Let’s be honest: studying can suck the life out of you. Between deadlines, caffeine crashes, and the soul-draining experience of writing a ten-page paper you forgot was due tomorrow, school can get... overwhelming. 

If you’re deep into your nursing program or struggling to finish your thesis, you’re probably juggling a lot. Maybe you’ve even looked up nursing dissertation writing help and found expert support and assistance from writers with PhD-level expertise along the way. Been there. But here’s the thing—while expert academic help is great, there’s another kind of support that might just be laying at your feet, wagging its tail: a dog.

Dogs Make Your Brain Happy (It’s Science)

There’s a reason therapy dogs are popping up everywhere: from college campuses during finals to hospitals and even airports. These aren't just feel-good fluff moments. Petting a dog can literally calm your nervous system. When you run your hands over their fur or even just hang out beside them, your body responds: oxytocin levels rise (that’s the bonding hormone), while cortisol, the stress hormone, starts to drop. Basically, your body goes, "Okay, we’re safe now."

In fact, a 2021 study found that just 10 minutes of interacting with a therapy dog significantly lowered stress markers in college students. Another study out of Washington State University showed that students who interacted with dogs had improved focus and felt better emotionally during periods of academic stress.

And let’s not pretend stress isn’t a massive issue for students. In fact, nursing students face some of the toughest emotional and academic challenges. The clinical hours, the emotional weight of patient care, the exams: it’s a lot. Having a dog nearby can be like having your own personal mental health coach who doesn’t speak but totally gets you.

More than one survey has found that pet owners, especially dog owners, tend to report fewer depressive symptoms and more emotional stability during times of stress. Dogs provide routine, comfort, and physical affection: all things that our brains quietly crave when we’re neck-deep in study mode. It’s not just about stress relief, it’s about creating an environment where your brain can function better, too.

Why Dogs Are the Best Study Buddies Ever

Sure, study apps are helpful. But can they wag their tails when you finally finish your outline? Nope. Dogs, on the other hand, are built-in mood boosters. Here’s why they make such great companions during cram sessions:

Top 5 Reasons Dogs Beat Study Apps:

1. They help you de-stress
   There’s something incredibly soothing about having a dog nearby when you’re stressed out. Just running your fingers through their fur can feel like meditation. Unlike your to-do list, dogs don’t demand anything from you other than your presence, and maybe the occasional treat. There’s even research that shows interacting with a dog can lower blood pressure and reduce heart rate. It’s like nature’s version of a weighted blanket, but it licks your face and wags its tail.
   Picture this: You’re mid-meltdown over APA formatting, and your dog casually wanders over, drops a tennis ball at your feet, and gives you the eyes. Suddenly, you’re smiling. Your body physically shifts out of panic mode. They bring you back to the moment in a way that’s instinctual—not forced.

2. They get you moving
   Dogs need walks. And when you’ve been in the same chair for four hours straight, so do you. Having a dog forces you to get up, stretch your legs, breathe actual air, and interact with something that isn’t your laptop. That quick walk around the block might not seem like much, but studies show that short bursts of movement help improve memory and cognitive performance.
   Also, walking your dog creates natural breaks in your study schedule. It gives your brain a pause, which helps with retention. A dog becomes the ultimate accountability partner—not just for their bladder, but for your sanity too.

3. They add routine to your chaos
   If you’ve ever tried studying during exam week, you know how quickly routines can disappear. Meals? Who needs them? Sleep? Optional. But dogs don’t let you skip structure. They need breakfast. They need walks. They need bedtime snuggles.
   That consistent rhythm becomes your anchor. Even when your schedule is a mess, their routine helps pull you back into a flow. Before you know it, you’re eating more regularly, sleeping better, and realizing that a structured day isn’t such a bad thing.

4. They don’t judge
   Dogs don’t care that your room is a disaster, your hair’s a mess, or that you’ve been wearing the same hoodie for three days straight. They’re just happy you’re there. You can cry through your study notes or celebrate finishing a single paragraph—your dog will love you the same. That kind of unconditional presence is rare. No pressure. No expectations. Just a furry reminder that you’re okay, even when you feel like a complete mess. For many students, that nonjudgmental companionship helps lessen feelings of isolation or inadequacy that can creep in during study marathons.

5. They remind you to breathe
   Dogs live in the moment. They’re not stressing about your GPA or that upcoming presentation. When they see a ray of sun on the floor, they stretch out and nap in it. They remind you that rest is not only allowed: it’s necessary.
   Watching a dog be completely content doing absolutely nothing is a powerful nudge to slow down. That kind of energy is contagious. In a world where hustle culture tells us to push harder, your dog quietly says, “Hey, take a nap. You’ll feel better.” And honestly, they’re right.

