Man's Best Friend
Why do they say a man's best friend is a dog? "Man's best friend" is a common phrase used to describe domestic dogs, referring to their millennia-long history of close relations, loyalty, friendship, and companionship with humans. The term 'a dog is a man's best friend' was first used way back in 1789 by King Frederick of Prussia. He's claimed to say, “the only, absolute and best friend that a man has, in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his Dog.” Dogs have been man's best friend for at least the past 15,000 years. Science now shows that this symbiotic relationship has been as beneficial for humans as their canine companions. Benefits of dog ownership include familial ties, a reduce risk of schizophrenia, and improved cardiovascular health. Considering the following:
6 reasons dogs truly
are man’s best friend Key Takeaways
Under cover of darkness, a pack of ancient wolves slowly stalk the camps of our nomadic ancestors. But they are not on the prowl. These timid, congenial Canidaes have discovered they can scavenge human kills and midden piles for more reward, and far less risk, than the hunt. Over successive generations, their offspring grow more docile and more dependent on their human benefactors. In time humans adopt these four-legged moochers, taking them into their service with the tacit agreement of better food and companionship. And so, the human-dog relationship was born. That’s one possibility at least. All that’s generally agreed upon is that dogs became man’s best friend as early as 15,000 years ago — though some fossil evidence suggests domestication as far back as 30,000 years. As science writer James Gorman points out, this means we loved our tail-wagging besties before inventing agriculture, language, or permanent homes and even before we domesticated cows, goats, and, of course, cats. “As we became friends with them, they became friends with us, and we have a dependency that’s charming,” Bill Nye, science guy and lover of all good dogs, told us in a 2015 interview. “It’s enriched both the dog lives and the human lives.” For humans, the perks of the dog-human relationship run much deeper than games of fetch or a handy excuse to go for a nice, long walk. Dogs see us as family It’s not our imaginations or a poetic attempt to explain behavior through personification. Dogs do view their people as family. Cognition scientists at Emory University placed dogs in an MRI machine and scanned their brains while presenting them with different odors. Some aromas were of food. Others were from other dogs. And some were from the dogs’ human companions. The dogs’ brains’ reward centers lit up most when presented with the human scents, showing they prioritized human relationships. These results bolstered other research that shows dogs act similarly to human sounds and that they are the only non-primates to run toward humans for protection and comfort. Dogs reduce the risk of schizophrenia Dogs may be able to curb the risk of some mental diseases. That’s the conclusion of research published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE,which found a link between dog ownership and a reduced risk of schizophrenia. The researchers looked at 1,371 men and women across the socioeconomic spectrum. Roughly 400 participants suffered from schizophrenia, another 400 from bipolar disorder, and about 600 were controls. After a survey in which the participants were asked about pets, the researchers compared ownership with rates of mental illness. They discovered that dog ownership before the age of 13 correlated with a 25 percent reduced risk of schizophrenia. Participants who owned dogs in the first years of life showed the largest protective effect. “There are several plausible explanations for this possible ‘protective’ effect from contact with dogs,” lead author Robert Yolken said in a statement. “Perhaps something in the canine microbiome that gets passed to humans and bolsters the immune system against or subdues a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia.” Sorry, ailurophiles. Cats did not show a similar link between ownership and a reduced risk of mental diseases. Dogs are your heart's best friend, too The health benefits aren’t just in the mind. Preliminary research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes suggests that pet ownership boosts heart health, especially if that pet is a dog. Researchers evaluated roughly 1,800 participants using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, seven life factors that people can improve to help achieve cardiovascular well-being. They then compared the health of pet owners with those who did not own pets and found a correlation between dog ownership and heart health. The