Dogs contribute to longevity and reduced stress levels, specialists from the U.S. established during an experiment involving retired female military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The first group trained service dogs with the support of an instructor, while the second — the control group — watched training videos without interacting with the animals.
The study involved 28 women aged 32 to 72 with a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD. The sessions lasted one hour once a week for two months. The control group followed the same schedule, watching video lessons.
The progress of the program was monitored through surveys before, during, and after the completion of the experiment. The results showed that women working with dogs had significantly longer telomeres — segments of DNA responsible for cellular aging. The most pronounced changes were observed in participants with combat experience. In the control group, on the contrary, telomeres shortened, especially among those who had participated in combat.
Additionally, all women experienced reduced PTSD symptoms, anxiety levels, and stress. The positive dynamics were evident regardless of combat experience, indicating that any structured activity, especially one involving interaction with animals, aids in rehabilitation for PTSD.
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