UNCOVERING THE NEURAL BASIS OF HUMAN–DOG INTERACTION: INSIGHTS FROM OSCILLATORY ACTIVITY

Background: Human–dog interactions (HDIs) are often linked to emotional and physiological benefits, yet the neural mechanisms supporting these effects remain unclear. This study examined cortical oscillatory activity during HDI compared with two control conditions: interacting with a plant and with a realistic dog replica.
Methods: Using a within-subject, cross-over randomized design, 29 healthy adults completed three EEG sessions, each including all conditions. Power spectral density was computed for theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz; includinh slow/fast sub-bands), and beta (13–30 Hz; including low/mid sub-bands) bands across ten electrodes covering prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, and occipital regions.
Results: HDI elicited distinct oscillatory patterns. Compared with both control conditions, interacting with the dog was associated with reduced alpha power—most prominently in parietal and occipital areas—consistent with increased attentional engagement. Beta power increased in frontal and central regions during HDI, suggesting enhanced cognitive processing and sensorimotor readiness. Theta activity also differed by region, with lower occipital theta during HDI relative to controls, indicative of externally oriented attention. Notably, the dog replica occasionally produced elevated beta and theta power, potentially reflecting evaluative or compensatory processing of an ambiguous, non-living stimulus.
Conclusion: These findings provide novel electrophysiological evidence that real dog interaction evokes a unique neural response not observed with non-sentient living or non-living controls. The results underscore the social and emotional salience of animals and offer new insights into the neurocognitive mechanisms that may support the benefits of human–animal interaction, including applications in animal-assisted interventions.