Dogs make great companions and provide comfort for their owners, regardless of whether or not they understand our emotions. Studies have shown that dogs can indeed understand and respond to human behaviour, though whether or not they are empathic when they see their owner upset is unclear and the results are generally a mixed bag.

Still, dogs are pack animals and the human owner of a dog is, to them, their pack leader. Therefore they will protect and support their human without fail. This can be very comforting for someone.