• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered by Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Get Rover
    • Boarding
    • House Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • Drop-In Visits
    • Dog Training through Good Pup
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

Dogs Make Us Happier, and Now We Know Why

Share3.2kPin It117

Dogs Make Us Happier, and Now We Know Why

For Dog People
By Rover Staff

Share3.2kTweet0Pin It117

Happy National Dog Day! Any time is a great time to celebrate dogs, but today gives us an extra excuse to get profound about just HOW much we love them. Here at Rover, we’re passionate about making it possible for everyone to experience the joy of pet parenthood. After all, science tells us that dogs make us happier. Of course, we didn’t need proof, exactly. Still, it’s nice to see the evidence of what we’ve known all along: life is simply better with a dog. Here are 4 ways that dogs make you happier.

1. Dogs improve moods

Numerous studies have shown that having a pet can lessen the symptoms of depression and help pet parents maintain a positive, optimistic outlook.

As author and animal expert Karen Winegar noted in a 2009 interview with the New York Times, “The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can.”

2. Dogs make great therapists

Animal companionship can be an important, even life-saving component of self-care for people experiencing depression and other mood disorders. Dogs can also help improve quality of life for people with autism and assist children in learning to read.

https://flic.kr/p/fsn5qR

https://flic.kr/p/fsn5qR

In fact, there’s pretty much nothing a dog can’t do when it comes to helping others. Take, for instance, this dog that provides therapy for disabled people—by surfing with them. Yes. Surfing dog therapy. It’s a thing.

3. Dogs reduce stress

In addition to helping your overall mood, dog guardianship has a measurable impact on stress levels. Consider this 2012 story about office workers in North Carolina who showed significantly lowered stress levels when they were allowed to bring dogs to work. That’s certainly true at the Rover office, where we love taking breaks with our office dogs.

Also, in Rover’s recent survey of the nation’s pet parents, we discovered that 93% of dog owners de-stress by walking their dog. Dog owners also report making friends and meeting neighbors because of their dogs.

4. Dogs increase oxytocin

Spending time with an animal increases your level of the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” a neurotransmitter that increases trust and reduces fear. Oxytocin helps you and your dog bond with each other and relax, so petting your dog isn’t just pleasant, it’s physiologically beneficial to you both (source).  

And there you have it! As if you needed a reason to get another dog (or your first dog) …

dogquotes5


 Find dog boarding services near you:

Austin, TX New York, NY Seattle, WA
Chicago, IL Portland, OR Washington, D.C.
Denver, CO San Diego, CA Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Las Vegas, NV

Don’t see your city on the list, visit us here to find a sitter in your neighborhood!

Share3.2kTweet0Pin It117

sidebar

Avatar photo
By Rover Staff

Share This Article

Share3.2kTweet0Pin It117

Popular Posts

  • 5 Frighteningly Common Reasons Dogs Run Away
  • 5 Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws — And How to Help
  • Meet Tater Tot, the Internet’s Favorite Foster Kitty
  • The ‘Catluminati’ Magically Makes Friends With Every Cat He Meets
  • The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs (Plus Recipes)
  • Peggy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Molly the Magpie Make the Cutest, Unlikely BFFs
  • Do Cats Know Their Names—Or Are They Ignoring You On Purpose?
  • Kids and Pets: What You Need to Know For Safe Interactions
  • Rover’s Holiday Food Safety Guide for Pets
  • Mary the Tabby Cat Can’t Stop Bringing Huge Piles of Leaves Home to Her Family
Advertisement
Advertisement

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy
Advertisement
Your privacy choices
© 2023 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.