Does growing up with Fidos make for healthier babies?
Maybe 害羞草研究所� at least according to a group of researchers from the University of B.C.
Postdoctoral fellow Nicole Sugden and Professor Janet Werker are looking for families with babies between the ages of two and six months to conduct a one-hour experiment.
Sugden said that although studies have shown that having a dog improves adults and children害羞草研究所檚 social skills and their health, no one has looked if the effect stretches to babies.
害羞草研究所淒oes having a family dog change infants害羞草研究所� brain response to language or boost their ability to understand an adult?害羞草研究所� Sugden asked.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e hoping to find out how having a dog influences infants害羞草研究所� early development.害羞草研究所�
Sugden believes there害羞草研究所檚 a few reasons why having a dog around might benefit a baby.
The type of 害羞草研究所渂aby talk害羞草研究所� often used with pets is, as the name suggest, similar to how people interact with young babies, Sugden said.
Researchers believe that babies seeing that will notice the similarities and be more primed for interaction.
害羞草研究所淪econdly, dogs can be very responsive social partners and babies are highly sensitive to interactive social partners,害羞草研究所� Sugden said.
害羞草研究所淎nd thirdly, we have co-evolved with dogs for over 10,000 years. This special evolutionary relationship with dogs suggests that we, they, or both of us may have evolved to benefit each other.害羞草研究所�
The study consists of a one-hour appointment at the UBC Infant Studies Centre.
Researchers will outfit the babies with a stretchy cap that used LED lights to measure brain activity. The device will use near-infrared spectroscopy see if babies with or without pet dogs show a more flexible brain response to human speech and dog barks.
The, Sugden said, researchers will point or look at toys and see if the babies follow along.
害羞草研究所淲e expect babies with dogs will show a more flexible brain response and more point and gaze following,害羞草研究所� she said.
Families with and without pet dogs are welcome and once the little ones complete the study, they receive their first piece of university memorabilia: an honorary UBC Bachelor害羞草研究所檚 in Infant Science and a little baby scientist t-shirt.
Those interested in taking part , call 604-822-6408 or email at infants@psych.ubc.ca.
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