Quality time with dogs can reduce stress and anxiety

Any interaction — grooming, feeding, or playing — generates electrical activity in the brain associated with relaxation, concentration, creativity, and attention

For the study, the researchers had people meet, play with, feed, groom, massage, photograph, hug, and walk a friendly and well-trained dog

Spending quality time with dogs can reduce stress and anxiety, a small study has found.

Brain scans of 30 healthy adults showed that simply interacting with dogs — whether it is grooming, feeding or playing — generates electrical activity in the brain associated with relaxation, concentration, creativity, and attention.