University of Denver Autumn 2025

difference in heart rate responses between groups. Individuals without a pet present experienced an average heart rate increase of 28.7%, nearly double that of those whose dog was with them (14.6%). Their cortisol levels also rose more sharply—by 51.3%—compared to a 31.1% increase in the dog group. “It’s widely accepted and appreciated that dogs reduce stress,” says Kevin Morris, director of IHAC. “But what we found was more nuanced than that. If you had a dog present, you still had a stress response, but it stayed within a narrower range. The dogs didn’t just reduce their owners’ stress response—they seemed to keep them in a healthy zone of stress response, not too high or too low.”

That balance is something Williams feels every day with Montana. “When I’m walking into a crowded space, I can pause, take a moment, and prepare myself for the challenge of being in public. He doesn’t take away the anxiety or PTSD, but he helps me navigate it. He supports me through grounding techniques and provides pressure therapy. It takes my attention off the anxiety and brings it back to him.” Chronic stress doesn’t just affect mental health. Over time, it’s been linked to serious physical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. While pets won’t prevent those conditions, they may help keep stress in a healthier, more manageable range.

Williams says Montana, a black Labrador, gives her the freedom to be herself.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | AUTUMN 2025