The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The Science Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy
Abstract
Animal-assisted therapy is a complementary medicine intervention, typically utilizing dogs trained to be obedient, calm, and comforting. Several studies have reported significant pain relief after participating in therapy dog visits. Objective reports of reduced pain and pain-related symptoms are supported by studies measuring decreased catecholamines and increased endorphins in humans receiving friendly dog visits. Mirror neuron activity and disease-perception through olfactory ability in dogs may also play important roles in helping dogs connect with humans during therapeutic encounters. This review will explore a variety of possible theories that may explain the therapeutic benefits that occur during therapy dog visits.
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Canine-assisted therapy is a complementary intervention using professionally trained dogs to enhance individuals' physical, social, emotional, or cognitive functioning.
“Canine-assisted therapy is a complementary intervention using professionally trained dogs to enhance individuals’ physical, social, emotional, or cognitive functioning [14, 15].”
From Canine-assisted therapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels of university students: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [15]
Therapy dogs and their handlers undergo specialized training to ensure that interactions are beneficial and secure.
“Therapy dogs and their handlers undergo specialized training to ensure that interactions are beneficial and secure [15].”
From Canine-assisted therapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels of university students: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [15]
Even briefly interacting with therapy dogs can lower stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, increase endorphin and oxytocin levels, leading to decreased stress, anxiety, and pain, improved mood, and better social bonding.
“Even briefly interacting, such as hugging, petting, and sitting next to therapy dogs, can lower levels of stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, increase endorphin levels and oxytocin, leading to decreased stress, anxiety, and pain, improve mood, and better social bonding [15].”
From Canine-assisted therapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels of university students: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [15]
Citations
Cites
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“Oxytocin also offers anti-stress effects and increases pain threshold [23], with levels shown to increase following dog interactions [21, 24, 25].”
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Mirror neuron system involvement in empathy: A critical look at the evidence
Baird, A. D., Scheffer, I. E., & Wilson, S. J. (2011) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2010.547085 · Cited by 137 · cited 1×
“For example, observing a happy person may also make the observer feel happier, with this empathic link explained, at least in part, by activation of mirror neurons [9].”
BackgroundHaubenhofer, D. K., & Kirchengast, S. (2006) · Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science · doi:10.1207/s15327604jaws0902_5 · Cited by 120
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Animals in Healthcare Facilities: Recommendations to Minimize Potential Risks
Murthy, R., Bearman, G., Brown, S., Bryant, K., Chinn, R., Hewlett, A., George, B. G., Goldstein, E. J. C., Holzmann-Pazgal, G., Rupp, M. E., et al. (2015) · Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology · doi:10.1017/ice.2015.15 · Cited by 142
Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now
Creagan, E. T., Bauer, B. A., Thomley, B. S., & Borg, J. M. (2015) · Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.03.002 · Cited by 110
Shchaslyvyi, A. Y., Antonenko, S. V., & Telegeev, G. D. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21081077 · Cited by 73
Sim, S. Q., Liu, Z., Wu, Z., Wang, S., & Nisa, C. (2025) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04955-2 · Cited by 14
Metadata
- Authors
- Marcus, D. A.
- Venue
- Current Pain and Headache Reports
- Published
- 2013-02-22
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 4
- ISSN
- 1531-3433
- 1534-3081
- Cited by
- 84
- References
- 5
- Language
- en
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
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