My phobia is called "Trypanophobia". What it is, is a fear of medical needles. It came to a head when I was 17 and a bunch of nurses in a ward felt it was their place to hold me down to take blood. As can be expected, I became physically defensive, almost broke a nurses arm and signed myself out of the hospital as soon as possible. The blood test was not necessary - it seems they just decided that I had to do it, because my refusal was "irrational".

When I got pregnant with DD2, my sister and DH started working with me to get me to the point where I could give blood (I am still terrified of injections and so needing my oxytocin by drip is not so bad really). Because she was an AIN, she understood well who was the best person in a hospital to see about needles. In this order was an Anesthetists, Pathologists, Registered Nurses. I tended to agree after watching a doctor butcher putting a canula in my son. It spiked my phobia to see several holes in my sons arm, all bleeding. The doctor was probably lucky to make it out of that room alive! An RN came in instead and got it in first time.

Anyway, my sister got the Pathologist at the hospital to work with me, and eventually we could get me to a point where I gave blood via use of a "butterfly". It was a tiny needle that they stuck in the top of my hand. There was a hose from that to the collection tube, so she could change tubes without disturbing the needle at all. I have been progressing since then that I can get a canula in my arm without becoming physically defensive. But it took baby steps.

For you, baby steps might be the best idea. Start with a puppy. The little ones at the local pet store. See if you can pat them - and then if you can bring yourself to. From there, little lap dogs might be an idea next. Make sure you know they are big sooks and will give you a nice introduction to dogs in a safe, controlled way.

Good luck. You can do it!