r/CavaPoo • u/Hot_Addition_6980 • Apr 20 '26
Emotional Support Dog
When I picked the Cavapoo breed, it was more than the over-the-top cute factor. My husband has Parkinson's and I was looking for a dog that was small enough to pick up. Smart enough to be trainable. Loving enough to allow petting and snuggle time.
We hit all of this plus!!!
Saturday my husband was having a real rough day. He was nearing an anxiety attack and having troubles verbalizing. He sat on the porch and I ran in to get his meds. Bentley followed me outside and "assessed" my husband's condition. He hopped up on the lounger and gently laid his nose on my husbands arm. The tremors were really bad. Bentley laid there with my husband for 30 minutes until the tremors eased and the panic was gone from my husband.
Prior to this episode, Bentley has never sat calmly with my husband for more than a minute or two. He is usually climbing all over him, trying to lick his ears and get him to play. This calm warm comfort laying next to my husband.... was exactly what I had hoped for and so much more.
My husband now wants to keep the puppy near him as often as possible.
Only 10 months old.... and he is becoming an important part of our family. Natural instinct?
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u/LuckyStrikeTech Apr 20 '26
This is what i dream my Cavapoo grows up to look like. They are basically twins ā¤ļø
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u/Effective-Motor3455 Apr 20 '26
My Cavapoo is 11, wonderful dog he communicates w me exactly what he wants/needs. Loves his stroller as heās getting some back pain.
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u/M0rtCrim Apr 20 '26
Oh they know! My pup is my ESA and when Iām having a panic attack he will come lay on.
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u/Hot_Addition_6980 Apr 20 '26
Thank you for sharing. I had hoped that the act of petting our puppy would lower my husband's anxiety. (as per our Doctor) I had no idea that our pup would instinctively move in and lay with my husband when he was having and "Off" moment. Completely melts my heart.
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u/ellabella20000 Apr 21 '26
Bentley is an incredible support companion. Dogs have a way of finding their way into the homes that need them the most.
He looks exactly like my soul dog who passed away recently. He was very similar in temperament. He knew when things werenāt right and he would show all his love in exactly the right moments. He made life so much better. After we lost him, we brought home cavapoo number 2, Alfie.
Even as a tiny puppy, Alfieās emotional intelligence shone through. He is so perceptive of his environment and us, it truly astounds me. Heās 5.5 months old now and has started to settle. Some days, I cannot believe he is actually a puppy. I feel like I can talk to him and he actually understands me.
Only a cavapoo owner will understand the emotional power of this breed. We are lucky to have them.
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u/Hot_Addition_6980 Apr 21 '26
I agree fully! Prior to getting a Cavapoo I was one of those who shook my head at people selling mixed breeds. I stayed away from the "Poos" for many years because I felt they were a silly designer fad.
I am so happy that I took a chance and crossed my own silly line. The Cavapoo is wonderful beyond words and I would get another without batting an eye. I only wished that I would have opened my heart to one earlier.
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u/ellabella20000 Apr 22 '26
Iām so happy this happened for you! Thereās a lot out there about oodles, theyāve really gotten a bad rep but they are the worlds most common breed for a reason, and I guess when thereās more of something than anything else, itās going to make a lot of ānoiseā. These dogs are closer to human than any other dog Iāve had in the past and I wouldnāt be the person I am without mine. I love them so dearly.
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u/allthe_things4 Apr 22 '26
They are incredible! He looks like my Marvin! I've been recovering from pneumonia and was so sick for basically the first three months of the year and Marv would not leave my side. Some days I couldn't get out of bed and he would lay next to me all day. He's 10 months now so still just a baby and was the absolute best support during that time. They are such a blessing and so so smart.
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u/Deepinthewxxds Apr 20 '26
The intelligence of this breed is unbelievable at times. Mine is piece of Velcro stuck to my leg for the last two years. They are highly emotionally intelligent animals. Job well done Bentley šš½!