists have suggested that a mindful connection to ourselves, to other-than-human beings, and to the natural world would enable more meaningful lives. If dogs are considered an extension of nature and those interactions between dog and owner that promote mindfulness are examined, there is the…

Evidence: 22 • authority: 88

Hormonal and Neurological Aspects of Dog Walking for Dog Owners and Pet Dogs. The hormone oxytocin is involved in various aspects of the relationship between humans and animals. Dog walking is a common activity for dog owners and their dogs. The walk, of course, should be good for the health of the dog as well as its owner. In Experiment I, we assessed whether salivary oxytocin and cortisol in dog owners changed because of walking their dogs. Ten owners walked with their dogs and walked alone. Similar to other previous research, walking with a dog did not significantly change oxytocin and cortisol. Therefore, in Experiment II, we investigated the effect of dog walking on brain noradrenergic…

Evidence: 22 • authority: 80

Improving dog welfare: Helping owners decode their dogs’ behavior

Evidence: — • authority: 38