Dog Expert Names 10 Best Breeds for Owners With Anxiety

The right dog can provide companionship, predictable routines and a reason to leave the house, all of which some people with anxiety find helpful. Research links pet relationships with social and emotional benefits, but the results vary between individuals and do not establish dogs as a replacement for professional treatment.

No breed is automatically therapeutic. Temperament, age, training, health and compatibility with the owner’s lifestyle matter more than pedigree alone. A psychiatric assistance dog must also be trained to perform specific disability-related tasks; an affectionate family pet is not automatically an assistance dog.