Anyone who comes to see a therapist at Tri-City Psychology Services will warm to this story featured today in the WSJ. For all those of you who haven’t sampled the delights of our practice let me elaborate. 2 very important parts of our practice are Mac and Portia our 2 Scottish terriers. Greeting patients with enthusiasm, but often are caught sleeping on the job. Since we opened the doors to our practice Portia was eager and ready to lend a helping paw! 3 years ago Mac made his entrance, and with his quirky cuteness quickly slipped into the role of chief greeter and first on the scene when anyone arrives.
Coming to see a psychologist can be an anxious experience for many new clients , those anxious first moments are quickly eased when they encounter the dogs who have that uncanny knack of breaking the ice and easing those first nervous moments.
Research shows that a few minutes of stroking a pet dog decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, in both the human and the dog. It also increases prolactin and oxytocin, hormones that govern nurturing and security, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that boost mood. One study found that five minutes with a dog was as relaxing as a 20-minute break for hospital staffers. Curious? Continue reading
Source: Wall Street Journal
