National Dog Show Hosts John O’Hurley and David Frei Tell It Like It Is
What Dogs Give Us
Pets have a way of becoming part of everyday life without us even realizing it. They show up in our routines, habits and the small moments that end up meaning the most. I have spent years working with people who understand this deeply.
John O’Hurley is an actor, comedian and television host known for roles such as mail-order catalog tycoon J. Peterman on the sitcom Seinfeld; the voice of King Neptune in the SpongeBob SquarePants animated comedy TV series; Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago; and King Arthur inMonty Python’s Spamalot. He’s also co-hosted NBC’s National Dog Show since it became a Thanksgiving tradition in 2002.
David Frei, a leading voice in the sport of dog showing, is the longtime commentator for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as well as O’Hurley’s partner on both the National Dog Show and the Beverly Hills Dog Show. I’ve worked closely with both in my role as the lead media strategist at those events. I recently asked them to share their perspective on what animals give us, and why it matters.
Connection
One subtle benefit of having a dog is its impact on your relationships with others. Walks through the neighborhood or visits to the park become social occasions. Dogs have a way of drawing people in. They turn strangers into familiar faces, and soon those familiar faces become friends.
“Pets often create opportunities for connection that might not happen otherwise,” Frei said. This simple observation highlights a genuine truth. Dogs provide a reason to pause, a shared topic and an easy introduction. The communities that form around them are often authentic.
Stress and the value of presence
“Something as simple as petting a dog or cat can help reduce stress and create a sense of ease,” O’Hurley explained. And it builds over time. The daily routine of feeding, touching and just being around them creates benefits that are hard to find elsewhere.
Research from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that interacting with animals can lower stress hormones and support a calmer nervous system—something most people who spend time with dogs and cats already recognize.
Emotional steadiness
Beyond immediate calm, pets offer something more lasting. They provide consistency that daily life often lacks. They are unaffected by past conflicts or future pressures.
“Pets offer a steady form of emotional support,” O’Hurley stated. “Their presence can help reduce anxiety and create a sense of comfort.” This steadiness is especially valuable during challenging times; not because dog understands our situations, but because their presence is unconditional.
In Closing
The benefits of having a pet show up in the day-to-day, not in big, one-off moments. A morning walk becomes part of how you start your day; evenings feel a bit more settled; and quick exchanges—on sidewalks or in parks—turn into regular conversations. Over time, those small shifts add up to a life that feels more connected both to others and to ourselves.
Frei has seen this dynamic play out across decades and across every kind of person. His advice is direct: “Go hug your dog, and if you don’t have a dog, go get one.”
It’s hard to argue with that.
