Being a dog owner may have lessened the psychological impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new study has revealed.
Researchers in St Louis, Missouri found in a new study that those who own dogs have been significantly less depressed throughout the pandemic than those who would like to own one, but do not.
The study, published in the Plos One journal on 15 December, 2021 surveyed 1,535 adults across the US on their levels of depression, anxiety and happiness.
Those who owned dogs said they felt like they had more “social support” available to them (70 per cent), compared to those who didn’t (65 per cent).
“This degree of social support is likely to have provided a buffering effect against the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the study said.
However, the study did not find any difference in scores of happiness and anxiety between the two groups.
Dogs “are considered to be dependent and caring towards their owners with unconditional love”, the study said.
