Hug Your Paw Boss for 5 Minutes – Boost for the Heart and Soul
Created By RISC | 4 days ago
Last modified date : 18 hours ago
“Today I’m so tired… let me hug my paw boss to recharge.”
“Why do I suddenly feel calmer, with my heartbeat slowing down?”
That’s all it takes. A simple hug can soothe the body, ease the mind, and melt away stress—especially when the “boss” we’re hugging is our dog.
Nancy R. Gee, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, confirms that hugging, touching, or closely interacting with dogs for just 5–20 minutes can be mutually uplifting. It lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) while increasing oxytocin (the love hormone). And the benefits aren’t one-sided—dogs feel them too. Amazingly, this special connection can even happen with dogs we’ve just met.
Virginia Satir, a pioneering American family therapist, once said that people need 4 hugs a day to survive, 8 hugs to maintain well-being, and 12 hugs to truly grow—both physically and emotionally.
Science backs this up. Marti R. and colleagues at the University of Basel, Switzerland, studied 21 healthy volunteers with no dog allergies. Participants alternated between hugging a real dog and hugging a stuffed lion while researchers measured changes in blood oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex. The results? Hugging or playing with a real dog led to stronger effects, boosting the brain’s executive functions for thinking and decision-making.
Other studies also show that hugging increases dopamine, stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, lowers heart rate, and even strengthens the immune system. These benefits are most effective when hugs last at least 20 seconds.
Hugging also stimulates hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, helping distribute it more efficiently throughout the body—leaving us refreshed and re-energized.
Hugs are like nature’s own medicine—the more we hug, the healthier and happier we become.
When you get home today, don’t forget to hug your paw boss. Remember… always pay attention to your dog’s feelings. If they’re not comfortable, give them space.
This National Hug Your Hound Day—falling on Sunday, 14 September 2025—take five minutes to open your heart and share this healing energy with your furry friend.
And if you’re looking for a home or condominium with a true pet-friendly environment—complete with facilities and open spaces where you and your dog can run and play together—Whizdom The Forestias Petopia is where every day feels special.
Story by Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President of RISC
References:
Gee NR, Rodriguez KE, Fine AH, Trammell JP. Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Front Vet Sci. 2021 Mar 30;8:630465. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.630465. PMID: 33860004; PMCID: PMC8042315.
Gee NR, Townsend L, Friedmann E, Barker S, Mueller M. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Depression, Mood, and Anxiety in Hospitalized Older Adults. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jul 25;13(15):1819. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13151819. PMID: 40805852; PMCID: PMC12346317.
Grewen K. M., Girdler S. S., Amico J. & Light K. C. Effects of partner support on resting oxytocin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and blood pressure before and after warm partner contact. Psychosom. Med. 67, 531-538 (2005).
Handlin, L. et al. (2011) ‘Short-Term Interaction between Dogs and Their Owners: Effects on Oxytocin, Cortisol, Insulin and Heart RateAn Exploratory Study’, Anthrozoös, 24(3), pp. 301–315. doi: 10.2752/175303711X13045914865385.
Holt-Lunstad J., Birmingham W. A. & Light K. C. Influence of a “warm touch” support enhancement intervention among married couples on ambulatory blood pressure, oxytocin, alpha amylase, and cortisol. Psychosom. Med. 70, 976-985 (2008).
Light K. C., Grewen K. M. & Amico J. A.More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. Biol. Psychol. 69, 5-21 (2005).
Marti R, Petignat M, Marcar VL, Hattendorf J, Wolf M, Hund-Georgiadis M, et al. Effects of contact with a dog on prefrontal brain activity: A controlled trial. PLoS ONE 17(10): e0274833 (2022).