researchers associated this salubrious effect with increased engagement and physical activity. “In general, people who owned any pet were more likely to report more physical activity, better diet and blood sugar at an ideal level,” Andrea Maugeri, a researcher with the International Clinical Research Center at St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno, said in a statement. “The greatest benefits from having a pet were for those who owned a dog, independent of their age, sex and education level.” Follow-up evaluations are scheduled until 2030. Dogs make life better (and longer) Better heart health means a better chance to live longer. That’s according to a recent study and meta-analysis published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The research found that dog owners who survived a heart attack were at a 33 percent reduced risk of early death compared to non-dog survivors. The same held true for stroke survivors (27 percent). Better still, dog ownership correlated with a 24 percent reduced risk of all-cause mortality, likely explained by an increase in physical activity and a decrease in depression and loneliness. A study published in Scientific Reports corroborates a canine’s life-giving, heart-healthy impact. The researchers reviewed the national registries for more than 3.4 million Swedes with no cardiovascular disease before 2001. Looking at the association between dog ownership and cardiovascular health, they found that single dog owners had a lowered risk of death, either due to cardiovascular disease (11 percent) or other causes (33 percent). In a statement, lead junior author Mwenya Mubanga noted, “A very interesting finding in our study was that dog ownership was especially prominent as a protective factor in persons living alone, which is a group reported previously to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death than those living in a multi-person household. Perhaps a dog may stand in as an important family member in the single households.” Dogs teach us ways to learn Put simply, dogs are better at ignoring bad advice than their human peers. Research out of Yale University’s Canine Cognition Center tasked dogs with retrieving treats from a puzzle. The researchers presented the steps to solve the puzzle but included many extraneous steps in the demonstration. When it was the dogs’ turn, they nimbly skipped the unnecessary steps, thereby showing their ability to filter information effectively. How did human children perform? Not so great. The children settled on pure imitation, regardless of whether a step proved useful in solving the puzzle. “This tells us something really important about how humans learn relative to other animals,” Big Think author Arpan Bhattacharyya wrote on the study. “We’re really trusting of the information that we get from other individuals – even more trusting than dogs are. “And what this means is we have to be really careful about the kinds of information we present ourselves with. We’re not going to have the right filter for bad information, so we should stick to looking at information that’s going to be positive, information that’s going to be good.” Dogs teach us about ourselves Dogs resemble their owners in more ways than floppy jowls or a perky gait. Dogs mirror their owners’ personalities, and owners can use this information to better understand themselves. Research published in the Journal of Research in Personality surveyed more than 1,600 dog owners, representing about 50 different breeds. They found that dog owners shaped their dogs’ personalities. Extroverted owners rated their dogs as more active and playful, while the owners of more fearful dogs tended to exhibit more negative emotions. Similarly, more agreeable owners were guardians of less aggressive pets. “We expected the dogs’ personalities to be fairly stable because they don’t have wild lifestyle changes humans do, but they actually change a lot. We uncovered similarities to their owners, the optimal time for training and even a time in their lives that they can get more aggressive toward other animals,” lead author William Chopik said in a release. Another study in Scientific Reports showed similar findings regarding stress. The researchers took hair and fur samples from owners and their dogs to measure both for the stress hormone cortisol. They found a correlation in long-term stress between the two. More than simply good dogs These are six ways that science has
discovered dogs aid their interspecies partner. As genetic
research advances, dogs may prove they are man’s best
friends in unforeseen ways. Scientists studying the canine
genome have found a number of canine disorders that closely
resemble those found in humans, including some cancers.
