Another Possible Reason Dogs Are Good

It's not enough to be a proverbial best friend

If you've got a woofer (a dog, an animal who woofs) at home, then it’s highly probably you are aware of the joy they bring. But guess what? Hanging out with your doggo (charming combination of dog and dingo) isn't just good for your mood – it's a potential brain booster too!

According to a recent study, that is.

Researchers from Konkuk University in South Korea took a closer look at the effects of spending time with a dee-oh-gee. This goes well beyond just improved feelings and/or hormone levels, we are talking about increases in a subject’s concentration and creativity capacity.

The study involved 30 folks who got to hang out with a four-year-old poodle. They did all sorts of dog-related activities (including toy play and the all-time favorite, the giving of the treat) and what did they find?

<Above are the examples of the interactions, below are descriptions thereof.>

Well, when people were walking or playing with the pooch, their brain waves showed more of what's called alpha-band oscillations, suggesting they were feeling pretty relaxed. On the other hand, if they were grooming or massaging the dog, their beta-band oscillations got stronger, indicating heightened concentration.

Interestingly, not everyone in the study owned a pet, but even these weirdos still reaped the brain benefits.

Thus the study suggests and supports what many have long assumed, that spending time with dogs could have therapeutic benefits.

Hopefully this DOES NOT mean a further uptick in service dogs. I think we are at maximum capacity with that. But, this research does seem to point in the general direction that hanging out with our dogs is a decidedly good thing. For us humans and our minds.