PULLMAN, Wash. – Our dogs have been helping us get through the coronavirus quarantine.
Dr. Phyllis Erdman of the Washington State University School of Education led a survey of over 4000 dog owners who spent a lot of time with their pets in April.
She says people responded that their furry friends helped them deal with feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness and helped them maintain a schedule.
Dr. Erdman told KGMI, “when we do return to normal and we do go back to work and are gone 8, 9, or 10 hours a day, people forget about the importance of that relationship and then the dog is left home again feeling sort of lonely or left out.”
She said it’s important to maintain those relationships, which is good for the owners and their dogs.