I’ve had an ESA (emotional support animal) dog for almost two years, and she’s been really helpful for my anxiety and social isolation and stuff in addition to therapy and medication. I think ESAs can be a great tool, but I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend reading up on all of the legalities (i gave a brief outline in an earlier comment) and getting your ESA letter before even getting a dog. Also the financial and other responsibilities related to having a pet and the different breeds and their needs (for example, a border collie was bred to be a working dog, so they need much more exercise and mental stimulation than a dog breed that was bred for companionship). I’ve still had to pay for training, unexpected vet bills, boarding, grooming, and anything else a pet requires. Just know what you’re getting into. Also, I would recommend reading up on the differences between a therapy dog, a service dog, and an emotional support animal and their purposes and capacities. I don’t think a therapy dog is quite what you think it is. They are usually trained to provide comfort, etc. to a wide range of people in settings like hospitals and such. I’ve known several therapists who have therapy dogs to help their clients. They can be helpful, but an official therapy dog is not really a one-person thing. If you do end up getting a dog, there are lots of great options besides getting a puppy, which can be a LOT more work. When I was looking for my dog, I knew I wanted a small, mellow dog that was already potty trained and such, so I looked at shelters and rescues. I found my dog, who was a sweet, mellow, cuddly, house-trained, 8-year-old chihuahua mix, at a rescue, and she’s been a great fit!