Would kissing a dog brighten up your day? Boston woman Haley Scott is entirely certain it would, and has set up a “kissing booth” to allow passers-by to smooch her golden retriever to their heart’s content.
According to Scott, her three-year-old retriever, Driver, is so full of wholesome love that he has enough to spare for the rest of us. And so, on Moody Street in Boston’s Waltham neighborhood, anyone can now approach her window to spend some quality time with Driver.
As reported by NBC Boston, Scott explained that Driver spent so much time watching the world pass by from his home that it felt like a natural development to open it to the world. She said:
“If we’re just home hanging out, then we open up shop. … I think part of the charm is that it’s gonna be a surprise if you find him. .. If you come visit, you can also give Driver a treat, but just keep it to one because he is trying to watch his figure.”
Scott underlines that if you don’t want to make out with some random dog, you’re free to pat him instead. But, as the report emphasizes, “kisses are encouraged”. Driver also has glowing reviews, as per his owner, “He makes all the customers happy. Oh yeah, 100% satisfaction guaranteed.”
“Joy and unconditional love”
To her credit, Scott has testimonials to back up her claims. The report quotes one Annie Farrell, who reportedly said visiting the kissing booth was “well worth the trip” and underlined, “People need the joy and unconditional love from a dog like a golden retriever.
Science also backs this up. A study from the University of Utah indicates that even brief interactions with dogs not only lowers the stress hormone cortisol and reduces anxiety, but also boosts oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, enhancing feelings of connection and relaxation. They quote recreational therapist Emily Washburn, who explains:
“When someone is struggling with a mental health disorder, often they feel judgment from friends, family, or society. Having a dog that offers empathy and comfort can make a meaningful difference.”
That said, science also underlines that you shouldn’t necessarily just wander around smooching random dogs. The CDC says dog mouths contain the Capnocytophaga bacterium, which can cause minor conditions like blisters and vomiting, but can also result in “sepsis, heart attack, kidney failure, and gangrene”.
But Scott said she’s opened her doggie kissing booth as a small way to make the world a nicer place: “Ultimately, I’m doing this because it makes people happy, and so if this made you smile, then go do something to make someone else smile.”
Published: Jun 16, 2026 11:10 am