Ask Dr. Universe: Do animals help our minds?

PULLMAN, Wash. – Our brains are pretty busy. They are constantly thinking, feeling and sensing our world. One thing that can help some people relax is spending time with an animal friend. You might play fetch with a dog, sit with a cat, brush a horse or even watch a goldfish zip around its bowl.

People who spend a lot of time with animals might tell you that something special seems to be going on here. But scientists are looking for evidence and want to find out for certain just what is going on. They want to know more about what happens when animals and humans spend time together.

One scientist who studies human and animal interaction is my friend Phyllis Erdman at Washington State University.

Read all of this answer from Dr. Universe at https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2017/03/20/interacting-animal-help-us/.

 

A service of Washington State University, Ask Dr. Universe answers some of the most interesting, tough and smart questions from curious kids all around the world.

 

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