Much has already been written about how dogs can cheer humans up, but most of the research on this subject has been carried out with women. A recent Canadian study proves that canines are valuable allies for everyone, regardless of gender.

Researchers affiliated with the University of British Columbia Okanagan wanted to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of human interaction with dogs by conducting an experiment with 163 students: 49% female, 33% male, and 17% non-binary or with another gender identity.

All participants took part in 20-minute canine-intervention therapy sessions in groups of three or four, before completing a questionnaire assessing their general wellbeing.

The researchers found that these therapy sessions with a dog had a significant impact on participants’ mental and emotional states. The sessions helped alleviate the stress, loneliness, and sense of uprootedness that some students feel when attending university far from their hometown.

And this was the case regardless of the participant’s gender identity.

For professor John-Tyler Binfet, co-author of the study published in the journal Cabi Human-Animal Interactions, these results show that dog-therapy programmes are suitable for a wide range of individuals.

“Previous research has explored if it works and how it works, but not who it works for,” he said. “This was one of the first studies that examined whether canine-assisted interventions work equally well for varied genders.

“In light of previous studies that note participants were predominantly women, our sampling of men, gender-fluid and two-spirit participants furthers our understanding that the efficacy of these interventions does not appear to be gender dependent.”

Despite its methodological limitations, this research suggests that “man’s best friend” has the potential of making an excellent therapist – and not just for men. So it should come as no surprise that dogs are increasingly making their appearance in medical facilities such as the Institut Curie in Paris.

For several months now, the facility has been working with Snoopy, a two-year-old English Setter, so cancer patients and nursing staff can gain from his soothing presence. Everyone can touch him – taking care, of course, to wash their hands thoroughly after the cuddles – and thus benefit from the many virtues of this four-legged therapist!

Notably, other research has conclusively shown that owning dogs can be good for mental health, in part thanks to the companionship they provide. So why not adopt a four-legged friend such as Nala?