Pet dogs supporting caregivers of children with special needs

Caregivers of intellectually disabled children often experience high levels of anxiety and this study examines the potential emotional benefits of pet dog ownership in reducing anxiety among these caregivers. Therefore, it is of interest to examine the impact of pet dog ownership on the emotional well-being of caregivers of intellectually disabled children. Conducted in Amritsar, India, with 112 participants, it divided caregivers into two groups: those who owned a dog and those who did not. Anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale before and after 3-6 months of pet ownership. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety among dog-owning caregivers compared to non-dog owners. Thus, we show the significant reduction in anxiety levels among caregivers who own dogs, offering new insights into how pet ownership can positively affect caregivers' emotional well-being.