Skip to content
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Happy News

Playing With Dogs Helps Reduce Stress for Both Humans and Canines

A new study has found that just 15 minutes of playtime with a dog can significantly lower stress levels in humans. College students who interacted with friendly dogs reported feeling calmer, had reduced heart rates, and showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Researchers also discovered that the dogs benefitted from the experience, with tests showing reduced stress levels in the animals a week after their interactions.

The study, conducted at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, involved 122 students and six dogs, including chihuahuas and a Shetland sheepdog. Students could pet, play with, or simply observe the dogs, and afterward, their stress markers showed clear improvement. While the dogs’ immediate cortisol levels remained the same, their long-term stress markers indicated a positive impact. The findings suggest that even non-certified therapy dogs can provide valuable mental health benefits, making canine companionship a simple yet effective way to relieve stress for both humans and their furry friends.

PrevPreviousYoung Chef Gives Back After Life-Saving Procedure
NextMediterranean Monk Seals Make a Remarkable ComebackNext

Recent Articles

Happy News

This New Underwater Fossil Discovery is 512 Million Year Old

February 6, 2026

Paleontologists have unearthed a treasure trove of fossils from 512 million years ago including 90 species previously unknown to science. The discovery comprises 153 different species from 16 major animal groups including sponges, arthropods and bizarre segmented apex predators known as radiodonts that make up a complex food web, dating

Read More
Happy News

What Makes Some Dogs GENIUS Word Learners

February 6, 2026

Scientists have discovered that some exceptionally skilled dogs called gifted word learners can quickly remember the names of toys, and new research reveals the key factor behind their unusual ability isn’t about curiosity but about their relationship with humans. Animal behaviorist Andrea Sommese of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Read More
Happy News

How Our Voices Affect Dog Behavior

February 6, 2026

Hearing a human voice can affect a dog more than previously thought as new research suggests that angry or happy voices are linked to measurable changes in dogs’ balance, with angry voices often causing destabilizing effects that physically sway their bodies. Scientists led by Nadja Affenzeller at the University of

Read More
« Previous Next »
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 HappyNews.