Animal lovers have long suspected that a little canine¹ quality time was good for the soul, and now science has confirmed it – for students in particular.

动物爱好者向来认为，养狗对人的精神有好处，现在科学证实了这一观点，养狗对学生的精神提升作用尤其显著。

The results of a new study done by researchers at the University of British Columbia concluded that the college students who spent time at drop-in dog therapy sessions experienced a boost in feelings of wellness and a reduction in overall stress. The study, as reported by Science Daily, indicates that playing with pups is not only popular with the students, its also beneficial to their health. This finding was seen across gender².

近日，英属哥伦比亚大学研究员做了一项实验，实验表明大学生偶尔参与狗狗治疗过程，能增强积极情绪，减少压力。《科学日报》（Science Daily）报道，在这项实验中，和狗狗一起玩耍不光很普遍，还对健康有所裨益，无论男女，效果都很好。

The study, which published on March 12 in the journal Stress and Health, involved 246 students who were surveyed before and after they dropped by therapy dog sessions. The young participants were given free access to pet, cuddle with and talk to seven to 12 therapy dogs. Additionally, they filled out questionnaires right before and right after hanging with the dogs, as well as 10 hours later.

这项实验于3月12日发表在期刊《Stress and Health》上，共有246名学生参与，分别于参与狗狗治疗前和参与后进行了调查。参与者可自行接触7到12只狗狗，可以抱它们，也可以聊天。此前此后都进行了问卷填写，10小时后又填了一次问卷。

According to researchers, these young adults reported a notable increase in happiness, a significant reduction in stress and a surge of energy right after their sessions with the pups. Although the reported feelings of happiness and satisfaction weren’t long-lasting, researchers say other effects have clear, positive advantages.

研究员说，这些大学生的幸福感明显增强，压力减轻，参与治疗狗狗后活力也增强了。尽管这种幸福感和满足感不够持久，但是也已经大有裨益。

“These sessions clearly provide benefits for students in the short-term, so we think universities should try to schedule them during particularly stressful times, such as around exam periods,” Assistant Professor of Psychology³ at UBC and the study’s senior author, Frances Chen told Science Daily. “Even having therapy dogs around while students are working on their out-of-class assignments could be helpful.”

UBC的心理学助教兼实验首席作者弗朗斯·陈告诉《科学日报》：“治疗过程短期内对学生确实有效，大学可以在考试季学生焦虑的时候运用这些实验。即使是在学生做课外作业时，让治疗期狗狗在他们身边也不失为一件好事。”