@elizadolittle
I found your post helpful and informative. We all have to find our own personal ways to deal with ICD, pacemaker surgeries both physical and mental discomfort.

Having experienced ICD shocks at least 15 times over the 20 years quite familiar with device, surgeries (I am on my 3rd) the chest pain associated with surgeries, PVCs, PACs, tachycardia, the device and wires, arm movements that can cause pain. The surgeries themselves are painful and some experience more pain that I did. But it is going to take time for body to accept and encapsulate your device as well as mental health dealing with having a device.

Regarding how to have your dog classified aa emotional therapy dog and your perfect description of them being a pain pill reducer. Do you see a anyone in psychiatry? If so have them write a letter identifying your dog as emotional support. I did this at Mayo Jacksonville and carried a letter with me from psychiatry department stating my dog was a PTSD service dog under ADA. Your primary care doctor can also do a emotional therapy dog also.

For those not wanting a therapy dog to help with anxiety of having a ICD, Pacemaker (or dual device like mine) and the pain and discomfort your get form the surgeries and body dealing with a foreign device look at finding an exercise (after doctor approval) or a hobby you like to do. I found it will help reduce your mind on pain from surgery, arm movements, etc. and can really help you mentally as well as physically. I got feedback from others about water aerobics I recommended and how much it was enjoyable and stress reducer.

The recent chest pains I was getting is sometimes irritation around the device. I found I was also getting chest pains from tachycardia also. I know one poster reacted to what I posted about having your ICD or pace department look at arm movements as causing issues with device.