Affection from a dog really is medicinal, according to a new study

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

Updated 2002 GMT (0402 HKT) March 9, 2022

Who knew a German shepherd could become a pretzel? Pandemic pup Sam is still a youngster and keeps her pet parents laughing with her clownlike nature. "She is ball-obsessed, so while we have been working from home, we play fetch with her on our breaks — at least when she returns the ball!"
Photos: Pets agree: We couldn't have done the pandemic without them
Pets agree: We couldn't have done the pandemic without them – Who knew a German shepherd could become a pretzel? Pandemic pup Sam is still a youngster and keeps her pet parents laughing with her clownlike nature. "She is ball-obsessed, so while we have been working from home, we play fetch with her on our breaks — at least when she returns the ball!"
Hide Caption
1 of 12
Phoenix, a rough collie who will be 2 in May, helped his pet parents during the pandemic by "forcing us to go out when we're in front of our computers all day." He's also so calm that it's "hard to freak out about anything around him. He teaches me that it's OK to take a pause."
Photos: Pets agree: We couldn't have done the pandemic without them
Phoenix, a rough collie who will be 2 in May, helped his pet parents during the pandemic by "forcing us to go out when we're in front of our computers all day." He's also so calm that it's "hard to freak out about anything around him. He teaches me that it's OK to take a pause."
Hide Caption
2 of 12
Bean, a 2-year-old pandemic rescue, is her mom's at-home work "supervisor" and "one of the clumsiest cats out there. Even though she fails quite a few cat tasks (such as jumping successfully) she doesn't fail to make me laugh during these times!"
Photos: Pets agree: We couldn't have done the pandemic without them
Bean, a 2-year-old pandemic rescue, is her mom's at-home work "supervisor" and "one of the clumsiest cats out there. Even though she fails quite a few cat tasks (such as jumping successfully) she doesn't fail to make me laugh during these times!"
Hide Caption
3 of 12
Not all pandemic pets are furry. Pippy the gecko's cute face helps her owner when she's "feeling overwhelmed -- he doesn't play much, and he sleeps about 23 hours a day, but having him near me (and snuggling him on occasion, when he'll let me) brings me some peace."