I have stress, nightmares and anxiety that she will lay with me until I calm down no matter where I am

March 2, 2026

My dog, Princess, provides essential emotional and anxiety-related support for my daughter. My daughter experiences recurring nightmares and anxiety episodes that can escalate quickly into panic attacks, particularly at night.

During these episodes, Princess performs a specific calming response by laying across or firmly against my daughter’s body. This deep pressure contact helps regulate her breathing, reduce her heart rate, and interrupt the escalation of panic symptoms. Princess’s presence significantly shortens the duration and severity of these episodes.

If Princess is not present, my daughter’s anxiety intensifies and becomes much more difficult to manage. Princess provides grounding, physical reassurance, and emotional stability in a way that has proven to be highly effective and consistent.

Because of this, Princess is not simply a household pet. She performs an essential support function that directly assists my daughter in managing anxiety and panic-related symptoms.