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Prescription Pets

Stanley Coren, Professor, Department of Psychology

Will physicians soon be “prescribing” pet dogs to the elderly? Current research may soon uncover a breakthrough in our understanding of how pets can significantly extend the health and well-being of the elderly.

Since my research covers several research areas, including human perception, sleep, neuropsychology, canine behavior, and the human-animal bond, I find myself in the odd position of first having to decide which research lines are going to move forward most quickly, before making predictions about the what new significant findings will impact our lives. I find it difficult to not mention the findings that are beginning to link inadequate sleep time with a weakened immune system, or the research line suggesting that left-handers have different drug sensitivities than right-handers, since these will affect the health and life spans of many people. However it might be interesting to highlight a much less well known area of research.

I have always been interested in the bond that people have with their pet dogs. It is now becoming clearer that dog ownership has advantages that affect physical well-being and quality of life. A number of years ago research showed that petting a familiar and friendly dog lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing, and reduced muscle tension. These are all signs of reduced stress. It is now becoming clearer that in an era where people are living longer, but often spend the last years of their lives in relative social isolation, that companion dogs can now serve a health related purpose. One preliminary study has shown that men who had their first heart attacks were more likely to be alive four years later if they owned a dog. Elderly people, who are otherwise alone seem to require less medical attention and are less likely to become clinically depressed if they live with a dog. Some new research is looking at the relationship between dog ownership and other stress related diseases. It is my belief that we will see a major breakthrough in the next few years which may even result in physicians “prescribing” pet dogs to improve the physical and psychological health of our aging population.