Interesting thread. I think it depends on what type of anxiety you mean; someone who worries about every little thing, or someone who is more of a specialist. I think for most people pets do help relieve anxiety, but for certain types of individuals pets may increase anxiety. For example, there was a member who claimed to be a clean freak, and many other members who identified with her responded to her thread. They explained how they had found ways to adjust to a puppy, and still keep a clean house. With this member it was different though, and her anxiety surpassed the normal range. She described how her little puppy would hide under the glass table shaking all the time. She used her vacuum often, and this does scare puppies, and even some dogs, but she was unable to relax her cleaning habits. She finally decided to rehome her yorkie. However, for the typical, "worry wart", I think pets relieve stress.
I just want to add, before I got Joey, everyone was talking about what high maintenance dogs yorkies are, and I just have not found that to be the case. This again, I think is an individual thing. A Golden Retriever, I think is high maintenance because of his high exercise needs and the fact that they shed so badly. Joey does need daily grooming, but he never sheds. I give him a bath once a week, but this is really enjoyable to me rather than running 10 miles with him. Did you like playing dolls when you were a child? If so, think this is a good indication that a Yorkie is a good pet for you. All you men just replace the word "action figure" for "doll".
Psychologists have found that most people are better off if they can focus on other things rather then themselves. That's why yorkies and other pets can be used as service dogs for people who suffer from panic attacts. |