Pat your  dog  —  and feel better?
A 2009 study by Miho Nagasawa of Azabu University in Japan found that one’s level of oxytocin (the neurohormone that elicits feelings of happiness) raised intensely after interacting with their dogs. And the only interaction they needed was to stare into their dog’s eyes. Those who looked longer into their dog’s eyes had the bigger dose of oxytocin. Fun fact: A dog’s willingness to meet eyes with humans is one of the things that separates them from wolves.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/dog-health-benefits_n_4683351.html
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/the-health-benefits-of-pets.htm
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/10/10/8-ways-dogs-help-people.aspx
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Aptos Psychologist: Pat your dog. Train your  dog.  Exercise with your dog.  An excellent resource is the K9 Clinic in Watsonville, CA   http://www.k9clinic.com