Emotional Support = Academic Survival

Universities didn’t start bringing in puppies during exam week for fun. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are becoming a legit part of academic life because they work. They don’t just help with stress; they help with stamina. They keep you grounded.

Even if your dog isn’t certified ESA, their presence alone can help calm your nerves, lift your mood, and make marathon study sessions feel a little less like torture. For students with anxiety, ADHD, or depression, having a dog around can be a literal game changer.

No Dog? No Problem

Okay, so what if you don’t have a dog? Don’t worry!  You can still get that dog energy in your life. Here are a few ways to borrow the magic:

• Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog. Free exercise, furry snuggles, and major feel-good points. It’s a simple way to help someone else while sneaking in some pawsitive vibes. Plus, walking a dog gets you outside, moving, and momentarily disconnected from your never-ending study list. That fresh air + tail-wag combo? Pretty unbeatable.
  And honestly, neighbors love this kind of offer. Especially if they work long hours or have mobility issues. It’s a win-win-win situation: the dog gets love, your neighbor gets help, and you get a walking buddy who’s always happy to see you.

• Volunteer at a local shelter. If you want all the dog joy without the full-time commitment, shelters are your new best friend. You’ll get hands-on time with pups who need socializing and love—and trust us, they give back way more than they take. The act of giving your time to animals in need is not only good for them, it boosts your own mental wellness, too.
  Plus, shelters are full of personality. Every visit is different, and every tail wag feels like a tiny cheer just for you. It’s also a grounding experience; when you're surrounded by animals who are just grateful for your presence, it puts your academic stress in perspective.

• Use apps like Rover or Wag. Want to get paid to hang out with dogs? Yep, that’s a thing. Apps like Rover and Wag connect you with pet owners who need walkers, sitters, or drop-in visits. You set your schedule, pick your gigs, and get some real-life canine time. Bonus: it's a flexible side hustle that doesn’t involve staring at a screen.
  And let’s face it, "dog sitting" sounds a lot better than "data entry assistant" on your resume, especially if you’re in a health or wellness field. It shows you're responsible, empathetic, and trustworthy—all qualities employers love.

• Watch dog videos. No, really. This might sound silly, but dog content is its own form of self-care. Entire YouTube channels are dedicated to calming footage of puppies napping, golden retrievers being derpy, or senior dogs getting adopted (cue tears). Watching a few of these videos during your study break can help your brain reset and your heart melt, all in under five minutes.

In fact, a 2020 study from the University of Leeds found that watching just 30 minutes of animal videos significantly reduced participants' anxiety levels. So, the next time you fall down a dog video rabbit hole, just call it research-backed wellness.

Pairing Dogs with Study Tools = Academic Gold

Let’s be real: dogs can’t write your papers. But they can make the process a whole lot less awful. Pairing furry support with actual academic tools (like Studybay, for instance) creates a kind of double safety net. You've got emotional support on one side, and expert help on the other. Balance is everything.

Use your pup as your study timer. Write for 45 minutes, throw a toy, repeat. Breaks become intentional, and your dog gets their playtime in, too.

Pet a Dog, Pass the Class

Studying is hard. Life is messy. Dogs make it better.

Whether you're writing your nursing dissertation or just trying to power through midterms, don’t underestimate the comfort of a wet nose and wagging tail. They may not understand your flashcards, but they do understand when you need a nudge, a cuddle, or a reminder to get up and stretch.

So next time you're buried in textbooks, take a breath, scratch behind some ears, and remember: you’re not doing this alone.

Resource List

1. Washington State University News. "Petting Therapy Dogs Enhances Thinking Skills in Stressed College Students." Washington State University News, 12 May 2021, https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2021/05/12/petting-therapy-dogs-enhances-thinking-skills-stressed-college-students/.
   

2. NSARCO. "Colleges & Universities Allow Emotional Support Animals." NSARCO, https://www.nsarco.com/colleges-universities-allow-emotional-support-animals/?srsltid=AfmBOorxu76uFlDCtnW2dpcUgRwcGR_M6Jr4e_XnL7CKEwBe9YFpCVs7.
   

3. Leeds University Biological Sciences. "What Are the Health Benefits of Watching Cute Animals?" Leeds University Biological Sciences, https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/school-biomedical-sciences/news/article/273/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-watching-cute-animals.
   

4. Harvard Health. "Having a Dog Can Help Your Heart – Literally." Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart--literally#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20some%20research%20suggests,of%20stress%20on%20the%20body.