S2 EP 25 - Dogs and Cats Help Anxious Kids Feel Safe — You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Middle school is a time when everything feels unpredictable—friendships shift, social rules change by the hour, and for neurodivergent kids, sensory overload can turn an ordinary day into a storm. So why do animals help so much? In this episode, we’re talking about dogs and cats not as “cute pets,” but as teammates—partners that can regulate a child’s nervous system in real, measurable ways. We break down the neuroscience in plain language: When you pet a dog or cat, cortisol drops, oxy...