Sock + Allie!

PFP made by @theogclownboy Run by Sock's handler (August) and Allie's handler (Robin) Sock in our pfp and Allie in the banner

[essa-education]

Hello! This account is run by two people, Robin and August. We have the goal of spreading awareness about ESSAs, because they're stigmatized, especially in public. We don't want people to go through harassment or bullying because of something that helps them, like we have. The more people who understand ESSAs, the less us handlers be bothered.

So what is an ESSA? ESSA stands for Emotional Support Stuffed Animal. We aren't mocking living ESAs, but not all of us can afford one, and stuffies are allowed basically anywhere, living animals aren't. We also aren't mocking service dogs, we recognize stuffed animals can't preform tasks like a trained service dog can, but it helps some people to use the term Stuffed Service Dog (SSD), as long as the person using that term actually needs a service dog in real life. The most common terms you'll hear used for Emotional Support Stuffed Animals are ESSAs, SSDs, and DSSAs (Disability Support Stuffed Animal)

Intro time!

Hi! I'm August, these are my pronouns: https://pronouny.xyz/u/gay-w3ird0 I learned about ESSAs around two years ago. I have four ESSAs. A beagle named Milo, a jellycat dragon named Castro, a fox named Juniper, and my main one, a Douglas Bernese Mountain Dog named Sock. I use ESSAs for sensory problems, maladaptive daydreaming, and anxiety.

Hello! I’m Robin, my pronouns are he/they, I do not have an ESSA right now but I will be getting one soon to help with my autism and OCD. I don’t know what I will call my ESSA but I’m so so excited for my ESSA to arrive. It’s great to meet you all!

We're both POSIC which is kinda hard to explain so its easier to research yourself, but it basically means that because we're neurodivergent, we subconsciously give objects personalities and names that we don't control. It impacts our relationship with our ESSAs in a positive way. I, August, am also objectum, specifically plushum.

Boundaries:

We're both minors, so please don't be creepy

Don't send DMs without asking, and only other minors are allowed to ask to DM

Please don't ask for our ages or any other personal information, we'll only share what we're comfortable sharing

[essa-education]

I don't feel very bonded with Sock :(

I think it's because I compare him to other ESSAs I see and also he looks sad, i don't know I don't like it though :(

can someone please fix my problem

I'm scared of the possibility of getting bonded with a different Bernese Mountain dog plush because it feels like I'm betraying Sock

- August

[essa-education]

I'm getting a new harness for Sock soon!!

ONETIGRIS FIRE WATCHER K9 Harness 2.0 | Best Tactical MOLLE Vest for Service Dogs & Training

Good K9 control & badass style. Tactical MOLLE service dog vest with adjustable straps, bellyband, soft padded, water resistance & Velcro pa

I plan on slowly collecting patches so I don't spend too much money all at once (even if it is my parents' money lol) but maybe i'll make some of my own so it doesn't look super empty

my only worry is that it'll look a little weird because it's a dark color on black, while his current vest is purple with a little black, i don't know maybe I'm overthinking it

- August

[essa-education]

I don't see many non Douglas ESSAs, let alone non dog ESSAs. there's nothing wrong with that! But it's important to have representation, and show that all ESSAs are valid. The reason I'm making this post is for people to show off their non Douglas ESSAs, or non dog ESSAs, hopefully that makes sense. It's okay if it's a Douglas but not a dog, because those also don't get enough representation! When I have time I'll add a picture of my jellycat dragon, Castro. - August

[exploring-plush-paradise]

Here's our boy Dumpster the raccoon! We love him dearly

[essa-education]

oh my gods where did you get him? we're looking for a raccoon ESSA for one of our headmates

- August

[daily-steiff]

Hasso German Shepherd puppy

[essa-education]

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

so um. this happened?? kinda crazy because I still remember texting Robin being excited about making this account and choosing the username and making a whole new email address specifically for this account - August

[Image ID: the number 1 with a pink balloon, the background is a gradient of pastel blue to pastel purple. end Image ID]

we don't talk about how i'm two months late to posting this, shhhhh I forget this account exists

