Owning a dog is a lot of fun, but that isn’t the only reason to share your home with a canine companion. It turns out, they can help us stress less too.

By petting your dog, you can actually reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. It also increases the hormone oxytocin, which has been shown to reduce stress.

People with high blood pressure can keep their levels lower during times of stress than people who don't have dogs. Owners even have increased odds of surviving for a year after having a heart attack.

Dogs can help both the young and old alike. Children who are able to take care of a dog at school are less stressed, and Alzheimer's patients report many benefits associated with dog-related activities.

Your veterinary clinic Jacksonville, FL can tell you more about how a dog can reduce your stress levels.