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Dogs and blood pressure in non-dog owners

By Natasha Adamson

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Abstract

Several studies have shown that the presence of a dog can reduce blood pressure during a stressful situation. A study done in 2001 demonstrated that for blood pressure to be reduced during a stressor the subjects must be dog owners. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if four, one hour, exposures to a dog is sufficient for reducing blood pressure in non-dog owning subjects. Twenty-three volunteers from an undergraduate psychology class were shown three holocaust photographs, in the presence of a familiar dog, unfamiliar dog, or without a dog. The results of the study found that there was a significant difference in blood pressure rate changes as a function of the slightly familiar dog’s presence. The lower blood pressure was associated with the group that was previously exposed to the dog. These data suggest that non-dog owning subjects can experience lowered blood pressures if they are exposed for a short amount of time to a dog prior to testing.

Submitter

Marcy Wilhelm-South

Purdue University

Date 2004
Pages 27
Department Psychology
Degree Bachelor's
URL https://scholars.carroll.edu/handle/20.500.12647/3807
Language English
University Carroll College
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Tags
  1. Animal roles
  2. Animal science
  3. Blood Pressure
  4. Dogs
  5. Mammals
  6. open access
  7. Pet ownership
  8. Pets and companion animals
  9. Psychiatry and psychology
Badges
  1. open access