Dog ownership and mental health - for better and worse

08.08.2022, 14:41 finchannel.com

 It is often believed that a close relationship between owners and their dogs can bring many mental health benefits to owners, but findings from a new study led by the University of Liverpool paint a more complicated picture. Researchers surveyed 1,693 adult dog owners in the UK to investigate whether those with stronger relationships with their dogs experience better mental health according to University of Liverpool. Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, their analysis found that a stronger dog–owner relationship was associated with greater feelings of emotional support and companionship but poorer levels of anxiety or depression. Key themes includ