Do Dogs Reduce Stress? Insights from Psychological Research

In recent years, researchers have observed an increase in stress and the mental health crisis has grown in prevalence, particularly in undergraduate students. In response, universities around the world have turned to different approaches to mitigate stress, including canine assisted intervention (CAI). But what is the efficacy of CAI? Research demonstrates a decrease in stress as measured by self-report biomarkers like salivary cortisol. Multiple underlying processes and theories help explain these outcomes including: Social support, biophilia, and the attachment theory. This paper explores the efficacy of CAI in reducing stress in college populations and examines the potential underlying theories that may support the common trend.