The Bond of Paws

The dog rested its head on her lap, tail sweeping lightly against the floor. Interacting with pets has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase feelings of social support (Beetz et al. 125).

She stroked its fur slowly, noticing how her own breathing began to steady. Research also suggests that spending time with companion animals can improve mood, decrease anxiety, and even enhance immune function (Friedmann and Son 141). In that quiet moment, comfort and love moved in both directions, simple and undeniable.

Works Cited (MLA)

Beetz, Andrea, et al. “Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The Possible Role of Oxytocin.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 3, 2012, pp. 234.
Friedmann, Erika, and Howard Son. “The Human-Companion Animal Bond: How Humans Benefit.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol. 35, no. 2, 2005, pp. 273–287.