ESSA stories
Ali
In 2022, someone I thought was my “friend” started spreading rumors about me—making up horrible things and telling them to my other friends so they’d turn against me. For a whole year, one of my closest friends would fight with or yell at me every day because of those lies. That same person even made up code names to talk badly about me right in front of my face, and got others to play along.
It left me in a really dark place mentally, and I developed serious trust issues.
Then I came across ESSAs on TikTok. Since I had already used comfort plushies before, I thought they might help—and they did. In 2024, I started my own TikTok account and found an ESSA that truly helped me cope with both trauma and my mental health.
Now, I hope to inspire others and help them discover ESSAs—just like others once helped me.
Jay
It was back in July–August of 2023 when I discovered the ESSA community, and I guess I finally felt seen. I’d carried plushies with me my entire life, but around that time, I’d started doing it less and less, since it was seen as “unacceptable.”
I had recently ordered a new German Shepherd plush from Bocchetta and decided I wanted it to be an ESSA. Soon after, I found out that the brand “Douglas Dogs” was really popular in the community—so I got one of my own. Let’s just say it’s now one of my biggest collections :’)
Now, my two favourite dogs—Riley and Lucifer—come just about everywhere with me. Places like WonderWolfPlush, LittlePawsPlushies, and LaceyLanePlushies are the reason I was even able to get Douglas Dogs in Australia, and I’m forever grateful.
— Jay (aka HowlingHelpers)
Violet
Between 2021 and 2024, I was bullied by a lot of people because of a feature on my face. It made me feel really sad and so insecure that I didn’t even want to go outside. My confidence was completely gone, and I started struggling a lot with my mental health.
Then I found ESSAs on TikTok. I hoped they might help me feel a little more confident and supported—and they truly did. After getting my first ESSA, everything began to shift. They brought me comfort, helped me feel less alone, and became a huge part of my healing.
Jasmin
I found Suho, my golden retriever ESSA, during a time when I was really struggling with anxiety. From the moment he came into my life, he’s brought such a calming presence. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, nervous, or even scared—especially in places like shopping centers or unfamiliar environments—having Suho with me makes all the difference. He helps ground me and reminds me that I’m not alone.
I chose the name Suho because, in Korean, it means “protector” or “guardian.” It suits him perfectly. He may be quiet and gentle, but I always feel safer with him by my side. Just having him there gives me strength.
All of my ESSAs are different breeds, each with their own personality. Some are bold and brave, others are soft and soothing. Each one offers a unique kind of support, and I’ve found real comfort in their differences. Whether I need quiet reassurance or a little emotional courage, one of them is always just right for the moment.
I’m truly grateful to have them in my life—and I’m so happy to be able to share my experience.
Ella
I was quite young when my dad passed away, and I grieved terribly—I missed him so much. Around May 2023, I started seeing ESSA videos on TikTok and quickly became really drawn to the community. I loved the idea of people using plushies to comfort themselves, and it felt like something I truly needed.
At the start of June 2023, I got my first-ever ESSA—a wolf I named Neptune. I even created a whole backstory and lore for him because it made him feel more special and unique. I loved him deeply. I slept with him every night and wiped my tears in his fur when things got hard.
When school started again, I was really struggling with anxiety and friendships, so I got my first Douglas—Koda, a border collie. He quickly became my comfort and my best friend. I cuddled him every day, cried into him, and even dressed him up in a little dog Christmas pajama set and a Halloween costume. I still remember the day I got him—I rushed home from school, opened the box, and took him straight to my cousin’s backyard to do a little photoshoot.
I still love Koda so much. Even though I have many ESSAs now, he’s still my favorite boy.
Thanks for reading if you did. 💕
Millie
I was 10 when I first discovered ESSAs. At the time, I was being bullied, and even though I started hiding them, I still took them to school—they brought me so much comfort. When I left that school, I completely forgot about my ESSAs for a while.
Then in 2024, my mental health took a turn for the worse. I had a really hard time, including an attempt and struggles with self-harm. That’s when I found my way back to ESSAs. They helped me through some of my darkest moments.
As someone with autism, I also struggle with sensory issues, especially in loud or busy places. Having an ESSA has made those situations so much more manageable. In fact, I got my first Douglas (Opal) for Christmas in 2024, and she’s been a huge source of support ever since.
💗💗
Everest
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a plush leopard named Jasper! I used to take her to school with me all the time —she’d be tucked away in my bag, especially when I’d get told off. Then, when I moved to my new school, I had a teddy called Midnight (who I later renamed Leo). Leo went everywhere with me after my nan gave him to me. I even used my dog’s old harness for him (which I now use for Zazu, one of my ESSAs), and my sister got him a little lead and collar!
Recently, I made the hard decision to retire Leo. I developed PTSD from things that happened between Year 4 and Year 6, and I missed nearly all of Year 6 because of it. Sometimes just looking at Leo would trigger flashbacks, and I couldn’t even bring myself to touch him. But I’ve changed his appearance, name, and pronouns—and that’s helped me reconnect with him in a healthier way.
This year, I discovered ESSAs and everything changed. I now have a Douglas border collie pup named Max, who goes almost everywhere with me (even to school sometimes). I also have an Iberian wolf named Zazu and a fox named Flynn. I love them all so much—they each support me in different ways.
Ale
It all started in a dance graduation. One of my friends was nervous. This was their first time on stage. They fainted halfway through, in front of me. I got scared but kept dancing, then, she started to have a seizure. A few days later I got unfortunate news that she passed. I cried, but one Friday my mom got me a puppy for what happened. I was happy but me and my dog switched roles... I was the emotional support for her, so I decided to get an ESSA that now helps me for anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues (I still love my dog and my dear friend) .
Ava
I got my first-ever dog—a bulldog—and he was my whole world. I loved him so deeply. One day, something went wrong with his eye, and we started using eye gel to treat it, but it only got worse. It turned out his tear duct wasn’t working, so his eye dried out, and his eyelashes started rubbing against it, causing a painful ulcer. Eventually, his eye ruptured and had to be removed.
Just two days later, he passed away from sepsis.
After that, I found ESSAs and became a little obsessed with treating them like real dogs—probably as a way to cope with the trauma of losing him. Even now, whenever I talk about him or the idea of getting another dog, I end up crying.
But it’s okay. I’m healing. <3
Izzy
In January–February of 2023, I started struggling with my mental health, anxiety, and ADHD. It got to the point where I was barely going to school during the first term.
About a year later, I came across a video by Howling Helpers while scrolling on YouTube. A few days after that, I discovered what the ESSA community was—and funnily enough, it turns out International ESSA Day is on my birthday!
Earlier this year, I went to my friend’s birthday at a buffet and decided to bring Star, my ESSA. But when I got there, my friends said, “Why does Izzy have that plushie? She’s not a baby. Only babies take teddies to restaurants.” I was so embarrassed and nearly started to cry. Their words really hurt. I held Star tightly under the table and started stroking her fur. After about five minutes, I calmed down. She really helped me through that moment.
In January of this year, my younger cousin Paige got her ESSA, Scout, from the original Lacey Lane Plushies website.
I hope you and your ESSA have amazing adventures together—just like Star and I do.