According to University of British Columbia professor, Stanley Coren, dogs work better at reducing stress than the common anti-depressant, Prozac.
A recent study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that positive effects produced by dogs included several signs of reduced stress, including lowered blood pressure, slowed heart rate and more relaxed muscles. And those relaxing effects were attained much more rapidly than pills. Having a dog close by reduced stress in as little as five minutes, where prescription medications can take weeks before taking effect.
A Chiropractor's Opinion 