In a world of working late nights, and high pressured office environments, it’s no surprise that stress and decreased mental health is becoming such a crucial issue. We’re consistently bombarded with recruitment websites and adverts telling us that we deserve to enjoy our job, but if our mental health is suffering this can easily spread to our motivation and overall productivity.
Dogs are an amazing source of enjoyment for adults and children of all ages, and recent scientific research has found that they could be the key to improved mental wellbeing. But how exactly could such adorable creatures even begin to improve such a growing concern throughout the UK? We’re here to prove that working with, or around, dogs could significantly improve your mental wellbeing.
Advice from the experts
A recent study by the Mental Health Foundation found that dogs could extremely beneficial in tackling a number of mental health issues, including Depression, Anxiety, ADHD and learning difficulties, and could even seek to improve the effects of Alzheimer’s.
A dogs’ daily need for long, and sometimes exhaustive, walks could help to improve motivation, the foundation suggests, providing structure to your day as it is something vital to their everyday care. Simply spending some time cuddling and playing with a dog could also encourage relaxation, and offer stress relief against life’s daily concerns. These benefits could also see a significant improvement for sufferers of anxiety and loneliness. Not only could dogs help to eradicate loneliness among the elderly, but they’re calming impact could also prevent anxious outbursts that are commonly associated with those who suffer from Alzheimer’s. And finally, children who suffer from ADHD and other learning difficulties could find solace in the non-judgmental and loving personas of dogs, improving their overall self-confidence.
University and workplace stress busters
The evidence is so concrete that a number of workplaces have already introduced animal therapy as a successful stressbuster in the office, and as a means to improve staff morale. Universities have also turned to dogs to combat stress and over-working, particularly during the very demanding student exam season. This tactic has been adopted by multiple universities, such as Swansea University, among others, and more recently Universities in Bristol, Nottingham, and Aberdeen, have introduced puppy rooms for a 15-minute cuddle session.
Benefits for you
So how could time spent with a cuddly canine benefit your general mental wellbeing? Well, to begin with, research suggests that spending extended periods of time with animals could in fact improve your immunity against allergies, and even asthma. They’re also completely dependent on you, needing regular walks, mental stimulation, and the essentials like daily food and water. This could keep you focussed and in the present, distracting you from the stresses of daily life, and improving your overall mood.
A career working with dog could be helping someone in desperate need, whether you’re training them as service or therapy dogs, or providing help and support for dog owners. But just as importantly, you could be helping a dog in need. Thousands of dogs have experienced extreme hardship in their lives, and could be suffering from serious illnesses. A career working with dogs, on any level, could see a significant improvement in their lives, and you’ll even feel proud of what you achieved by helping an animal in need.
Dogs provide endless affection and unconditional love to all who encounter them, and let’s face it, they really do put a smile on our faces! If you’re interested in a career working with dogs, visit Animal Jobs Direct for career advice and training opportunities.
