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Dog-Companion View Links to Healthier Teen Stress Coping

8/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Aug. 17, Tufts researchers said teens viewing a dog as a companion manage stress healthier.
The study surveyed over 500 U.S. teens aged 13-17 with dog-related anxiety.
Lead researcher Nicole Mason reported caring for a dog prompted problem-solving and emotion-regulation.
Megan Mueller found teens who saw their dog friend showed avoidance, rumination and numbing.
Mueller added that friction-causing dogs linked to unhealthy coping, prompting study of dog personality effects.

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Story summary

Aug. 17, Tufts researchers said teens viewing a dog as a companion manage stress healthier.
The study surveyed over 500 U.S. teens aged 13-17 with dog-related anxiety.
Lead researcher Nicole Mason reported caring for a dog prompted problem-solving and emotion-regulation.
Megan Mueller found teens who saw their dog friend showed avoidance, rumination and numbing.
Mueller added that friction-causing dogs linked to unhealthy coping, prompting study of dog personality effects.