The Effects of Small Dogs on Vital Signs in Elderly Women: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The emotional benefits of animals to humans are something that nearly every pet owner will attest to. But do the benefits extend beyond the emotional level to the extent that they affect physiological measures such as blood pressure or heart rate? The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of nonbonded (unknown to subject) dogs on vital signs [blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2)] in elderly women. This study was a pre-post test design. Methods: Fifteen females (83 + 3.5 years) who reportedly enjoyed dogs volunteered to participate in the study. The women were randomly broken into 3 groups of 5. Each participant had a resting BP, HR, and SpO2 recorded. Two dogs were then brought into the testing room where the subjects held and passed around the dogs. After 10 minutes, a second reading was taken. The dogs were then removed from the room and the subjects sat quietly for another 5 minutes. After this time, their BP, HR, and SpO2 were taken for a final time. Results: The blood pressure of 13 out of 14 subjects decreased after interacting with the dogs (1 subject's blood pressure was not able to be recorded). A statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure was observed, while a trend toward significance was found for diastolic blood pressure. Heart rate also showed a trend toward significant decrease following the interaction. No significant change in oxygen saturation was noted. Conclusion: This study suggests that dogs may have a beneficial effect on the BP and HR in elderly women.