Pets as Therapy

Research suggests that hormonal changes naturally occur when humans and dogs interact and that these could help people cope with depression and certain stress-related disorders.

Preliminary results show that a few minutes of stroking a dog prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. Simultaneously, levels of the primary stress hormone cortisol, the adrenal chemical responsible for regulating appetite and cravings for carbohydrates, are decreased.