Why Does Pet Therapy Work? (It's Not Just Cute Dogs)

Many studies have shown that pets can relieve anxiety, stress, and provide comfort, but why pet therapy is effective has a lot more to do with us than our furry pals.

Hosted by: Brit Garner
----------
----------
Dooblydoo thanks go to the following Patreon supporters:
Lazarus G, Sam Lutfi, Nicholas Smith, D.A. Noe, سلطا الخليفي, Piya Shedden, KatieMarie Magnone, Scott Satovsky Jr, Charles Southerland, Patrick D. Ashmore, Tim Curwick, charles george, Kevin Bealer, Chris Peters
----------
Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?
----------
REFERENCES

Image Source:

[matteussilvestre]

I never thought I'd hear the word "puppers" in a scientific video. Thanks, SciShow Psych!

[TreespeakerOfTheLand]

There was literally a cat walking around the uni library half an hour ago :')

[Master_Therion]

Pet therapy absolutely can work! It took a few therapy sessions, but my dog is much better now.

[jcherry]

Had animal therapy. It was calming to cuddle little chickens and pigs.

[axlia]

Watching this with my non-trained pupper giving me a hug and kisses.

I suffer from severe generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and complex PTSD, and my pupper is always there to make me feel so much better.

[caustic]

A few times when I've been in a psych hospital they've provided pet therapy, usually a poodle or golden retriever. I felt a noticeable difference after getting to pet the dogs and just chill with them. The hospital is such a cold, clinical setting but the warmth of an animal presence cuts through that negative atmosphere for me.

[dorissaclaire]

Watching this while petting my cat after a doctor appointment and taking half a dozen medications. Pets definitely help 😊

[bophadesnutz]

I got my pet boa, Cleo, right as I started felling the stress of how close I was coming to not graduating high school. But holding her, looking into those innocent eyes, watching her noodle about and explore the world.... It made all of that melt away. I love my lil girl <3

[microbuilder]

Sounds like this ties into the "why does nature make you feel better" video pretty well.

[thecreature]

No, it's cute cats to, and any other cute animal.
Joking aside, really interested to learn about this. I have a pet dog, so learning about any way she can help me, be it now or in the future, is great

[iReppoGames]

Can I cuddle with a velociraptor? Need to calm my nerves

[ChronicallyTT]

I've got a chinchilla who came with me across the country and I would never be able to get through life without. He's my little buddy and a mental health booster!

[AnnikaVictoria]

My dog helps me so much with my chronic pain and illness 😭🐶

[peteraustin]

Meeting an empathic, caring, non-judgmental person has a similar effect.

[xalyssa._]

When I’m around animals it helps me be happy and have energy 😊

[fromscratchauntybindy]

I've also seen visits between kindergarten children and toddlers with the elderly have a similar effect for the elderly. The littlies are non judgy because they're curious and sweet whilst the elderly enjoyed the chats, telling their well worn tales to new ears and in some cases feeling more productive again helping littlies (and vice versa)

[naginoriette]

I volunteer every week at my local animal shelter, and after the cleaning and work is done, I usually spend an hour or so socializing with the cats (we have a cat wing and a dog wing, I work in the cat wing). It's amazing what spending some time with animals can do for mental health!

[SharkWitchMeruna]

As an Aibo owner, I’m so happy you mentioned robot dogs!!

[RandyJames]

What about dogs that have been mistreated before -- perhaps by a male? Dogs _can_ be prejudicial. In these situations, I've been stressed by their presence. But overall, pets are indeed a stress reliever.

[Moonsong]

so apparently humans pack bonding to anything has an evolutionary purpose. now let's see someone try AAT with a roomba.