8 Health Benefits of Cuddling Dog

Cuddles can calm and relieve stress.
There's a reason some colleges keep dogs around during finals week! Research has shown that even simply petting a dog can lower levels of the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for anxiety, stress, and depression. The balancing of hormones is why therapy dogs are used to help those who have PTSD, and one of the reasons that scientists suspect dog owners live longer.
Cuddles are quite good for your heart.
The cortisol-lowering and oxytocin-boosting effects of dog cuddling help explain why pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and have smaller increases in blood pressure during times of stress. Even the act of petting a stranger's pup has been found to temporarily lower levels! Couple that with all the exercise you get while walking your dog, and you'll have a pretty healthy heart.