Why are dogs the PAWFECT boosters for Mental Wellbeing

We are a nation of dog lovers, with 27% of UK adults owning a pooch; that’s a whopping 10.2m dogs in the UK alone, according to the PDSA. So why is the furry friend so popular? Well, we have a theory, and it is linked to the feel-good benefits they have on us, humans.

Mood Boosters 

“They are mood boosters”, says Gina Maria Buckney, Founder of Your People Power, a workplace performance and wellbeing organisation. 

Have you ever returned home to not be greeted excitedly by your furry friend? The happiness and joy they express cannot fail to affect us in a positive way.

There’s science behind it says Gina Maria, “A dog’s presence increases the production of oxytocin in the brain. We can think of this biochemical as the ‘love’ chemical. They also improve our central nervous system by increasing serotonin, which we can think of as the happy chemical. Increasing these chemicals helps reduce stress and anxiety levels and lower blood pressure”. 

Increased Physical Activity

Dogs need walking, so it means you are getting exercise at the same time. According to NAMI, exercise releases endorphins, which help to fight depression, and having a dog provides consistency and routine, which is good for our mental health. 

Reduced work-related stress 

According to heart.org, pets can reduce work-related stress, with two-thirds of employees reporting work stress. In addition, studies show having pets in the office improves employee satisfaction and helps reduce stress. 

Gina Maria is an advocate of pet therapy, especially for people with high-stressed workloads. Her little dog Angel-Face has helped her immensely, especially in her recovery from extreme burnout from her previous career in Financial Services.

“When you work in intense environments, or you have important targets to hit, we tend not to take breaks; sometimes it’s cultural too, but having a dog now forces me to take a break, to get up from the desk, take a walk outside, get some fresh air and recharge the batteries, and come back with an increased focus”, says Gina Maria.


Gina Maria Buckney, Workplace Performance and Wellbeing Expert and her wellbeing dog Angel-Face

Improved thinking and focus 

Studies at Washington State University found when people interacted with dogs, their ability to think, plan and concentrate—their executive function—was enhanced. Fascinatingly, the effect lasted six weeks after contact with dogs.

When you’re focused, you are zoned in on completing one task. Focus helps you give all your attention to the project in front of you. Focus also enables you to complete more rather than having multiple projects in various stages of completion. You will feel better, happier and more motivated to work on the next task when you can cross one off your current to-do list.

“Having more dog-friendly office spaces would help improve productivity and workplace happiness,” says Gina Maria. 

But, would your employer allow dogs in the office? According to a recent Forbes article, Pet-Friendly workplaces are on the rise, so it’s worth raising it to your employer if they currently don’t allow dogs in the workplace.

Unconditional Love 

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”  

Unconditional love is defined as affection without any limitations or love without conditions. This type of love is commonly associated with dogs, a species that is celebrated for providing loyal companionship to humans. 

2009 study explored the brain regions activated by feelings of unconditional love. The results suggested unconditional love activates some of the same areas of the brain’s reward system romantic love does, so the act of loving someone unconditionally may produce positive feelings and help us feel good and well.

The list is endless

Psychologist Harold Herzog, a professor at Western Carolina University who has long studied the human-animal connection, shared some benefits with CNN for the owners of furry friends, such as – 

  • Higher survival rates 
  • Fewer heart attacks 
  • Less loneliness 
  • Better blood pressure 
  • Better psychological wellbeing 
  • Lower rates of depression and stress levels 
  • Fewer doctor visits 
  • Increased self-esteem 
  • Better sleep and more physical activity

So, with benefits like these it is no wonder that dogs continue to be one of the most popular animals humans choose to have as their beloved pet.

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    Articles written by experts in their field. Our experts are sharing their knowledge and expertise, however their opinions and ideas may not be the opinions of Wellbeing Magazine. Any article offering advice should be first discussed with their GP before trying any treatments, products or lifestyle changes.