How Dogs Relieve Stress & Make Us Happier
For James Hamm, owner of Lone Star Dog Training, there is one reason above all why canines are awesome.
Dogs may bark at you but they won’t talk back at you.
“I was not a firefighter but I was a soldier in the US Army for 31 years in military law enforcement. It’s a high stress field that is high risk, low pay with lots of expectations,” said Hamm. “Usually in our careers we are talked at and not talked with. A dog doesn’t talk back. We love things that don’t talk at us.”
Hamm is a retired United States Army Command Sergeant Major who has worked globally training soldiers, civilians and dogs to achieve success. He directed K9 and kennel operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, training Military Working Dogs during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Hamm explained one thing a dog is naturally gifted at is relieving stress and let’s face it – for first responders a positive stress release is a good thing to have.
“In my Army career we rarely had channels to get rid of that stress that builds up over time,” said Hamm, who explained that owning a canine can reduce the impact of high-pressure jobs like firefighting. “Dogs are calming. Just sitting with your dog, talking with your dog, putting your hand on your dog, it’s just very hard to stay hard, angry or tense when your dog is smiling beside you.”
It’s important to note that dogs are not simply cuddly animals that exist to make humans smile. Canines have shown tremendous courage and saved lives working with first responders, sometimes under appalling conditions. If there is a wildfire, earthquake or plane crash anywhere in the world you can be certain a dog is on the front line making a difference.
In fact, you can pay tribute to these four-legged heroes at one of several monuments in the United States dedicated to courageous canines. The “Ashes to Answers” National Fire Dog Monument in Washington, D.C. honors arson investigation dogs. Another beautiful tribute is featured at a temporary exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum called K-9 Courage, which honors the hundreds of dogs that participated in the response to the 9/11 attacks.
Other Benefits of Dog Ownership?
With that said, dogs are cuddly, cute, loyal and adorable. They are also one of the most calming animals on earth – depending on the breed. Mary R. Burch, PhD is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Family Dog Director with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the largest and oldest not-for-profit all-breed registry in the world with over 190 recognized breeds.
“When you’ve done your homework and decided the time is right for you to get a dog, you’ll find that your life can change in the most positive way,” says Dr. Burch.
Adding life-changing positive experiences is critical to the well-being of first responders. A 2018 report by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration entitled “First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma” reports the nature of the work of firefighters, including repeated exposure to painful and provocative experiences and erratic sleep schedules, can pose significant risk to firefighters’ mental health. To add to that risk, firefighters face many barriers to seeking help, including stigma and the cost of treatment. The report went on to say that depression is also commonly reported in firefighters and studies have found various rates and severity of depression.
Dogs and Firefighters
“Canines can play an important role in the life of firefighters and other first responders. Dogs can be entertaining and bring happiness at home after a long day at a stressful job. Dogs can provide a great distraction from the difficult work-related issues on one’s mind,” says Dr. Burch. “During the COVID pandemic, a group of nurses who were treating COVID patients formed an informal dog training group. They taught their dogs tricks to earn AKC Trick Dog titles. The nurses compared training tips via Zoom. One nurse wrote that training their dogs was the best thing that has happened since COVID started.”
Besides the mental health benefits, Dr. Burch says improved physical fitness is another reason to make a dog part of the family. The AKC FIT DOG program encourages people to walk daily with their dogs and use the American Heart Association’s (AHA) suggestion of walking 150 minutes per week.
Heart Health
“Dogs are good for your heart—studies show that dog owners have a lower risk of death; they have lower blood pressure,” says Dr. Burch. “And dogs can reduce stress. Petting a dog lowers one’s blood pressure, slows breathing, and helps a person relax. Petting a dog can reduce Cortisol, a major stress hormone. Dogs also increase our sociability. It is possible to meet new friends as a result of having a dog. In some cases, a dog can make a dog owner feel safer when at home or walking at a park.”
Looking for another reason to get a dog? They are outstanding listeners. After a long day you can unwind with your pet and talk about anything you want. And you can rest assured that in their own tender, reassuring, and heartfelt way your furry pal will answer right back.
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