The pandemic caused fear, sadness and isolation, but you might
feel better if you have a cute loving dog with you. Still,
François Martin, the researcher in animal-human relations knows it
himself. He was helped by his two Great Danes, and he felt from
experience that dogs can give people they live with a stronger
sense of social support and lessen some of the negative
psychological effects of pandemic. According to Martin, the head of the
animal welfare team at Nestlé Purina in St. Joseph, Missouri, when
asked about the role of the dog in people's life they confess
feeling to belong to the same group with their pet and being kept
busy. The dog needs to be walked, trained, and it gives the person
some sense of life. "I don't know anyone who would be as happy as
my dogs to see me every day" - Martin adds. Dogs are indeed
supportive, especially during difficult times such as pandemic.
Over 1500 dog owners participated in the survey in November 2020
and spring 2021.
Dog owners are remarkably less depressed than those who don't have
such companions; besides they pay more attention to other pets and
are happier. If we compare condition of those who suffer from
anxiety and from depression, dog ownership is much more important
to those distressed because of COVID and lacking social support.
In harmony with Martin's words, the person who is not really
depressed in general and not overwhelmed because of pandemic,
won't feel a big difference while having a companion, in contrast
to those who suffer from loneliness. Martin's research results
were published in PLOS One on December 15.
It is well-known and also confirmed by Teri Wright, a
psychotherapist at a private clinic in Santa Ana, Calif., that
pets, including dogs, can provide affection, companionship and
entertainment. Still, a decision to get a dog should be carefully
considered, because for some dogs can be a source of stress. Teri
Wright is a dog owner, but she also has a rabbit Dusty at her
office, and this rabbit helps her clients to get more relaxed.
Stanley Coren, professor emeritus in the
Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in
Vancouverhas, owns two dogs - a Nova Scotia Retriever named Ranger
and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ripley. He makes an
interesting note about the value of a dog for persons affected by
stress and anxiety. It is natural that spending time with a dog
might reduce life concerns and social anxiety, but medical and
financial anxiety will remain. Koren emphasizes that people's
depression might be reduced because of dog's positivity, which is
absolutely necessary during the pandemic. When a person lives
alone and is not supported by anyone, a dog will most probably
help maintaining this person's mental health. In order to
understand better the connections between animals and people and
the way they contribute to people's happiness more research is
needed. It is generally admitted, and Martin agrees with this,
that if the person loves dogs and has opportunity to get a dog, he
or she better should do it.
The following sources were used in the article:
Francois Martin, PhD, section leader, Behavior and Welfare Group,
Nestle Purina, St. Joseph, Mo .; Teri Wright, PhD, mental health
therapist, private practice, Santa Ana, Calif .; Stanley Coren,
PhD, professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver; PLOS One, Dec. 15, 2021
Link to the original article:
https://consumer.healthday.com/12-16-an-unsung-hero-of-the-pandemic-dogs-2655960472.html
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According to Martin, the head of the
animal welfare team at Nestlé Purina in St. Joseph, Missouri, when
asked about the role of the dog in people's life they confess
feeling to belong to the same group with their pet and being kept
busy. The dog needs to be walked, trained, and it gives the person
some sense of life. "I don't know anyone who would be as happy as
my dogs to see me every day" - Martin adds. Dogs are indeed
supportive, especially during difficult times such as pandemic.
Over 1500 dog owners participated in the survey in November 2020
and spring 2021. 
Stanley Coren, professor emeritus in the
Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in
Vancouverhas, owns two dogs - a Nova Scotia Retriever named Ranger
and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ripley. He makes an
interesting note about the value of a dog for persons affected by
stress and anxiety. It is natural that spending time with a dog
might reduce life concerns and social anxiety, but medical and
financial anxiety will remain. Koren emphasizes that people's
depression might be reduced because of dog's positivity, which is
absolutely necessary during the pandemic. When a person lives
alone and is not supported by anyone, a dog will most probably
help maintaining this person's mental health. In order to
understand better the connections between animals and people and
the way they contribute to people's happiness more research is
needed. It is generally admitted, and Martin agrees with this,
that if the person loves dogs and has opportunity to get a dog, he
or she better should do it. 
