Study: Therapy Dog Videos Reduce Stress in 5 Minutes

Virtual therapy dog videos ease stress almost like in-person visits

Spending time with dogs is known to bring comfort. But can simply watching dogs on video have a similar effect? A new scientific study says yes. Researchers found that a five-minute video of a therapy dog can reduce stress almost as effectively as a direct, in-person encounter.

Backed by research from UBC Okanagan and Brock University

This study was led by Dr. John-Tyler Binfet from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Dr. Christine Tardif-Williams from Brock University. It examined how virtual dog videos affect stress levels in both students and non-students.

More than 1,000 participants took part, and researchers observed consistent stress relief across all groups.

“Our findings demonstrate that even with a virtual session, there was a significant reduction in stress among both the student population and the general public, regardless of age,” said Dr. Binfet.

How therapy dog videos created calm

The virtual canine comfort modules were brief, calming, and thoughtfully designed. The videos featured therapy dogs and their handlers from the B.A.R.K. program, a recognized student well-being initiative.

Each video included:

• A welcome message

• A land acknowledgment

• Gentle narration

• Sensory prompts inviting viewers to imagine petting the dog and reflect on their emotions

This setup mimicked real therapy dog sessions without requiring any in-person attendance. It also allowed participants the flexibility to watch anytime, anywhere.

Measurable reductions in stress

The study consisted of two groups:

• Students (N = 963)

• Community members (N = 122)

Both groups reported lower stress levels after watching the video:

• Students: average stress levels dropped from 3.33 to 2.53 (on a five-point scale)

• Community members: reduced from 3.07 to 2.43

Interestingly, female students experienced more stress relief than male students. Before the session, women reported higher stress. After viewing, their levels dropped to match those of their male counterparts. Age was not a significant factor.

A post-pandemic context

While virtual therapy dog sessions have been studied before, this research took place after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. This makes the findings especially relevant to today’s normal conditions.

The results confirm that virtual therapy continues to provide benefits, even when in-person options are available.

Because the videos are simple and low-commitment, they make stress relief more accessible — without requiring a formal setting.

Who benefits most from virtual sessions?

This method is useful for:

• Students

• Busy adults

• Individuals who avoid therapy due to stigma

One participant explained:

“I have thought about attending an in-person session on campus before since I love dogs but the interacting with humans made me anxious.”

“No offense to anyone but this virtual dog session removes the unknown human interaction that may make people nervous.”

These videos can serve as an entry point to mental health care. Researchers believe this “foot in the door” approach may encourage people to seek additional support.

Short, effective, and accessible

The virtual therapy modules were only five minutes long, yet they produced noticeable improvements in stress levels.

Participants watched the videos on YouTube without needing to schedule a session. This made the content convenient and widely accessible.

Short sessions also helped protect therapy dogs from the stress of live, crowded events — benefiting both animals and people.

Inclusive and far-reaching

The videos were designed to be inclusive, involving participants of different ages, ethnicities, and life situations.

Virtual delivery allowed the sessions to reach:

• Rural residents

• People with social anxiety

• Individuals who prefer solitude

Researchers suggest that modules could be customized for marginalized or neurodiverse populations. They recommend more collaboration between mental health professionals and experts in human–animal interaction.

Limitations and future directions

The study did not include a control group watching non-dog content, so it couldn’t rule out the effect of other calming factors.

It also didn’t measure the long-term impact of the videos. Future research is needed to determine how long the stress reduction lasts.

Additionally, the sample was mostly female — a trend seen in past studies — raising questions about gender-related differences in response to virtual dog therapy.

One future avenue could be to combine these dog modules with mindfulness techniques for potentially greater benefit.

Conclusion: A simple video, a meaningful impact

These short virtual therapy dog sessions offer a quick and calming break with real, measurable effects. They help reduce stress and anxiety, especially among women and individuals who avoid traditional therapy.

Accessible to everyone, requiring no special tools, and protecting animal well-being, this approach is a powerful example of how small steps can make a big difference in mental health.

The study is published in the journal Human-Animal Interactions.