CMU study finds 15-minute dog interaction a bark above the rest

Chiang Mai University (CMU) researchers have discovered that a mere 15-minute interaction with a dog can serve as a significant stress reliever for students amidst the intensity of pre-examination studies.

Assistant Professor Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, a member of the research team, explained the reasoning.

“Being social creatures, humans often find mood and mental enhancement through frequent interactions. Thus, the therapeutic impact observed in students interacting with dogs is not surprising.”

The research, titled Preliminary Study of the Effect of Dog-Assisted Therapy on Stress Relief in University Students, was a joint effort involving the Department of Psychology from the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the CMU Library.

The study enlisted the participation of 122 CMU students. The students were categorised into three sub-groups based on their stress levels, which were determined through tests, blood pressure and heart rate measurements, and cortisol levels, a hormone linked to stress, said Professor Korakot Nganvongpanit, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and leading author of the student stress study.

“The study was conducted in the final week of exam preparation, a time when students typically experience heightened stress levels.”

The dogs involved in the study were selected for their emotional stability and positive human interaction training, which helped induce a calming effect in their human counterparts, reported Bangkok Post.

This interaction between the dogs and students was identified by the research team as “emotional co-regulation,” a tool effective in stress reduction, assistant Professor Saengduean noted.

“After a short 15-minute session of dog-assisted therapy, we recorded a significant decrease in students’ stress levels.”

In related news, two university lecturers were booted from their positions amidst a sprawling scandal involving 109 academics from 33 universities regarding stolen research papers and plagiarism. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) made the revelation earlier this year on January 24.

Supachai Pathumnakul, the MHESI Deputy Permanent Secretary, revealed that a comprehensive investigation into the academic wrongdoings had been undertaken. Out of the 74 scholars scrutinised, 60 were absolved of any misconduct. However, a damning verdict was passed on 14 academics from eight universities, with two facing severe repercussions.