Empathy In Dogs: A Healing Power

Science has been able to demonstrate a fact that many of us know: the existence of empathy in dogs. The latter enter into connection with the emotional state of humans almost immediately. On the other hand, their ability goes far beyond this fascinating connection, as they also show a genuine altruistic desire to offer solace, and alleviate emotional distress and sadness.

We are aware that anyone who owns one or more dogs will confirm the conclusions drawn from the study carried out at the University of London on this subject. We know that these four-legged friends, with wet noses and faithful eyes, instantly coincide with our joy and above all, with our sufferings. From there, they never hesitate to lick our hands, leave their favorite toy at our feet or sit on our knees like honeyed children trying to get a smile from us.

Empathy in dogs, this skilful reading of our moral state, actually has quite surprising nuances that have been explained to us in this same work. An example of this can be demonstrated by a very concrete case. Benjamin Stepp is an Iraq War veteran who lives with a Labrador, a gorgeous dog named Arleigh. This young man is the victim of a traumatic brain injury which causes him to suffer sudden and painful attacks every day which immobilize his legs.

Arleigh senses the coming of these attacks and immediately goes to his master’s side for a very concrete purpose: to support him, his tenderness, reduce his anxiety and control his breathing so that the pain subsides as quickly as possible. This relationship between the two beings is so fascinating that an ethologist, Natalia Alburquerque, is currently studying the case. We know that dogs “feel” certain metabolic changes in our body which, for example, result in a drop in sugar, epileptic attacks, or in this specific case, the onset of pain …

However, one of the fascinating aspects is the loyalty and selflessness of these animals. They don’t want any change, their instinct for protection and affiliation is so high that the simple act of bringing relief and well-being makes them happy, satisfies them …

Emotional contagion in dogs, a primitive form of empathy

Ethologists and psychologists specializing in the animal world underline an important aspect. We cannot compare human empathy to dog empathy. In the latter, we talk more about ”  emotional contagion  “, a very primitive form of empathy that according to Ted Ruffman, psychologist at the University of Otago, could be compared to that which can have, for example, a child of 3 years.

Keep in mind that empathy is a complex psychological dimension where very sophisticated cognitive processes are put into operation. What appeals to dogs’ empathy is their ease in reading our facial expressions and the tone of our voice; but also their natural attitude to be “contaminated” emotionally by our own states. However, in the event that our emotion is negative, they set up voluntary behaviors to bring us help, support and well-being.

This last point is undoubtedly a theme that has always fascinated experts. We can find the reason why dogs show such a strong bond with us by going back to our ancestors’ side, in our primitive past. Edward Osborne Wilson is an entomologist and biologist from the United States who presents us with very interesting aspects in her numerous works.

Dogs and humans: a very old link

Humans have made a very intense emotional connection with dogs in ancient times, those times when our main priority was to survive. One of Dr. Edward Osborne’s theories is that humans belonging to social groups that relied on the company of many dogs were more likely to survive than those who did not.

• Having one or more dogs within our first social groups meant being more united with nature, with its cycles, and also finding more resources with which to survive: water, hunting, edible plants … Indeed, we today have many cave paintings where this type of interaction is identifiable.

• Very early on, the company of these animals gave us a very important type of vital satisfaction, by creating a link in which multiple biological mechanisms were involved.

This constant interaction initiated from these distant times has enabled a sophisticated relationship to be established. On the one hand, dogs were quick to recognize our emotions and on the other hand, we learned to see them as an additional member within our social groups. Empathy in dogs is therefore a reality that has always been with us.

Just look at a dog to instantly smile

Our dogs will never tell us to take things less seriously. They will not recommend us either to change jobs, to give our couple another chance, to permanently cut ties with this friend who brings us more problems than benefits. They will never recommend anything to you, nor judge you, and will not criticize your decisions in any way. Your dogs will just limit themselves to “being” there with you, bringing you their best for nothing. Which is one of the telltale behaviors of dog empathy.

Although it seems curious to us, they always have done it: cohabiting with us since the time of our ancestors, European hunter-collectors began to domesticate the most docile little wolves that roamed their facilities in search of food. We made them ours and they made us theirs by forging a lasting and wonderful alliance. This is why most of us cannot avoid smiling when our gaze meets that of a dog.

To conclude, no one can question the emotional power of dogs, and their compassionate ability is undoubtedly a forgivable mistake. Because we must be grateful for the anonymous four-legged heroes we have: guide dogs, dogs who daily help disabled children or dependent elderly people. In short, to all those great friends that we adore and whose place in the family cannot be questioned.