Friend, a word, thrown so casually in our daily conversations that it has lost the very essence of its meaning.
And what about love?
Special educator Anuradha Kurup knows this and reserves these words with Genuity, sparingly for humans.
From being scared of animals — to rescuing abandoned pets and injured street animals, hers has been a journey of tail wags, woof, meows and more. She realised that by mastering nonverbal communication, dogs can sense their owner’s mood simply by observing their behavior, forming a deep emotional connection that transcends words.
Here’s her journey in her own words…
Dogs made my life stress free!
Living with dogs has an extraordinary way of easing life’s stresses. Their ability to sense human emotions goes beyond simple companionship; dogs are deeply intuitive, often responding to our moods in ways that feel almost magical. Research reveals that dogs can detect changes in our body chemistry related to stress through their keen sense of smell. This remarkable trait doesn’t just deepen the bond we share with them but also paves the way for training service dogs and therapy animals, enhancing the lives of those facing emotional challenges. These loyal companions not only provide comfort but also bring a sense of calm, making life feel more manageable even on the toughest days.
My companionship with dogs began with little Grumble, a three-week-old pup adopted by my son from a shelter. Unfortunately, the time we had with him was way too brief as the poor pup pushed for the rainbow bridge.
Grieved by this tragic loss — we came across the adoption update of three-month-old Husky-Spaniel mix pups. It gave our melancholic hearts a new found hope.
Blizzard named so as he’s a whirlwind of activity ripping through the home. While Phoenix has a literal meaning behind his name – arising from the dead like Undertaker.
Little did we know that our home and lives would never be the same again.
See also: Beautiful Untranslatable Words That Your Dog Knows!
Daily walks, playtime and of course laughter and fun became an integral part of our everyday life. Stress wagged away by a couple of tails and a woof and then some.
In clockwork, the world of community animal care opened up to us. And also the terror of animal abuse. Abandoned pets, accident victims left to die by the roadside… At first, it was all too horrible to even read about, let alone handle.
Can Dogs Smell Stress?
In addition to their observational talents, dogs are equipped with an extraordinary sense of smell. Their noses are finely tuned to detect chemical signals—known as chemosignals—that our bodies emit. While wild dogs historically used this ability to track prey and sense danger, domesticated dogs have adapted these skills to recognize changes in human scent.
Scientific research has demonstrated that a person’s scent varies between moments of calm and stress. Dogs can detect these differences in odors found in breath and sweat, which allows them to distinguish between emotional states. Some service dogs are even trained to identify health issues such as impending seizures, though the exact mechanism—whether related to pheromones, electrical signals, or another factor—remains uncertain. A 2022 study further revealed that dogs can identify chemosignals linked to happiness, fear, and neutrality, showcasing their sophisticated olfactory capabilities.
Even if you seem outwardly composed, your dog might sense hidden emotional stress through these subtle chemosignals, reinforcing their role as sensitive and perceptive companions.
But then the question loomed large over us – If not Us, then Who? If not Now, then When?
How Do Dogs React to Depression and Anxiety?
Research indicates that dogs can not only experience a range of emotions but may also empathize with their humans. When a dog perceives their owner feeling down, they often respond with comforting behaviors such as cuddling or staying close.
Dogs are also susceptible to emotional contagion, mirroring the feelings of those around them. For example, if an owner is anxious, the dog may reflect this through signs of restlessness or whining. In many ways, dogs act as emotional barometers, mirroring and sometimes amplifying the emotional climate of their environment.
This dynamic can be particularly noticeable during activities like walking. If an owner feels nervous around other dogs or people, their anxiety can influence their pet, leading to heightened stress or protective behaviors in the dog. This deep connection between humans and their canine companions highlights how intertwined their emotional states can be, offering both comfort and a reflection of the bond they share.
See also: Thinking to adopt a dog?
What dogs taught me?
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they have invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, and play daily.
Be Loyal.
Never pretend to be something you are not.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
No matter how often you get scold, run right back and make friends.
Bond with your pack.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Long after you are gone,
remain a memory, in your loved ones’ dreams.
Dogs understand you like no one else. When you’re stressed, upset, angry, or just peeved over your favourite team losing the match, your dog knows it.
Dogs can tell when we’re ignoring them; a recent study out of the UK confirmed that our pups get depressed when their people spend too much time on their phones. Your dogs are also masters of reading body language.
How Trained Dogs Are Revolutionizing Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease
Recent research from the United Kingdom has revealed that trained dogs can sniff out Parkinson’s disease even before visible symptoms appear, offering hope for much earlier and non-invasive diagnosis. In a groundbreaking double-blind trial, specially trained canines like Golden Retrievers and Labradors accurately identified skin swabs from individuals with Parkinson’s based solely on scent, thanks to a unique olfactory signature produced by the disease. These remarkable results—where sensitivity levels reached as high as 80%—demonstrate that a dog’s powerful sense of smell can detect subtle changes in a person’s body odor long before clinical signs develop. Scientists hope that these findings pave the way for faster, cost-effective screening and could aid in developing reliable early diagnostic tests, potentially transforming how Parkinson’s disease is detected and managed.
Complement this loving account with poetess Mary Oliver’s dog poems and Simran’s endearing tale of finding a stray home. And if you need some inspiration to adopt, please see Rupee’s story!
Have a furry story to tell? Reach us via the comments.