Every time a siren is heard, our body responds almost immediately. The heart rate rises, breathing becomes faster, and the stress system is activated. This is a natural response designed to prepare us for danger, but when it repeats again and again it may burden both the body and the mind.
In protected spaces, stairwells, or shelters, many look for a way to relax. For quite a few people, both adults and children, the source of calming is right next to them at home – the dog or the cat.
In recent years, scientific knowledge has been accumulating showing that the connection between humans and pets is not only emotional or social, but also physiological. That is, the very contact with an animal can actually affect the body and the nervous system.
How pets affect stress
One of the prominent studies in the field was conducted at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with researchers from the United States. The researchers examined how encounters with dogs affect stress levels among children.
The children met with dogs twice a week for about twenty minutes, and their stress levels were measured through cortisol tests in saliva. This is a commonly accepted biological indicator of stress.
The results showed a significant decrease in stress levels among the children who participated in the meetings with the dogs compared to children who did not participate in the activity.
But the effect is not only sensory. Additional studies indicate that contact with pets is associated with a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in the hormone oxytocin a hormone that is associated with feelings of security, closeness, and calm.
A study conducted in Japan even found that interaction between a dog and its owner increases oxytocin levels in both parties both in the human and in the dog itself.
Special significance during crisis
The connection between humans and pets gains special importance in emergency situations. After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, it was found that people who kept pets suffered less from symptoms of post trauma in the long term.
The researchers explained that a pet can provide a sense of stability, routine, and emotional support precisely during periods of uncertainty.
This effect is also explained at the biological level. When a person pets a dog or a cat, the body can shift from a state of alertness to a calmer state. The nervous system switches to activity that promotes calm, and the body reduces the production of stress hormones.
Children respond differently to stress
In children, the stress response can be especially intense. They sometimes experience stress in a stronger physical and emotional way than adults.
In such situations, a familiar pet can serve as a significant source of comfort. The very contact with the animal, the ability to pet or talk to it, provides a sense of security that helps reduce the feeling of threat.
A mutual connection that calms both sides
The connection between humans and pets is not one sided. Studies show that in dogs themselves a decrease in stress indicators can also be seen during positive interaction with humans. This is a mutual relationship in which both sides benefit from the connection and are positively affected by it.
Bottom line, in a reality where sirens and stress have become part of the routine, it is important to find simple and accessible ways to calm down. Sometimes the solution does not require complex techniques. Quietly petting a dog or a cat can help the body move from a state of alertness to a state of calm and restore a sense of security within a challenging reality.
And if you have a pet at home, you may already have a natural and effective tool to cope with stress.
The author, Dr. Sharon Maoz Navon, chief veterinarian at Let the Animals Live and manager of the association’s shelter in Kfar Rut