Further study may provide a wealth of information that could
help us solve our own genetic mysteries. What Mental
Illnesses Qualify for a Service Dog? 5-12-22 These animals undergo training to assist people with disabilities that hinder them from performing essential tasks like crossing the street and collecting their mail. While many people assume service animals only assist with physical disabilities, they are also widely used among people living with mental illness. These psychiatric service dogs go through intensive training to supplement people's limitations. Not just anyone can own one of these animals. You have to have a qualifying illness or disability to secure a trained dog. To find out what mental illnesses qualify, read on through this guide. Depression Current estimates suggest that 84% of service dog owners have them because of depression. Clinical depression is a serious psychiatric disorder that induces persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and emptiness. Other reactions, like anger or irritability, are also overlooked symptoms of depression. For many, depression and chronic depression are not standalone conditions. They can develop out of other physical and mental conditions that isolate people from the world. With isolation comes depression, but no one has to be alone. Getting a service dog can help those with depression in many ways. They can nudge or paw their owners to pull them out of depressive spirals. They can encourage their human companion to open the blinds and windows to let in fresh air and sunlight and be a constant, needed companion. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Those who have suffered traumatic incidents can develop a condition known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The symptoms are anxiety, heavy breathing, accelerated heart rate, and reliving the traumatic incident. Service dogs can detect oncoming episodes and offer comfort to offset the intense bouts of anxiety. They also help lead their owners out of internal spirals by encouraging them to go outside, walk and play. They can also communicate the owner's needs to others in public settings. Chronic Anxiety According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. Those who struggle with anxiety may feel plagued by the inability to do anything they need to do. Service dogs can help those with anxiety. They can go through training to pick up on symptoms of anxiety attacks before they even begin. They can also retrieve medication if the owner is too anxious to retrieve it themselves and apply physical pressure to the anxiety attack sufferer. These incredible animals can learn various tasks that bring a sense of calm and comfort. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating mental illnesses. Sufferers can see hallucinations, suffer delusions, have disorganized speech and behavior, and even be prone to violence, whether self-inflicted or outwardly inflicted. Those diagnosed with schizophrenia can use service dogs to ground them back into reality. The animal can provide a sense of stability, routine, and trust. Dogs are creatures of habit, and they can help those with schizophrenia build their own set of habits which can help stave off symptoms of the illness. Bipolar Disorder Formerly known as manic depression, those who suffer from bipolar are prone to mood swings and emotional volatility. Service dogs can support those with bipolar by warning others to give the owner space. Sometimes a bipolar episode is depressive and withdrawn, but other times, it's manic and unpredictable. In the event of the latter, a service dog can help its owner claim the space they need to ride out an episode. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition where unwanted, intrusive thoughts compel a person to think, say, or do things they don't necessarily want to do. It is a condition that can induce a lot of anxiety and depression. Service dogs can help address the main symptoms of OCD, which are irrational fear, difficulty tolerating uncertainty, needing things to be orderly and symmetrical, and self-harming thoughts. Just being in the presence of a service dog can help calm the owner. OCD sufferers take medication, so a service dog can remind the owner to take their dose on time and help ground them when symptoms become too much. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Service Dog? As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is an animal that has gone through specialized, individual training to perform tasks or work for individuals diagnosed with a disability. Service dogs are different from emotional support animals, which don't require training or certification. ESAs also don’t have to receive accommodations to enter public businesses like restaurants. Service dogs receive these protections under the ADA because their owners need them to navigate the world and do essential tasks. Do I Have to Register My Service Dog? Service dogs can benefit from registration if you want to keep up to date with legal changes that may positively impact your companion animal. Registration is a simple process, but your dog must undergo training and testing in order to be considered a true service dog. Speak to your veterinarian or find an organization that focuses on how you can begin training your dog to become a service animal. Can I Fly