[essa-education]

Just asking a clarifying question

Are y'all okay with 18+ people making comments under your post sharing their experiences and adding information? Just don't DM y'all or don't comment as well? I should have asked before I commented and I'm sorry about that, I'll delete the comment if y'all aren't comfortable with it

Yes!! Adults can interact in any way as long as they don't DM - August

[essa-education]

Hello people!! I kinda maybe was being lazy and didn't feel like logging out of my main account and into this one, it's a whole thing ugh. Anyway, two things. One, I need suggestions for what to post. Please. I'm begging you. Two, Sock looks really sad all the time and I don't understand why, I give him anything he could want and so I've realized it's probably just the way he was made, and I want to make it so he looks happy because it makes me sad that he looks sad all the time.

Does anyone know how I could modify him to make him less sad looking? He's the Alps Bernese Mountain Dog from Douglas if anyone wants to know

[Image ID: Four pictures of four different angles of a Bernese Mountain Dog stuffed animal. The dog looks sad. End Image ID]

[chelledoggo]

since the creator of Plushie Dreadfuls have been outed as a pretty shitty person (supports ABA therapy and thinks pansexuality is "a phase"), i'm proposing an alternative.

dog plushies that represent different genders, sexualities, conditions, etc...

as for the ones that represent conditions and disorders, instead of portraying them as "sickly" or accentuating the negative aspects, they would promote positivity and self-love.

also there could be a line of "self-care" plushies. like a meditating dog, a journaling dog, an art-therapy dog, a personal hygiene dog, etc...

the plushes could still have a quirky and even a "punk/goth" aesthetic to them, but by and large their message would be optimistic and hopeful: that everyone is deserving of love and understanding.

perhaps i should design a concept for one someday. i don't know how to actually make plushes, but i could draw up some concept art!

[unicorn-sherbet-deactivated2025]

”plushophilia is zoophilic!”

They are….. inanimate objects! You cannot harm an inanimate object

[lilxfaes]

I feel like it's so easy in the plush community to always get caught up in looking for the 'next one' to add to the collection, I know I sometimes get stuck in this, so here's your (and my) reminder to value and cherish the plush you have, make fond memories with them, and love them! Always focus on the present and what you have rather than what you "could" have, plush are the best!

[essa-education]

can someone explain to me the concept of name stealing and why people hate it so much? like i've seen people (all on tiktok ofc) be like "don't steal my ESSA's name!!!" but it's like. names aren't something you steal really? unless you're impersonating someone, especially someone who has a big following, that's a whole other problem, but name stealing is never "hehehe i hate this person im stealing their ESSA's name" it's always "omg this name is so cool!!" so i just like, don't understand? can someone explain to me why it's so bad? or like, for example I've seen someone with an australian shepherd who named their ESSA Calypso from Bluey, and i don't remember the post or anything but say there theoretically was something that said "don't steal names!" and it's like. that's not an original name? if someone else has an ESSA with the same name (and breed especially) you can't be mad someone also had the same idea as you

idk it just doesn't make much sense to me -August

[essa-education]

People invalidating SSDs make me so mad. I understand if you don't agree because they aren't able to task, but when people are straight up saying "if you're actually disabled and need a service dog then just get a service dog" like i WISH i could. How about you get me one? and train it myself? and convince my parents I need one? yeah, well until then I'm gonna have my dog with patches that aren't hurting anyone to cope with not having a living service dog (and honestly i can kinda understand feeling like they're mocking SDs but not entirely?) - August

I don't want this post to be taken as "if you don't support SSDs 100% get off my blog!!! Everyone is welcome here, whether you support them or not, but don't come harassing me for some patches when i physically am not able to have a service dog

[essa-education]

