profoundly boost the mental health and social development of teenagers .
A landmark study led by researchers at Azabu University in Japan revealed an entirely new mechanism for how dogs help teens.
: Teens who own dogs have a distinctly different composition of oral and gut bacteria compared to those who do not. doggies teens
: Pups help quiet chaotic or intrusive adolescent thoughts.
: The study discovered that certain bacteria promoting empathy and prosociality were abundant in dog-owning teens. profoundly boost the mental health and social development
: Dog owners score much higher on metrics of companionship and long-term social support. ❤️ Why Teens Turn to Dogs
Outside of the microbiology, experts at institutions like the Tufts PAW Lab point to the foundational social support dogs provide. PAW Lab's Teen & Dog Study Recognized : Pups help quiet chaotic or intrusive adolescent thoughts
Recent scientific breakthroughs show that the benefits of having a dog go far beyond emotional support—it actually alters biology. Below is a breakdown of the latest findings regarding dogs and teenagers. 🔬 The Biological Breakthrough: The Microbiome