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Unconditional Love

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Nov 25, 2024
  • 4 min read

 

We have been dog owners for a long time.  The house seems too quiet and clean when there isn’t a dog around.   And we miss the affectionate greetings every time we come through the front door.  Dogs are unconditional love.   What happens to us when we create such tight bonds with our dogs?  How does an animal become a family member?

 

There has been some research on this very topic – no doubt from a dog owner.  As it turns out, our canine friends can produce oxytocin (a neurochemical responsible for the bonding between a mother and baby).  The release of oxytocin creates a strong emotional bond between you and your dog.  A feedback loop of continued gazing into your dog’s eyes will create more oxytocin for you and your dog and bonding occurs. 

 

“People recognize that there is something special about bonds between humans and their pets,” said APA President Rebecca Brendel, M.D., JD.  “The animals we bring into our lives and our families play many roles from non-judgmental companions that we love to key partners in reducing our stress and anxiety.  Americans clearly recognize that our relationships with our pets can have noticeable benefits for our overall mental health.”

 

Those who said their pets positively impact their mental health cited several key benefits, including

·      Help reduce stress and anxiety (69%)

·      Provide unconditional love and support (69%)

·      Offer companionship (69%)

·      Provide a calming presence (66%)

·      Are true friends (63%)

Neuroscientists have noticed the amazing bonds pets establish with their owners.  They have identified 5 Big Brain Benefits of pet ownership. 

 

1.    Slower cognitive decline

A study out of the University of Michigan earlier this year found that people who own dogs (or cats) wind up having slower cognitive decline in old age than their peers who don’t own pets.

“Prior studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits like decreasing blood pressure and stress,” said study author Tiffany Braley, a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Our results suggest pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline.”

 

2.    Increased brain activity

Studies have discovered that simply petting a real, live dog stimulates brain activity, compared to the experience of petting a stuffed animal that mimics a real dog.

“We chose to investigate the frontal cortex because this brain area is involved in several executive functions, such as attention, working memory, and problem-solving.  But it also is involved in social and emotional processes, “the study’s lead author, doctoral student Rahel Marti, told CNN.

 

3.    Better team building

A study from 2017 found that in work settings, the mere presence of a dog led people to act more cooperatively.

“Behavior in dog-present groups was rated as more cooperative, comfortable, friendly, active, enthusiastic, and attentive,” wrote the study’s authors, whose work is based in the Department of Psychology at Central Michigan.

 

4.    Stress reduction

Another study, published in PLOS ONE earlier this year, found that dogs can tell whether people are stressed based on their odors, while other studies have shown that new pet owners wind up with a reduction in the number of minor health issues they have, and undertake significantly more exercise than those who don’t own pets.

 

Oxytocin, a neurochemical, produces other physiological changes.

 It can decrease heart rate, slow down breathing, lower blood pressure, and inhibit the production of stress hormones.  These reactions result in a sense of calm, comfort, and focus.  All these things can happen from petting a dog!

 

5.    Better overall health

Finally, a German and Austrian longitudinal study of 10,969 people determined that people who own pets are the “healthiest group,” and “people who cease to have a pet or never had one are less healthy.”

 

There is a release of other neurochemicals when interacting with your pet.  You boost levels of beta-endorphins (natural painkillers) and dopamine (reward hormone).  These neurochemicals are key to our sense of wellbeing.  A study by University of Missouri researchers demonstrated that petting dogs caused a spike in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that anti-depressants try to elevate.  That is a lot of brain action from interacting with your dog!

 

So, to Springsteen, Orbison, Harrison, Jester, Max, and Cooper – thank you for your unconditional love, the ability to quiet my brain, and many years of joy.  The memories of all of you are locked in my heart.  And a big hello to Rev – right now a young boxer.  Your energy and enthusiasm keep me on my toes.  All of you had different personalities but I loved and love you all the same.  I am very lucky! 


 

References:

 

American Psychiatric Association. (March 01, 2023). American note overwhelming positive mental health impact of their pets in new poll; dogs and cats equally beneficial.  Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/positive-mental-health-impact-of-pets

 

Montgomery,S. (January 12, 2015). Psychological effects of pets are profound. Retrieved from http://bostonglobe.com

 

Murphy, B.Jr. (November 10, 2022). Neuroscience says people with dogs get these 5 big brain benefits. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/neuroscience-says-people-with-dogs-have-with-5-big-brain-benefits.html

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Comments

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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