I want to post my opinion on stuffed service dogs. I'm going to abbreviate it as SSDs for this, but remember some people use SSD to mean stuffed support dog, not stuffed service dog, and they don't have to be dogs. I know this is controversial, but I think people are allowed to call their ESSAs SSDs IF they are aware that their dog isn't actually able to task, AND, they also qualify for/need a service dog themselves but aren't able to get one for whatever reason. I think it's okay as long as the person is educated on it, and uplifts actual service dog teams, as long as they also qualify for a service dog. I also understand if it's easier to find patches that say service dog than ones that say emotional support, but please try to leave resources like custom vests and stuff to living service dog teams who need them more. - August

[just-roman-around]

ESSA/SSD owner here! I use the term SSD for two reasons. The first reason might sound a bit rude, but a lot of ESSA owners are between the ages of 8 and 12. While I know there are plenty of older people that own ESSAs, a lot of the community is younger people, and as a senior graduating school in 2 months I felt a bit out of place calling myself an ESSA handler. A lot of ESSA owners roleplay with their plush a lot, and make treating their plush like a real dog a big deal. While I am not above imaginary play from time to time (heck, I'm an age regressor and post content on instagram playing with toys) my designated ESSA/SSD Ares is not exactly a plaything. He's something I need to function, especially in public spaces. Sure, I still treat him gently, pet him, and brush the fur out of his eyes so he can see, but I don't talk to him as if he's a real animal or pretend to train him. Tl;dr: I don't usually call my plush an ESSA because that term is generally associated with people half my age. While I don't mind being considered childish I have almost always been infantilized when I talk about having an ESSA. As a neurodivergent person in my late teens who already struggles with being treated like I'm incapable of complex thought, I prefer using the term SSD to distance myself from the ESSA "aesthetic".

The second reason I prefer calling my plush an SSD is that Ares is a genuine aid for me. I have diagnosed ADHD complete with heavy sensory issues, a schizospec disorder, and anxiety. Additionally, my psychiatrist says she would give me an AuDHD diagnosis instead of an ADHD diagnosis if she could because she is positive I have it. (along with my parents, close relatives, not so close relatives, and friends) Because of this, she prescribed Ares to me and even wrote an official doctor's note telling the teachers I had to have Ares when my school decided to add "no stuffed animals in school" to the rules. Ares is a genuine aid that keeps me calm, regulated, and focused in stressful situations. Therefore, while Ares cannot perform actual tasks, he is a genuine aid given to me by my psychiatrist for my mental well-being. Tl;dr: Getting Ares was strongly recommended to me by my psychiatrist of two years, and she even wrote my school a doctor's note saying I have to have him to function when the principal outlawed stuffed animals. (Mind you, I'd been bringing Ares in school for 4 months at this point with no problems whatsoever.)

And to top it off, after going to college to become a vet tech I will be going to a special school to become a service dog trainer and handler. I love service dogs and having Ares fuels my special interest!

[essa-education]

thank you so much your addition adds so much to this and proves my point further! - August

[essa-education]

I want to post my opinion on stuffed service dogs. I'm going to abbreviate it as SSDs for this, but remember some people use SSD to mean stuffed support dog, not stuffed service dog, and they don't have to be dogs. I know this is controversial, but I think people are allowed to call their ESSAs SSDs IF they are aware that their dog isn't actually able to task, AND, they also qualify for/need a service dog themselves but aren't able to get one for whatever reason. I think it's okay as long as the person is educated on it, and uplifts actual service dog teams, as long as they also qualify for a service dog. I also understand if it's easier to find patches that say service dog than ones that say emotional support, but please try to leave resources like custom vests and stuff to living service dog teams who need them more. - August

[komfortabull]

I drew my friend scheduled to arrive first! I wish I could have met them Saturday but hopefully I will for sure Tuesday ♡

[essa-education]

i’m having a hard time lately. i need to know some ways that an essa can help with depression/anxiety please :)

IM SO SORRY I MISSED THIS 😭 [plain text: I'm so sorry I missed this] I don't check this blog often, but some ways they could help are grounding from petting them, stimming by petting them if they have really soft fur or just a texture you like in general, their weight can help if they're weighted, and just having them there if you have a bond with them can also help. personally it makes me really happy to decorate my ESSAs with collars and vests n stuff but i know not everyone is able to -August