India, March 15 -- Do you get an instant dopamine boost of pure joy when you play and spend time with your dog? The affectionate head pats and belly rubs distract you from your negative moods as you're engaged with the canine companion. You leave more refreshed after the playtime.

A study published in the journal PLOS One revealed that for university students, this interaction lowered stress hormones and enhanced their mood. But this is mutual, a two-way relationship, as dogs also benefit. Their stress levels decrease after spending time with humans.

The study was conducted at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. It included 122 students and six friendly dogs, including five chihuahuas and a shetland sheepdog.

Before the test, the studen...