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babylonsister

(171,054 posts) Sat Mar 12, 2022, 08:07 PM Mar 2022

The power of the dog and how pets are helping Ukrainians cope with war

The power of the dog and how pets are helping Ukrainians cope with war

March 12, 20227:00 AM ET
Fernando Alfonso III

Stuffed in the back of the Nissan as he fled his hometown of Kharkiv, Ukraine, were two of Jake's most prized possessions: his Nintendo Switch and Puzo, his pet pug.

Jake, 31, is among scores of displaced Ukrainians who have refused to leave their animals behind due to the immense comfort and familiarity they've provided during a time of unprecedented turmoil caused by Russia.

"Every day, after the bombings would stop, I would get up and go to the room where [Puzo] was hiding and rub him. It was soothing," Jake, who asked for his last name to be withheld out of fear for his family, told NPR over Google Meet. "He would be snoring all the time and it would remind me of the peaceful times."

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The positive impact pets can have on people going through tumult cannot be overstated, said Lauren Powell, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine.

Pets can provide companionship, help reduce feelings of loneliness, and boost feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin, Powell told NPR over email. Pets can also help decrease our biological response to stress by lowering our stress hormones, relaxing our heart rate and blood pressure, she said.

"Previous traumatic events have shown us that pets can be vitally important for their owners during stressful times," Powell said. "They have a unique ability to provide unconditional support and companionship as they are not judgmental in nature."

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https://www.npr.org/2022/03/12/1085971965/power-of-the-dog-ukraine-war-pets-russia