With My Service Dog? Recently revised rules from the Department of Transportation state that while emotional support animals are no longer allowed on flights, but service dogs are still a protected class. There are regulations you must abide by when traveling with your service dog. They must not use the bathroom while on a flight, and they can't be let off leash or out of their kennel. They also can't pose a threat to other passengers. Getting the Help You Deserve If you or someone you know is living with a mental illness that makes life difficult, look into getting a service dog. These animals can act as companions, help improve motor functioning, and encourage speech in those with speech difficulties. Do your research and find out of a service dog could help you or someone you love today. If you do qualify, also consider
registering your service dog. Doing so will allow you to
navigate legal changes with up to date information, avoid
uncomfortable questions, and the right knowledge to protect
your and your service animal's rights. Here are seven of the
best breeds for anxiety and depression. 7-19-22
With anxiety and depression rising at record levels nationwide, many are turning to alternative forms of relief. Some seek alternatives to prescription drugs, while others look for additional aids to use in conjunction with them. Animals have long proven an excellent, if somewhat mysterious, source of anxiety relief and none more so than the trusty dog. Dogs have demonstrated time and again that they can perform hugely versatile tasks, from mine detection to guide dogs for the blind. Still, their remarkable ability to provide emotional support and be responsive to a human companion’s distress in terms of anxiety and depression makes them stand out. Here are seven of the best breeds for anxiety and depression. 1. Poodles According to Stanley Coren’s book The Intelligence of Dogs, poodles are the second most intelligent dogs after border collies. Their intelligence also makes them excellent for anybody suffering from mental health issues. The breed that began life as hunting dogs for the French aristocracy has evolved into one of the most popular around. Their optimistic demeanor and super-friendly attitude make them a perfect companion around the house, but they are also more than happy going for long walks. Poodles are also incredibly receptive to human emotions while having quite an extraordinary capacity to learn. 2. Golden Labradors While some people can be picky about certain breeds, you’d have your work cut out to find somebody who didn’t like golden labradors. Alongside their cousins, the labrador retriever, they are among the most popular canines used as therapy, guide, and rescue dogs, and it’s not difficult to see why. Their character is almost always wonderfully warm and friendly. Having a golden labrador by your side can make an enormous difference for those suffering from mental health issues. Golden labradors also consistently rank highly in the Canine Good Citizen program, which aims to foster trust, obedience, and a friendly attitude in dogs. Whether you are looking to swim, run or play, golden retrievers are always ready for action with one of those big sloppy dog smiles plastered across their faces. 3. Chihuahuas Considering their tiny size and low maintenance, combined with their loving attitude and independence, chihuahuas make an excellent pet for anybody suffering from anxiety or depression. Small enough to happily snuggle with you either on the sofa or in bed, they can also be remarkably in tune with the emotional needs of their owner. Chihuahuas often get overlooked as service dogs because of their small stature. Still, they are often considered perfect for those suffering from emotional issues who could benefit from a constant source of support. They may be small, but considering they are usually more than happy to sit in a small travel case, chihuahuas are perfect as easily mobile dogs in more built-up areas. 4. Yorkshire Terriers The story goes that one day during World War II, Dr. Charles Mayo, who would later set up the Mayo Clinic, visited injured naval officers along with his Yorkshire terrier. The dog proved such a hit with the battle-scarred soldiers that it became the war’s cutest service dog, continuing in this capacity for another twelve years. Yorkshire terriers can be a little on the feisty side when it comes to anybody passing nearby, but they are fiercely loyal to their owner and can be wonderfully doting. They are known to establish strong bonds and are more than happy to travel long distances in shoulder bags or travel cases. Their desire to be with their owners as much as possible might be a little much for some. However, for those fighting depression, they can be an indispensable companion. 5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most adorable dog breeds around. Thanks to their sweet, gentle, quiet, and affectionate nature, they have long been a firm favorite for those fighting anxiety or depression. Once outside in nature, their spaniel roots usually take over. They can spend hours bounding happily through a forest, which can be excellent for those who find it difficult to motivate themselves to go out for long periods. Spaniels require a healthy amount of exercise, but so do humans, which often works well. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were the favored lapdogs of the Scottish and English nobility as early as the 15th Century and would warm the laps and feet of their masters. King Charles II became so enamored with them that the breed eventually took his name. 6. Pugs Pugs might look like they carry a facial expression of permanent disdain or grumpiness, but they are, in fact, one of the most positive dog breeds. They even come with their own Latin motto: Multum in parvo (a lot in a little). It is perfect for this tiny package that provides so much. Pugs are easily trained, easily adaptable to their surroundings, and wonderfully friendly. Their small stature is another great benefit, and they have quickly become one of the most universally adored dog breeds. While their exact origins aren’t known, some of the earliest recorded evidence of pugs comes from China, where their wrinkled face was revered. Here, they earned the nickname ‘Prince Mark’ because of the similarity to the character used for a prince in Chinese. 7. Great Danes From something tiny to something immense, last on our list but certainly not least nor smallest are the Great Danes. These majestic creatures are very different from other breeds on this list because of their enormous size. Grown adults can sometimes reach nearly 3ft in height at their shoulders and might weigh as much as 175lbs. Their size means that they might not be the best breed for many people suffering from anxiety or depression who travel frequently. However, they are perfect for those who prefer larger and more athletic dogs. Great Danes are wonderfully affectionate for such enormous creatures. Once adequately trained, Great Danes are calm and confident. They can be perfect for those with mental health issues looking for something other than the smaller dogs often used for this purpose. Great Danes are also much more independent than other breeds on this list. If you’re the kind of person that needs a little time alone now and again, this breed, sometimes referred to as ‘the Apollo of Dogs,’ might be a perfect choice. Conclusion For those battling anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, getting a dog might feel a little daunting. When you have a lot on your plate already, the last thing you want is to add to it. Still, the benefits to the mental health of having a dog are wide-ranging and include companionship, increased oxytocin production, and lower stress and fear levels. Choosing the right breed of dog to help address mental health issues will often come down to personal preference and the lifestyle and type of personality you prefer. Whichever breed you choose, register
it with Service Dog Registration of America. You’ll
gain access to our entire catalog of resources and materials
that can make life with a service dog significantly easier.
You don’t need to face anxiety and depression, and
you’ll find things suddenly seem a little bit brighter
with a service dog at your side. Robot
Pet Therapy a Growing Trend: Does It Work? Often used for surgical assistance, robots are making their way into medical clinics, too. Though it may be tempting to envision these devices as merely structures of wire and steel, think again: In some clinical settings, robots are covered in fur and even bark. If you’re familiar with the film The Stepford Wives, you may recall the pet, Robo Dog 3000. That robotic dog and similar creations have influenced the development of new and increasingly more realistic and sophisticated robot toys, often designed for children. Many of these innovative robots have taken on the form of dogs, cats, and rabbits–child-friendly critters that are possibly equally beloved by adults. Manufacturers are driven by the goal to create robots with a tremendous degree of realism. These aren’t the waddling, battery-operated $10 toys of past decades. They are complex robotic creations that simulate the existence of an animal like a dog, and they’re not only finding their way into luxury toy stores—they have an important therapeutic function to play in the treatment of certain health conditions. Though it may seem like robotic pets are still a thing of the future, that future is already here and helping people who suffer from serious medical conditions. Robot Toys Advance Simple battery-operated children’s toys have been popularly produced since the middle of the last century. Most people have seen mass-produced toys with their plastic parts and “batteries not included” labels at major chain toy stores and big box stores. In fact, these simple toys continue to sell well for their intended audience: young children. Over the years, though, manufacturers with the help of robotics and software engineers have worked to advance simple toys that mimic animals. Driven by the increased realism of video games, robot creators have borrowed futuristic concepts and transformed them into reality. And their uses aren’t merely for play. Increasingly, medical and science communities have embraced clinical uses for, specifically, robot dogs. In fact, even the military has developed its own robot dogs in the form of Diesel, an animatronic dog used to help train medics to care for live military working dogs and their handlers. Researchers from MIT, Boston Dynamics, and partnering organizations are testing robot dogs that take the vital signs of patients, specifically highly