Probiotics are live organisms that confer beneficial health effects to human and animals. They may be used for both maintenance of gut health as well as treatment of specific clinical conditions ranging from gastrointestinal infections to the treatment of neuropsychiatric-related behavioral issues. Probiotics are also extensively used in the production of food animals and in the treatment of companion animals. In addition to gene sequences, this disclosure provide a method to identify dopamine-producing bacteria with potential to be used as probiotics.