Residents prefer dogs to people

A study into loneliness among nursing home residents has proven that dogs really are a man’s best friend.

Researchers at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in the US examined the behaviour of 37 nursing home residents who said spending time with dogs may ease their loneliness.

Half of the residents spent 30 minutes a week alone with a dog, while the other half spent the time with both a dog and other residents. The former experienced a greater decrease in feelings of loneliness than the latter after six weeks. Author of the study, Professor William Banks, said: “The residents found a little quiet time with the pooch is a lot nicer than spending time with a dog and other people.”