Dog-assisted therapy sessions could significantly increase the well-being of patients, according to a study. Photo: AFP Relaxnews
Much ink has already been spilled on the fact that dogs can cheer us up. But most of the research on the subject has been carried out with women, which raises questions about the value of cynotherapy (dog-assisted therapy) across genders. A recent Canadian study proves that canines are valuable allies for everyone.
A research team affiliated with the University of British Columbia Okanagan, in Canada, wanted to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of human interaction with dogs by conducting an experiment with 163 students. This group of volunteers was 49% female, 33% male and 17% non-binary or with another gender identity. All study participants took part in 20-minute canine intervention therapy sessions in groups of three or four, before completing a questionnaire assessing their general well-being.
The researchers found that these therapy sessions with a dog significantly increased participants’ well-being. They found that the sessions helped alleviate the stress, loneliness and sense of uprootedness that some students may feel when attending university far from their hometown. And this was the case regardless of the participant’s gender identity.
For Professor John-Tyler Binfet, co-author of the study, published in CABI Human-Animal Interactions, these results show that dog therapy programmes can be suitable for a wide range of individuals.
“In light of previous studies that note participants were predominantly women, our sampling of men, genderfluid and two-spirit participants furthers our understanding that the efficacy of these interventions does not appear to be gender dependent,” he stated in a press release.
Despite its methodological limitations, this research suggests that “man’s best friend” has the potential of making an excellent therapist. So it should come as no surprise that dogs are increasingly making their appearance in medical facilities such as the Institut Curie in Paris.
For several months now, the facility has been working with Snoopy, a two-year-old English Setter, so that cancer patients and nursing staff can benefit from his soothing presence. Everyone can touch him, taking care, of course, to wash their hands thoroughly after the cuddles, and thus benefit from the many virtues of this four-legged therapy dog. Several hospitals in France are considering replicating this project. – AFP Relaxnews
