20/10/2025
Do you let your dog on your bed?
YES! They are part of my family, however both dogs are trained assistance dogs. They both perform different tasks, one helps wake me and settle from nightmares, the other notices changes in breathing and alerts. They also give me a lot of reassurance and calmness whilst being forced to bedrest.
Patting a dog not only reduces cortisol levels (stress), it lowers blood pressure, slows breathing rates, lowers heart rate and releases oxytocin (love hormone) that strengthens bond between you. Dogs also receive a benefit of oxytocin, it also lowers their heart rate, and gives them positive emotional state (boosting their mood) as well as increasing dopamine.