Dogs are man’s best friend. They are lovable, cute and completely loyal to their owner. But can a dog really help with anxiety and stress?
My school Langley Park School For Girls has decided to purchase an adorable puppy by the name of Lola, and while she is completely adorable I’m still not entirely convinced that a dog can “cure” anxiety.
But first, we need to ask ourselves what is anxiety? The NHS defines anxiety as “Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe”.
So far this academic year, Lola has embarked on a camping trip with the year 7’s where she distracted many nervous students from homesickness and minor injuries such as a grazed knee e.t.c. and has made many appearances at my school’s student support to calm out any stressed or anxious students.
From a professional viewpoint dogs can trigger higher levels of oxytocin the love hormone which makes you feel tranquil and loving. This hormone combats the effects of anxiety and stress by calming and relaxing the body and the mind.
In conclusion, I do believe that dogs and other household pets can dramatically reduce levels of stress and anxiety and having a dog in schools and universities/colleges should become more commonplace. Finally, I think I speak for all of Langley Girls when I say: I can’t wait to see what Lola will do next.
