Animal-Assisted Therapy, Stress Regulation, and Mental Awareness

Mental awareness refers to a person's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and respond to stress. When these capacities weaken, daily functioning can become more difficult. They depend on the body’s stress response system, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and brain regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. When chronic stress disrupts these systems, individuals often experience reduced attentional control and emotional instability. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has gained attention as a possible approach to reducing stress. Research on human-animal interaction shows that spending time with animals can lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, both of which influence stress responses. Studies also suggest that individuals engaging in animal-assisted therapy often experience reduced physiological stress and improved emotional regulation. However, fewer studies have examined how these changes may directly translate into measurable differences in attention and perceived stress. This poster explores the relationship between animal-assisted therapy, stress regulation, and mental awareness. The project reviews research comparing interaction with a certified therapy dog to guided relaxation activities. In these studies, researchers typically assess stress through cortisol measurements, self-report measures, emotional regulation scales, and attention-based tasks. Existing research suggests a connection between stress regulation and cognitive functioning. Looking at both hormonal and behavioral outcomes helps clarify how stress regulation contributes to mental awareness within a physiological psychology framework. Understanding this relationship may also support the development of non-pharmacological stress interventions in educational and clinical settings.