A ground-breaking study offers a biological explanation for the benefits of the child-dog bond: effects on oxytocin levels. Until now, little has been known about the biological mechanics at work during human and animal interactions (HAI).
The study by Gnanadesikan et al., published in Psychoneuroendocrinology offers fresh insights into the biological benefits of HAIs for children. In the study, oxytocin levels were recorded in children and their pet dogs. Oxytocin, commonly referred to as “the love hormone”, is associated with positive emotions, the reduction of stress and the formation of social bonds.
Among other measures, oxytocin levels were tracked in both the children’s and dogs’ urine and saliva before and after they interacted. This is an innovative approach for HAI research: while previous studies have examined the benefits of HAI to either humans or dogs, this is one of few to simultaneously investigate the benefits to both.
Interactions took place under two conditions: children interacted with their pet dog and an unfamiliar dog (a trained therapy dog). Oxytocin levels were also measured as the children engaged in solitary play.
After analysing the results, Gnanadesikan et al. found:
- Interaction with dogs led to higher oxytocin levels in children compared to solitary play
- Both familiar and unfamiliar dog interactions had this effect
- Interactions with familiar children may similarly stimulate oxytocin release in dogs. Dogs’ cortisol concentrations also decreased markedly from before to after these interactions
Vanessa Ashall, human-animal interaction (HAI) technical Leader at WPSI, concluded that: “As well as adding new, interesting findings to the growing body of research on human-animal interactions, this study goes one step further to provide biological evidence of the potential role that dogs can play in children’s social and emotional growth, and the mutual benefit these interactions have for pet dogs too.”
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