Dogs are often called “man’s best friend,” but new research suggests they may offer special anti-ageing benefits for women. A study shows that spending just one hour per week with a dog can slow a key marker of cellular ageing called telomere length.
According to the study authors, dogs may provide a low-cost, effective way to reduce the physical effects of stress and improve cellular health for women, though it is not yet clear whether the same benefits apply to men.
Dr Cheryl Krause-Parello, an associate professor of nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and study author, explained that interactions with animals can have positive biopsychosocial effects. “Nontraditional approaches like connecting with animals can offer meaningful support,” she said. “These relationships provide emotional safety and stability, which can be especially powerful for women.”
Study Design
The study involved 28 female veterans aged 32 to 72, all of whom had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Female veterans were chosen because they are underrepresented in research. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups for one-hour weekly sessions over eight weeks.
- Group 1: Trained service dogs to assist other veterans.
- Group 2 (control): Watched dog training videos.
Biological indicators of stress, such as heart rate variability, were measured using wearable monitors, and telomere length was assessed via saliva samples. Psychological measures, including PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety, were evaluated using questionnaires.
Key Findings
- Telomere length increased in the service dog training group, indicating slower cellular ageing.
- Control group participants showed a decrease in telomere length, suggesting accelerated ageing.
- Both groups reported reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and stress, suggesting that participation alone offered some therapeutic benefit.
Telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes, protect DNA from deterioration. The longer the telomeres, the more a cell can divide before ageing occurs, offering a potential longevity advantage.
The biological anti-ageing effects were most pronounced in veterans with combat experience, who have been exposed to traumatic events.
Implications
Published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, the study highlights the potential of service dog training as a complementary therapy for female veterans with PTSD. Spending just one hour per week with animals may benefit cellular health even without owning a dog.
Dr Krause-Parello noted, “Not all veterans can care for a service animal, so animal-related volunteerism may provide similar healing benefits without the burden of ownership.”
The study was described as groundbreaking, though researchers caution that the small sample size limits generalizability. Future studies may examine whether dogs have similar biological and psychological benefits for men or a broader population.
Previous research has also found that service dogs reduce PTSD severity, depression, and anxiety in veterans, improve mood, and enhance quality of life. This new study adds to growing evidence of the unique healing power of human-animal interactions.
