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Service dog for stuttering? I am 55F with adult onset of moderate to severe stuttering which began 4-5 months ago. It is felt to be neurogenic or medication induced (potentially medications used to treat bipolar disorder, PTSD and anxiety). In the short period since I developed stuttering, I have had an evaluation by a speech pathologist but have been unable to get in to see a neurologist or other specialist nor have I yet been able to begin therapy. As if the sudden dysfluency were not enough, I’m unintentionally developing a slew of secondary behaviors which can be embarrassing and further call attention to my problem. Then I become anxious or even panic and things worsen still more. I was already disabled and struggled with the symptoms of my other disabilities so I don’t work or go out much. I have a very devoted, very smart little dog who is my constant companion and has spontaneous developed the ability to sense, even anticipate, significant distress. She comes to me and nudges or licks my hand or leg, or if possible, lay her head in my lap or even climb up and lay her head on my shoulder. I have a friend whose service dog does similar things for her anxiety and PTSD so I’ve been joking that she’s my “therapy dog” or my “service dog”. Only I don’t take her places because she’s a rather exuberant dog and I have not trained her well enough for public places with crowds or excitement. But I’ve been reading about and watching videos about service and therapy dogs for stuttering and I believe that if I could hire a trainer to assist me with her behavior and get her to behave like a good citizen, she could be a huge benefit to me, particularly with those annoying behaviors I seem to automatically resort to. I do NOT want these secondary behaviors to become deeply ingrained habits. Predictably it’s all worse when I’m anxious, stressed, tired or having a panic attack. The dog already spontaneously assists with these symptoms. It seems as though she could be taught to extend them to stuttering related anxiety and behaviors. I swear if she just gave me a nose nudge or snuggle it would help. BUT THERE’S A CATCH. She is NOT a service dog or even a registered emotional support animal and has never been trained to behave as one. I don’t take her in public places or buildings because she’s too exuberant and not trained for the self control needed. Not only that, but I can’t try to train her myself because, like many others, I NEVER STUTTER WHEN I’M ALONE AND JUST TALKING DIRECTLY TO MY DOG. Thats a bit of a barrier to teaching her, even if I knew how to train dogs, which you probably guessed, I don’t. Lol. Does anyone have experience with service dogs for stuttering? I’m tempted to take her over to a local certified trainer and present my case. I just want help getting her to act properly in public and alert to my anxiety and secondary behaviors. She’s already doing most of that. Just not in public places or specific to stuttering, but she can tell when I’m having stuttering stress, for example on the phone, and she responds. That was long but I hope someone knows something. I don’t think I need a professional service dog agency. I don’t even need the dog to be able to go everywhere. Just to the few places I do go, like a class or appointment or support group meeting.