The Healing Power Of The Dog’s Empathy

Science was finally able to prove what many of us have known for a long time: that dogs are capable of feeling empathy. Dogs connect with their humans almost immediately, recognizing their emotional state. But their capabilities go beyond this fascinating connection. They show a selfless desire to give comfort, alleviate fear and sadness.

We are sure that any dog ​​owner would agree with the conclusions of this study on the healing power of dogs conducted at the University of London (England, UK). We know that our four-legged friends recognize our joy and, above all, our suffering with their wet nose and their faithful look . They don’t think twice about licking our hand, throwing their favorite toys at our feet, or sitting on our laps and smiles.

“You think dogs don’t go to heaven? I tell you, they’ll be there sooner than any of us. “

Robert Louis Stevenson

The healing power of dogs

The dog’s empathy, that wonderful ability to sense our mood, has even more surprising nuances. An example of this can be seen in a very special case: Benjamin Stepp is a war veteran and lives with a beautiful Labrador named Arleigh. This young man suffered a traumatic brain injury which resulted in sudden attacks of pain that prevented him from standing.

Arleigh senses when these attacks are imminent.  She then immediately goes to her owner for support and love. It reduces his anxiety and helps him regulate his breathing so that the pain goes away as quickly as possible. The relationship between the two is so fascinating that ethologist Natalia Alburquerque studied this case. It is known that dogs can smell certain changes in our bodies. It is about physiological processes that lead, for example, to a lowering of the blood sugar level, or to epileptic seizures and in this case to pain attacks.

However, one of the most amazing aspects of these animals is their loyalty and selflessness. They don’t expect anything in return. Their protective instincts and their loyalty are great. So big that they are happy and satisfied when they can bring relief and well-being to others.

Emotional transmission in dogs, a primitive form of empathy

Ethologists and psychologists who specialize in wildlife highlight one very important aspect. Namely, that we cannot compare human empathy with that of dogs. They prefer to speak of an “emotional transference”, a very primitive form of empathy. According to psychologist Ted Ruffman, who works at the University of Otago, New Zealand, it can be compared to the empathy of a three-year-old child.

We must also not ignore the fact that empathy is a complex structure in which very demanding cognitive processes are at work. When we think of the dog’s empathy, what stands out is their ability to read our facial expressions and tone of voice. But also the way in which our emotional state rubs off on them. However, when these emotions are negative, dogs will consciously change their behavior and immediately begin offering help, support, and comfort.

This last point is undoubtedly a subject that continues to fascinate the experts. The reason dogs have such a close bond with us can be traced back a long way. In the time when humanity itself was still primitive. Edward Osborne Wilson is an American entomologist and biologist who obtained very interesting results in his studies.

Dogs and humans: a very old bond

Humans have had very close emotional ties with dogs since ancient times. So since that time , to survive as it was the highest priority. One of Osborne’s theories is that people would have had a higher chance of survival if they lived in social groups and with multiple dogs. It meant that they were able to find more resources, such as water, prey, edible plants, etc. Having one or more dogs in their settlements, but also meant that they were in closer contact with nature and its cycles had.

It is known that looking in a dog’s eyes stimulates the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that promotes affection, caring, and relationship.

Having these animals as companions gave security. The constant interaction that began in those early years strengthened the demanding relationship with one another. Dogs soon recognized our emotions. The relationship between humans and dogs is a relationship in which we learned to recognize our four-legged friends as full members of our social groups. The empathy of dogs is a reality that has always accompanied us on the way to this realization.

One look at a dog is enough to make us smile

Our dogs will never tell us to take things easier. They will not recommend us to change jobs or give the partner another chance. They don’t advise us to break a friendship that brings more problems than benefits. They will never suggest anything at all, or judge or criticize your decisions. The only job of our dogs is to be there for us and to do their best for us. They don’t expect anything from us in return.

As strange as it may seem, this is what they have always done. They have been doing it since living with our ancestors, the hunters and gatherers. These began to tame the most submissive wolf pups who searched for food in their settlements. They made it their own as they merged into an enduring and wonderful relationship with one another. Because of this, most of us can’t help but smile when we see a dog. This is one of the most wonderful signs of the dog’s empathy.

We recognize each other, interact with each other to produce positive emotional responses. In the past they were our allies and in the present they are our therapists. They bring us peace, make us smile, and lead to the release of endorphins and oxytocin. They also alleviate loneliness and even reduce the sensation of pain.

In summary, it can be said that anyone can only be wrong who doubts the emotional power of dogs and their empathic ability. We just have to think of those four-legged anonymous heroes to whom we owe so much. To the guard dogs and the dogs that help children with disabilities or dependent elders every day. But of course to all the other wonderful dogs that we love and who are part of our family.