ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996                  TAG: 9603080097
SECTION: NATL/INTL                PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: BUFFALO, N.Y. 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
note: below 

STRESSED OUT? DROP THE SPOUSE, KEEP THE PUP

When it comes to times of stress, researchers find, the most reassuring companion isn't your sweetheart - it's your schnauzer.

A new study found that people who were put into stressful situations showed the least amount of tension when accompanied by their dogs, the most when with their spouses.

``I think that dogs are nonevaluative, and they love us,'' explained Karen Allen, a research scientist at State University of New York at Buffalo's medical school.

``A pet dog was clearly more effective in controlling physiological reactions in stressful situations than other conventional approaches,'' she said Wednesday.

The study involved 240 couples. Researchers set up three stressful situations - giving a speech, performing math problems, and dipping a hand in cold water.

They had one spouse perform the tasks alone, with his or her spouse, with the dog, or with the dog and the spouse.

Blood pressure and heart rates showed that having only a spouse present reduced stress the least, while having a dog present brought down stress the most.

``I guess what this shows is that relationships and bonds extend beyond just humans,'' Allen said.

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