The extraordinary connection between people and dogs is deeply treasured. Known for their loyalty, obedience, and affection, dogs are often called “man’s best friend.” But is canine love a reflection of our own feelings, or do dogs genuinely experience love for us in a way that mirrors human emotion? Neuroscientist Gregory Berns at Emory University, previously focused on human brain function using MRI technology, found himself pondering a more personal question: What is my dog thinking?
After welcoming Callie, a timid terrier mix, into his family, Berns sought a definitive answer to this question. He believed the key lay in using MRI scans to study a dog’s brain activity. Initially, his colleagues were skeptical. The common belief was that MRI scans on dogs required restraint or sedation. However, recalling the military’s success in training dogs for complex and stressful situations, Berns was convinced there must be a method to train dogs to willingly participate in MRI scanning.
Driven by this conviction, Berns and Callie embarked on a groundbreaking journey, becoming pioneers in exploring the inner workings of the canine brain. Through meticulous training and patience, they overcame numerous technical, legal, and behavioral challenges. Berns’s research yielded surprising insights into canine empathy, revealing not only how dogs love us, but also deepening our understanding of the profound friendship shared between humans and dogs across species.
The findings from “How Dogs Love Us” provide compelling new evidence that answers a question pondered by dog lovers for generations. Berns’s work suggests that dogs deserve to be treated with the same consideration we extend to our closest human companions – with love, respect, and a recognition of their complex social and emotional intelligence.
