Therapy dogs?

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Has anyone here had experience living with canine companions and found that they have a comforting a therapeutic effect? I am a first time dog owner, and before I acquired a dog, I was severely impaired, and exhibited extreme social anxiety when in public.

I would often freeze like a statue, blurt out rude phrases and words, make odd ticking movements, almost like a kind of pseudo tourettes.

Now, when I go out walking, I'm accompanied by my dog. He has a calming effect and reduces my ticking as my mind is completely focused on him.

I'd suggest this to parents of austic children. A docile, well trained dog is a great aide to calming people like us.

Yes, I have a dog and she helps a lot to calm me down if I get stressed and to connect to other people when I'm out. I find it hard to talk to strangers or make eye contact but if I have my dog then when the dogs greet each other I find I can say hello too. I don't have to make eye contact because I can stroke my dog or the other person's dog if they are friendly and I can talk about the dogs which I find much easier than chit chat which is confusing. I also have a chronic pain condition which frequently keeps me awake at night. Having my dog there is very soothing when I'm really struggling. She doesn't care if it's four in the morning - she'll accept strokes and treats at any time! It helps me calm down and keeps my mind away from the pain.

She's not a therapy or support dog though - she has no special training - she's just my lovely pet.

Ended up being 'owner' of my daughters housecat (her fiancé has dogs and they didn't get along with the cat).

The addition of the howly meowler has been a good thing in my life. Wish I owned a cat earlier.