For the dog obsessed: more amazing news about the benefits of growing up with a dog.

In a study released in 2019, researchers found that there was a connection between having a dog as a child, before the age of thirteen, and a reduced risk of a schizophrenia diagnosis. In sum, "Scientists found that exposure to a dog at any time in childhood was associated with a 24 percent reduced risk for schizophrenia. Those exposed to dogs at birth were 55 percent less likely to have schizophrenia than people who had not been exposed at all." (Nicholas Bakalar NYT)

As is often the case, the researchers are trying to understand why this is so. For example, the study might have missed economic or socio-demographic differences.

One compelling theory suggests that the microbiome (microbes in the gut) of dogs could be a key player in the 'brain-immune gut axis',”potentially modulating some of the causes of schizophrenia. This notion opens up a world of possibilities for the role of dogs in mental health.

Stepping out of "Academic-speak," this is mind-blowing to me. Twenty thousand years or so of being with dogs benefit us in ways we can't even imagine. So next time your dog slobbers on your kid, instead of thinking, "Gross," and yanking the dog away, think, "Huh," and realize that there might be a vital microbe exchange going on. (Okay, sometimes the slobbering gets out of hand!)

Final note — sorry, cat lovers — there is no correlation between having a cat as a child and the same results. But I'm sure you love your cats regardless.

For more about dogs (if you are obsessed) check out “Dog Lessons: Learning the Important stuff from our Best Friends” at Barnes and Noble, Collected Works in Santa Fe and online!