Thursday, April 12, 2012

Dogs Lower Workplace Stress

US researchers found those with access to dogs were less stressed as the day went on than those who had none. The preliminary study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management looked at 75 staff.

The researchers suggested access to dogs boosted morale and reduced stress levels, whether people had access to their own pets or other people's. The study was carried out by a team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University who looked at a manufacturing company where people are allowed to bring their pets to work.

Stress hormone levels were measured using saliva samples during the day. In the morning, there was no difference between the three groups. But during the course of the work day, stress levels appeared to decline for employees with their dogs present and increased for non-pet owners and dog owners who did not bring their dogs to work. The researchers also noted that stress rose significantly during the day when owners left their dogs at home compared to days they brought them to work.


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