Good news for dog owners! People with pooches more likely to feel loved

By Jill Dando News

Dogs have become a pet of choice for millions in Britain, America and across the world.

Now in a latest study, it looks like they also make us feel more loved.

Owning a dog may have cushioned owners from some of the negative psychological impacts of the Covid19 pandemic, a new study suggests.

Researchers in St Louis, Missouri found that those who own a dog have been significantly less depressed throughout the pandemic than those who would like to own one, but do not.

RELATED: https://goodnewspost.co.uk/peppa-pig-for-dogs-now-pet-pooches-get-their-own-tv/

People who owned a dog gave higher scores, on average, when they were asked to rate how much social support they had around them.

This was defined in three parts: a feeling of being cared for; the belief that one is loved, esteemed and valued; and a sense of belonging to a reciprocal network.

(Pictures from Pexels.com)

Previous studies have shown that dogs can be beneficial to mental health.

Dawn Carey, Head of fast-growing In Charley’s Memory mental health charity, https://www.incharleysmemory.co.uk has their own therapy dog Jeffrey, A King Charles Spaniel. He helps bring peace and calm to people young and old.

She said: “I think this study would be absolutely correct. Having a dog can bring companionship, affection and definitely can make us feel more loved.”

For more animal stories click https://goodnewspost.co.uk/category/animals/

(WHILE YOU’RE HERE… We are seeing, hearing and listening to more 24.7 bad news than ever before in world history. Since 9.11 in 2001 and Covid19 there has been huge ongoing fear-inducing news, negativity and anxiety that has worsened the mental health crisis. The Post is in stark contrast with ’News That’s Good For You!’. Our Jill Dando News reporters, some as young as 8, are finding and publishing good news across the world in the memory of the former BBC journalist Jill Dando who was murdered in 1999. Positive, humble Jill was the smiling face of journalism. The Post aims to bring that smile back by training hundreds of young people to do good news journalism. We are making the world a better place with good news. Send us your stories news@goodnewspost.org)