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Study identifier: NCT06248710 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 28, 2026
● Recruiting

Dog Presence and Oxytocin on Trust Towards Therapists

Condition: Depressive Symptoms · Human-Animal Interaction  ·  Sponsor: Dr. Karin Hediger

PhasePhase 2/Phase 3
Planned participants176
Who can joinAll sexes, 18 Years to no upper limit
Healthy volunteersYes

About this study

Oxytocin has been proposed as a neuroendocrine mechanism that may mediate the relationship between dog ownership and positive health outcomes and be linked to human-dog interactions and is thought to be a mechanism of interspecies bonding. While the role of oxytocin in human bonding behaviours and social behaviour, in general, is becoming well-established the role of oxytocin in human-animal interaction and Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) remains unclear. This research gap calls for more high-quality research investigating this possible neuroendocrine underlying mechanism to advance knowledge about AAI. If oxytocin indeed might be involved in interspecies bonding, intranasally administered oxytocin should not only enhance trust toward a human but also towards a dog.

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

Karin Hediger, Prof. Dr.  ·  +41 (0)61 207 65 80  ·  elena.pauli@unibas.ch

Elena Pauli, MSc  ·  +41 (0)61 207 69 58  ·  elena.pauli@unibas.ch

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (1)

University of BaselBasel, Canton of Basel-City, SwitzerlandRecruiting

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Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06248710