• Arkansas also ranked high on Forbes' list of the states with the most devoted dog owners with 32.5% of dog owners saying they'd spend $4,000 to save their dog's life.

Zoom out: At a time when loneliness has become a serious health concern, recent research suggests there's something special about the way canine buddies boost our mood and longevity, writes Axios' Carly Mallenbaum.

Studies suggest that dogs help their humans with…

• Moving more, and being happier doing it. Whether it's a hike in the Ozarks or a stroll through Fayetteville's parks, walking with your dog is good for your bond, and being more bonded makes you want to be outside together more — which is good for your mental health.
• Offering social support. It's a given that dogs are confidants and companions. But studies are also helping us understand how dogs can reduce loneliness and chronic mental health illness.
• Lowering stress levels and blood pressure. Petting or snuggling with a dog offers a boost of feel-good hormones and a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, similar to hugging a human.
• Improving overall health — possibly including sleep. A look at 10 months of pet ownership found that adopting dogs led to less difficulty sleeping and a decrease in health issues like indigestion and headaches.

• Sensing medical problems and changes. Some dogs might smell when a human has low blood sugar, is about to have a seizure or if COVID-19 is present. Plus dogs have shown they're able to tell when people are stressed.

Reality check: Humans are good for dogs, too.

• Not only do dogs also get oxytocin by interacting with us, but dogs' brains light up at the sound and scent of their humans — the same way babies' brains do, fMRI machines have demonstrated.

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