Science claims that a companion animal can be an excellent solution to many psychological problems. You can call it the pet effect. How does it work? To find out, Bored Panda spoke to Antonio Diaz, a certified and professional K-9 trainer and dog behavioral specialist based in Las Vegas, about the health benefits of having an adorable dog in your life.

“Dogs give people a reason to keep living. My German Shepherd, Brooklyn, literally helped me get through depression after a bad motorcycle accident in 2012 and she is the reason I found my passion and I am doing what I love. Dogs can be extremely affectionate towards humans and they also have the ability to read our body language much better than we (most people) can read theirs."

Studies have shown that dogs can make people happier, lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, and help to release serotonin and other 'feel good' hormones in the brain. Dogs can literally help you live longer! Moreover, “Dogs are used in courtrooms to help victims of sexual and violent crimes speak during their testimony. They are used to help children build confidence in reading and also used to bring happiness to the elderly.” 

But these smart dogs, just like us, have different characters too, right? Antonio confirms: “Some dogs are more independent and like more space, therefore may not pay enough attention to their owner to understand them. These dogs would be less likely to read or understand their human counterparts. I believe that is dependent on the strength of the bond and relationship between a person and their dog. The more time you spend with your dog and the more emotional states they witness, the better they can understand you. With all that said, dogs are master observers and probably know more about us than we think.”

Froma Walsh, a Professor Emerita from the University of Chicago's Department of Psychiatry, claims that our ancestors already knew about the importance of the human–animal bond. “In ancient times and in cultures worldwide, animals have been respected as essential partners in human survival, health and healing. Many spiritual traditions have honored the relationships of people to animal forms of life.” In fact, “Dogs were considered such loyal companions during life that they were revered as guides in the afterlife. When a pet dog died, the owners shaved off their eyebrows, smeared mud in their hair, and mourned aloud for days.”