Alice Snape, once afflicted by a deep-seated fear of dogs, has shared her personal journey from phobia to becoming a devoted dog owner. For much of her life, she experienced intense anxiety triggered by the sight or presence of dogs, which led her to avoid parks and cross streets to steer clear of canines. This pervasive fear was not rooted in any direct negative encounters, such as being bitten, but was an ingrained emotional response.

Her fear was particularly pronounced around a childhood friend’s German shepherd named Moss, whose presence would paralyze her with panic. Despite her younger sister’s wishes for a family dog, Snape often warned she would run away if one was brought into their home. By her twenties, living in London, this phobia had become a defining part of her personality. On her first date with her now-husband 15 years ago, she expressed her unwillingness ever to own a dog, considering it a potential deal-breaker in their relationship.

Over time, conversations about the future introduced the idea of dogs into her life gradually. Motivated by a desire for personal growth, Snape sought help from a hypnotherapist in London. During the session, she revisited childhood memories and confronted the irrational fear that had controlled her responses. Through hypnosis, she reframed her perception of dogs, particularly Moss, as non-threatening, focusing on calming automatic fight-or-flight reactions.

Following the hypnotherapy, Snape embarked on exposure therapy of sorts by spending time with dogs in a controlled manner. Visits to a friend’s French bulldog, Alvin, helped her develop affection for dogs, moving beyond mere tolerance. She also resisted her instinct to avoid dogs in public, learning to interact gently with those who approached her. Alongside her husband, she used an online platform called BorrowMyDoggy, which connects dog owners with people who want to spend time with dogs, to broaden her experience with different breeds.

This gradual immersion helped Snape realize dogs were affectionate companions rather than threats. She encountered challenges too, such as managing situations when dogs behaved unpredictably, but ultimately found her fear diminishing. The impact extended beyond dogs, fostering a broader empathy toward animals in general.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Snape and her husband decided to adopt a mixed-breed rescue dog named Lucy. Initially fearful and mistrustful, Lucy mirrored some of Snape’s early anxieties. The transition presented difficulties, as Snape described feelings of awkwardness and heightened alertness when alone with the dog. Over time, however, Lucy’s trust grew, and a strong emotional bond developed between them.

Now six years into their relationship, Snape describes their connection as profound and unique. She regards Lucy as her “soul dog,” symbolizing a journey not only of overcoming fear but of opening her heart to companionship and love. Her husband had always believed she was capable of becoming a dog lover, a prediction that has since been fulfilled through patience and persistence.