People love their dogs. Over the centuries there has been a unique relationship between dogs and humans. Dogs have played an interesting role in the lives of people, as “man’s best friend”. Research suggests dogs are sensitive to our emotional states, as well as our social gestures, and they communicate with us in odd and surprising ways. Dogs can also form a very complex attachment with humans, almost like mirroring that of child-caregiver relationship.

In the United States alone, there are approximately 63 million households who have a pet dog, and most will say they consider the dog as part of their family. Dogs have also become an important part in assisting individuals with disabilities, such as people who are hearing impaired, have issues like diabetes or epilepsy and also assisting people who struggle with mental health disorders, such as PTSD.

Dogs have also been put into the work environment and take on roles for jobs that need detection, hunting, herding and protection. The canine has also become instrumental in supporting humans in other therapeutic ways, mentally and physically helping people of all ages. So, the next time you or someone you know is having challenges, this may be something to look into. A wide variety of evidence shows dogs may be the key to helping with these areas: cognition, learning disorders, neurotypical and neurodiverse populations, mental and physical health and disabilities.