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Anxiety

Not everyone feels safe and free from anxiety all of the time.  A healthy dose of fear can keep us safe from things that may harm us.  But, when that fear response feeling becomes unrational and stops us from living happy, productive lives, chronic anxiety begins to take over and we are no longer in control of our own lives.  According to prominent scientists in the field of canine research, petting a dog decreases the release of cortisol and increases the release of oxytocin in the bloodstream.  Decreases in cortisol lower blood pressure and bring a sense of relaxation, while increases in oxytocin, this same chemical released when a mother nurses her infant, will facilitate a sense of security and well-being.

For anyone with an anxiety disorder, a dog can help with emotional regulation.  For instance, those who are very anxious and show anger issues find they can not work with a dog if they yell.  They must use restraint and keep a calm, even voice at all times in order to be successful with a dog.   A person with severe anxiety during the night may find themselves with frequent sleep disorders.  They may find themselves curled up in the closet, gripped with fear behind the clothes, wielding a knife into the darkness.  With a Dire Wolf Guardian service dog trained specifically for those with PTSD, sleeping through the night can now be a reality.  Simply having a dog around allows the person with an anxiety disorder to completely trust the dog's calm body language in order to more accurately assess the safety of their surroundings, as dogs have a much keener sensory capacity than people. Working with a dog also helps build confidence and more easily bridges the gap with strangers.  More often than not the response to one another and the bond between the person and their dog is immediate.