March 18, 2015 / Modified mar 18, 2015 3:20 p.m.

UA Researchers Explore Health Benefits of Man's Best Friend

Researchers seek human participants and funding to find if dog ownership improves human probiotics.

Dog Spot
Provided by Zac Ziegler, AZPM

Listen:

University of Arizona researchers are seeking participants for a new study about how dog ownership can make humans healthier.

Scientists already know about the emotional benefits of having a four-legged best friend, but the Human-Animal Interaction Research Initiative is looking to determine the impact on a human’s physical health.

Program coordinator Kim Kelly said there is already evidence that having a dog can lessen auto-immune disorders and allergy issues in humans, but that there is still more to observe about the ramifications of owning a dog, especially the probiotic effects.

“Microbes in our gut can have profound effects on our health, both our mental health as well as our physical well being,” Kelly said. “So our question then became ‘Is there something in the transfer of these microbes between dogs and humans that is actually making us healthier?’”

The study will analyze blood and skin samples of humans and their canine companions over three months to track health changes.

Those interested in participating in the study can contact Kelly at kkelly@psychiatry.arizona.edu. The group also has a Facebook page.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona