Dogs are known to be man’s best friends. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives. Every year on March 23rd, Puppy Day celebrates the unconditional love and affection puppies bring to our lives. It is also observed to bring awareness to the need of care and homes to the less fortunate ones living on the streets. 

There are innumerable ways in which our furry friends make our lives better. We’ve listed a few of them to help you realise and appreciate your friendship with dogs even more.

1. Dogs help relieve stress

According to a study, playing or petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure and heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension almost immediately. That study is backed up by more recent ones that show a reduced level of stress hormones in blood chemistry, even in people who are candidates for blood pressure medication.

2. They help fight anxiety and depression

Did you know that looking into a dog’s eye can make you feel better instantly? According to research, simply gazing into a dog’s eyes causes a tremendous spike in oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is a hormone that has the power to regulate our emotional responses and pro-social behaviours, including trust, empathy, positive memories, processing of bonding cues, and positive communication. Interactions with dogs can help you to maintain a more positive, optimistic perspective of life. Better yet, they also reduce  symptoms of depression and anxiety.

3. Dogs make us better humans

It’s been proved that a dog’s face possesses an ‘infant schema’, meaning that its high forehead, big eyes, short snout and floppy ears might have evolved to appeal to human’s innate responses. These features are known as ‘social releasers’ and can elicit a human caregiver’s response. The desire to help and provide for someone makes us more compassionate and kind. 

4. Dogs help us enjoy life

We have a lot to learn from these  cute, excited creatures. From their loyalty and attentiveness to relishing the simple joys of life, they teach us how to live better and be better. 

Take a look at our post on instagram on things we can learn from dogs. 

“I want to work like a dog, doing what I was born to do with joy and purpose. I want to play like a dog, with total, jolly abandon.” – Oprah Winfrey