Animal lovers have long suspected that a little canine quality time was good for the soul, and now science has confirmed it – for students in particular.

　　動物愛好者向來認為，養狗對人的精神有好處，現在科學證實了這一觀點，養狗對學生的精神提升作用尤其顯著。

　　The results of a new study done by researchers at the University of British Columbia concluded that the college students who spent time at drop-in dog therapy sessions experienced a boost in feelings of wellness and a reduction in overall stress. The study, as reported by Science Daily, indicates that playing with pups is not only popular with the students, its also beneficial to their health. This finding was seen across gender.

　　近日，英屬哥倫比亞大學研究員做了一項實驗，實驗表明大學生偶爾參與狗狗治療過程，能增強積極情緒，減少壓力。《科學日報》(Science Daily)報道，在這項實驗中，和狗狗一起玩耍不光很普遍，還對健康有所裨益，無論男女，效果都很好。

　　The study, which published on March 12 in the journal Stress and Health, involved 246 students who were surveyed before and after they dropped by therapy dog sessions. The young participants were given free access to pet, cuddle with and talk to seven to 12 therapy dogs. Additionally, they filled out questionnaires right before and right after hanging with the dogs, as well as 10 hours later.

　　這項實驗于3月12日發表在期刊《Stress and Health》上，共有246名學生參與，分別于參與狗狗治療前和參與后進行了調查。參與者可自行接觸7到12只狗狗，可以抱它們，也可以聊天。此前此后都進行了問卷填寫，10小時后又填了一次問卷。

　　According to researchers, these young adults reported a notable increase in happiness, a significant reduction in stress and a surge of energy right after their sessions with the pups. Although the reported feelings of happiness and satisfaction weren’t long-lasting, researchers say other effects have clear, positive advantages.

　　研究員說，這些大學生的幸福感明顯增強，壓力減輕，參與治療狗狗后活力也增強了。盡管這種幸福感和滿足感不夠持久，但是也已經大有裨益。

　　“These sessions clearly provide benefits for students in the short-term, so we think universities should try to schedule them during particularly stressful times, such as around exam periods,” Assistant Professor of Psychology at UBC and the study’s senior author, Frances Chen told Science Daily. “Even having therapy dogs around while students are working on their out-of-class assignments could be helpful.”

　　UBC的心理學助教兼實驗首席作者弗朗斯·陳告訴《科學日報》：“治療過程短期內對學生確實有效，大學可以在考試季學生焦慮的時候運用這些實驗。即使是在學生做課外作業時，讓治療期狗狗在他們身邊也不失為一件好事。”