contagious patients diagnosed with COVID-19. But these “dogs” still retain the look of a robot. Robot Dogs for Therapy A new breed of robot dogs is now making its way into treatment and therapy for diseases that impact cognitive function like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Pet therapy involving the use of real animals has also increased in use to treat many different mental health conditions ranging from depression to post traumatic stress disorders. However, there is a high degree of expense and care associated with maintaining living pets. Patients suffering from dementia-type disorders and their caregivers can find it difficult to care for therapy animals. Robotic dogs, however, are easy to care for and they appear to offer some level of therapeutic value for patients. How Do Robot Dogs for Therapy Work? There are different types of robot dogs; some are more sophisticated than others. In the basic sense, these robots resemble dogs. They’re designed with fur, tails, paws, and other features that mimic the look of a small lap dog. The dogs also have animatronic features and sensors. For instance, if they sense the movement of the patient, they may blink, wag their tail, or make gentle sounds. Do Robot Therapy Pets Work? In clinical studies, robot dogs and pets have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety levels in patients suffering from dementia. How well do they work? In one clinical trial, researchers found that they could reduce the use of both pain and psychoactive medications in a group of elderly patients being treated for dementia. The robot pet, referred to as “PARO,” provide a demonstrable therapeutic benefit when it engaged with test patients. A study in the journal Issues in Mental Health Nursing found that incredibly realistic robot cats helped reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and stress levels. The robot cats helped reduce feelings of social isolation. In light of the recent pandemic when patients were isolated and unable to interact with family and friends while under care in medical facilities, these robot cats and other animatronic pets may signify greater therapeutic value. tients can pet or hug the pets, which have many lifelike qualities. They purr and move. Their fur feels like cat fur. The result is that patients feel calmer and less stressed. They’re able to spend their days in greater comfort, which has a benefit for the patients, of course, but also for their families who can’t be with them 24/7. The robots can–and they don’t need feeding, walking, or grooming. Should You Get One? If you have a family member who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you might not readily value the notion that a “moving stuffed animal” can offer any therapeutic help. However, studies suggest otherwise. And, remember, there are different types of robot dogs and cats available. Some are so hyper-realistic that family members of patients might not readily identify the animals as robots. One robot dog, known as “Tombot,” was developed with 16 motors and has multiple movements. It has the ability to respond to touch and voice. It can even sense between gentle and vigorous touching. Tombot’s ears lift. Its tail wags. It brings a lifelike level of interaction to the laps of patients who are otherwise unable to care for a live pet any longer. Today, there is a wide selection of robot animals, many of which are marketed specifically for patients living with dementia. Prices and ‘abilities’ vary, but for families searching for anything to bring comfort for their loved ones, these robots have promise based on clinical findings. Benefits of Robot Pets Of course, the chief disadvantage of these robot pets is that they aren’t the real thing–the warm, loving, spontaneous, live-action animal. However, as families know, the real thing isn’t always suitable in situations where patients are declining in both mental and physical health. The chief advantage of robot pets is that they are not living breathing beings. Patients can’t accidentally injure a living pet. They can’t forget to feed it or let it out for exercise and to relieve itself. Even in situations where dementia patients are cared for at home, the responsibility of caring for pets as well becomes difficult. Caring for a living pet in a clinical setting or hospital–impossible. Robot pets are welcome in those clinical settings where, alas, living dogs and cats are generally not. Exciting Uses for Modern Technology Many clinicians are excited about the trend of robots in medical settings. They’re able to see firsthand how patients become more relaxed when seated beside their robot dog or cat. The smile that even a robot dog can bring to someone who has been sitting for hours in pain and forgetful of their own children’s names is something that studies can’t precisely measure but that is still palpable to anyone witnessing it. Patients feel happier when they have a robot pet to hold, and, the purpose of technology is to make our lives easier. Robots like Tombot show that this is true even in situations no one may have imagined 50 years ago when these simple battery-operated toys were first sold to the public. Look for more studies on this topic as
the use of robot pets in dementia therapy and other medical
conditions advances.
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