Virtual Dog Videos Reduce Stress as Really as Real Pets

A study from the University of British Columbia University of Okanagan shows that watching a five-minute video of a therapy dog ​​can significantly reduce stress levels for both student and community members.

A study of over 1,000 participants found that virtual dog therapy sessions provide stress relief comparable to face-to-face animal interactions and open doors for accessible mental health support around the world.

Findings published in Human-Animal Interactions show that virtual dog therapy can provide meaningful psychological benefits without physical contact. This finding helps address the growing mental health needs while overcoming barriers such as geographical isolation, allergies, or fear of seeking for formal treatment.

5 minutes, measurable results

The survey included 963 students and 122 community members watching a pre-recorded video featuring a therapy dog ​​and its handlers. Using standardized stress measurements before and after viewing, the researchers found a significant reduction in self-reported stress levels across all participants.

“Our findings show that even virtual sessions have significantly reduced stress among both the student population and the general public, regardless of age,” explains Dr. John Tillerbinfett, director of architectural academic maintenance at UBC Okanagan through the K9S (bark) program.

The virtual session mimicked a dog’s visit in face-to-face therapy, featuring animal reflexes, calm narration, and close-up views of dog-keeping handlers explaining animal responses and textures.

Gender differences appear

Among students, this study revealed significant gender disparities in treatment response. Women experienced greater stress reduction compared to men, but both groups showed significant improvement. Interestingly, women began with higher stress levels than men, but both genders achieved similar stress levels after watching therapy dog ​​videos.

Key findings from the research include:

• Student stress levels dropped from an average of 3.33 to 2.53 on the 5-point scale
• Community members have reduced stress from 3.07 to 2.43
• Women showed greater stress reductions among student participants than men
• Age had no significant effect on the magnitude of stress reduction

Address barriers to mental health access

This study addresses a key gap in mental health support accessibility. Traditional therapy dog ​​programs are often limited to urban centres, require appointments, and create barriers for many people seeking stress relief.

“This suggests that the Virtual Dog Comfort Module is an effective, low-cost, accessible resource for those seeking mental health support,” Dr. Binfet said. Virtual formats eliminate geographical constraints, time constraints, and the need for human interaction.

Participants in one study highlighted this benefit and shared: “I love dogs so I previously thought about attending in-person sessions on campus, but interactions with humans made me feel uneasy.

Beyond Campus Applications

Although previous research focused primarily on university students, this study expands the benefits of virtual therapy to a broader community population. The findings suggest special commitments to reach underserved groups, including people with disabilities, social anxiety, animal allergies, or people who are in remote areas.

The sessions didn’t require reservations, were expensive to access, and were able to watch repeatedly if necessary. This “low-intensity treatment” model provides interim support and people are waiting for formal mental health services, which often have a long waiting list.

Scientific rigor and future direction

The researchers used four therapy dog ​​handler pairs to create a standardized 5-minute video according to the same script. This ensured consistency throughout the session and maintained a personal element that made therapy interaction effective.

However, this study did not have a control group watching a dog-free video, making it impossible to determine whether to judge the treated animals themselves or simply take a relaxed break. Future research will compare dog videos with handler-only content and other relaxation activities.

Researchers will also investigate the long-term impact. This is because this study measured only changes in stress after viewing. Additionally, it aims to develop specialized content for specific groups, including the BIPOC community, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and people with a variety of mental health conditions.

Impact on mental health care

The findings reach a critical time when mental health challenges are rising globally, but access to support is limited. Virtual therapy dog ​​sessions can serve as an attractive entry point for those reluctant to seek formal mental health care and may encourage the pursuit of additional care.

This study examines what many dog ​​lovers know intuitively. Dog dating is that even virtually can provide true comfort during stressful times. Virtual therapy animals offer a promising complement to traditional treatments as mental health systems around the world are looking for innovative and scalable solutions.

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