Puppy Therapy
One of the most celebrated benefits of puppy therapy is its remarkable ability to ease stress. Spending even a few minutes petting or playing with a puppy can lower cortisol levels—the hormone responsible for stress—while boosting feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. This almost instant lift in mood makes puppies excellent companions when life feels overwhelming. It’s like having a pocket-sized therapist who never judges and always listens, no matter what kind of day you’re having. If you haven’t experienced this firsthand, just give it a try sometime—you might be surprised at how your body relaxes almost immediately.
Cortisol Reduction: Interacting with puppies triggers biological changes that reduce cortisol, helping your body feel calmer and less tense during stressful situations. This effect can last for hours after just a brief play session. Lower cortisol helps protect your heart and supports overall emotional balance, making these moments feel especially restorative.
Serotonin Increase: Puppy cuddles and playful antics boost serotonin—a neurotransmitter that enhances mood and promotes feelings of happiness, which plays a vital part in fighting anxiety or sad moods. Regular sessions can keep serotonin levels healthier long term.
Oxytocin Release: Known as the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin surges during positive puppy interactions, improving feelings of trust and attachment that provide emotional comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Distraction from Worries: Puppies naturally capture your attention, pulling it away from troublesome thoughts or anxieties and offering an immersive, joyful distraction. This mental shift allows for emotional recovery and momentary peace.
Enhanced Relaxation Response: The calming effect of puppies helps your parasympathetic nervous system engage, promoting relaxation and restorative rest, which counteracts the physical toll of chronic stress.
Where can you spend time with these tiny stress busters? With us! We designed snuggle sessions with your stress levels in mind. None of the work out of Puppy Yoga or Puppy Pilates but all of the puppies. Hang out in the Pudgy Suite with them on comfy couches sipping herbal tea stroking tummies and getting kisses from the Pudgy’s
