LENDING A

HELPING
PAW
By: Corynn Kusaka
Therapy dogs can improve
the lives of youth
physiologically,
psychologically, and
educationally
 v D o g s c a n h e l p t o

Points
improve the
physiological
wellbeing of
youth

v Y o u n g d o g o w n e r s c a n

to experience improvements
in their mental health

v D o g s c a n i m p a c t

Prove students
positively in their
educational skills
PHYSIOLOGICAL
WELLBEING
 Personal Hygiene
v Setting v Parents & v Positive
good teachers see actions, not
examples improvement chores
What can change this issue?
Exercise
“Dog ownership is a reliable indicator of
increased physical activity. Children
with dogs spend more time in vigorous
physical activity and take more steps
per day than those without pets”
-Kate Hodgson
 Dogs Dogs give
Exercise Improved
make desire &
more physical
exercising motivation
frequently health
enjoyable to exercise
 Exercise can help
youth prevent serious
medical issues
Obesity
v Diabetes
v Hypertension
v Forms of
cancer
v Cardiovascular
disease
Cardiovascular
Health v Exercise
can be
one of
the most effective
ways to maintain
cardiovascular health
“According to the American Heart Association, the presence of
a pet has a significant and positive effect on their owner’s
cardiovascular reactivity to stress. Pets provide non judgmental
social support that buffers pathogenic responses to stress. Simply
stroking a pet lowers blood pressure and serum triglyceride and
cholesterol concentrations."
- Kate Hodgson
Stress &
Blood
Pressure
 • More stress = higher blood pressure
• Higher blood pressure can lead to
further medical issues
v Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mmHg

v Experiencing possible organ damage

v Chest pain
v Shortness of breath
v Back pain
v Numbness/weakness
v Change in vision
v Difficulty speaking
Student Heart
Health
Hormonal Function
 Oxytoci
n
v Promote mammal maternal care v Slow heart rate

v Slow breathing

v Lower blood pressure v Inhibit stress hormone

Study by
Japanese
Researchers
oxytocin solution – more likely to insist
interaction compared to saline solution
Endorphins
Natural
painkillers

v Our bodies
are triggered
to release
endorphins to
make pain
more
manageable
v Human function

Dopamin Reward system

e v Causes
behavior that
is motivated
by a reward
Serotonin
MENTAL
HEALTH
“Mental Health includes our emotional,
psychological, and social well-being. It
affects how we think, feel, and act”

- MentalHealth.gov
“What is Mental Health?”
v Calmness v Intimacy
v Comfort v Trust
v Focus v Strengthens relationships

Oxytocin
 Endorphins
v Alleviate
anxiety
v Euphoria
v Reduce
mental
pain