Panic Attacks and Service Dogs

If you haven’t experienced a panic attack, you may be surprised to hear what it’s like. The intense feelings of anxiety come on quickly. They cause racing thoughts and a racing heart rate. As your heart pounds, you think you can’t breathe. Immobilized by fear, your face may start tingling. You feel like you’re dying, or maybe going crazy. Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, can happen at home, out in public, even when someone is sleeping.

Modern media have portrayed panic attacks, such as in This is Us. Randall deals with panic attacks throughout his life. Randall is shown on the ground, with racing thoughts, thinking the worst. The love of his father, wife, and brother ultimately helps him gain control.

David is a high schooler who lives with anxiety. He sometimes becomes overwhelmed because he anticipates a new situation. Sometimes it’s because he feels insignificant or insufficient. When David feels the panic coming on, he is able to call his dog to him and give her the command “Hugs.” By putting her forelegs on his chest and leaning into him, she gives him tactile stimulation and emotional connection. He receives grounding and pressure therapy.

Like Randall, David isn’t cured of his anxiety by the support he receives. But it is a great tool in his toolbox, a reassurance that life will be alright.

While I can’t share David’s photo with you, I’m going to show you a photo of myself training a dog to help with a panic attack in public. I’ll also show you a dog giving “hugs” coupled with engaging eye-contact.

To learn more about anxiety disorders, visit the National Institute of Mental Health.