dogs reduce stress - video

When there's a dog in the classroom, children are calmer, pay more attention and don't fight as much. Stroking a dog raises oxytocin levels, a stress-reducing hormone, which also helps lower anxiety before a test.

www.ablehere.com/videos-of-disabled-peop...s-in-classrooms.html

I also believe cats reduce stress, it's all about the stroking! I know when Bubba was alive (cat) I always gave him lots of fuss and it used to relax me when I was stroking him. When I gave him a good ol' brush that relaxed me as well.

Is it just stroking?

Yes with Bubba puss and brushing it really relaxed and calmed me.

Yup, I had a golden retriever named Sadie and she was amazing. I loved to stroke her and she loved to be stroked. She would "care for" anyone in the family who was not feeling well. As she got older and developed health issues, taking care of her helped distract me from my own issues. When she finally became ill with cancer and I had to put her down, it was like a piece of me was ripped out. I still miss her terribly. Sometimes I think I feel her near me.