Brief interactions with dogs boost health and well-being: expert

Interacting with dogs, whether your own or someone else's, has proven healthy for both mental and physical well-being.

According to Nancy Gee, a psychology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, spending just five to 20 minutes with a dog can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and increase oxytocin, the bonding hormone.

This positive effect on health is especially evident in people who connect well with dogs.
Studies have shown that even brief playtime with therapy dogs in classrooms can lower stress levels and improve focus in children. Moreover, the relationship between humans and dogs is mutual, as dogs' oxytocin levels also increase during interactions.
Dogs' ability to live in the present moment and their unassuming nature make them excellent companions that help humans engage with their surroundings and disconnect from distractions like phones.

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