Dogs do more than lift your mood—they biologically balance your stress response, a new University of Denver study reveals. Conducted by researchers Kevin Morris and Jaci Gandenberger, the study shows pet dogs help regulate both major stress pathways in humans, offering a powerful tool to combat the health risks of chronic stress, like heart disease and dementia.

In a lab stress test involving 40 dog owners, participants with their dogs showed lower cortisol spikes (HPA axis) and healthy alpha-amylase surges (SAM axis) during a nerve-wracking public speaking and math task, compared to those without dogs, who exhibited a flat, potentially harmful stress response. This balanced reaction suggests dogs keep owners alert yet calm, preventing the dysregulation linked to PTSD or chronic stress.

With 34% of Americans reporting overwhelming stress in a 2022 survey, dogs could be a game-changer. The findings also fuel new research into how psychiatric service dogs aid veterans with PTSD, proving our canine companions are vital for health.

Also Read: Your Guide to Vitamins A-K: Sources and Benefits

Also Read: India’s Cruise Boom: 51 New Circuits to Transform Tourism by 2027