Professional Cuddling Service Launches in Boise; Holds Open Interviews this Weekend

Could you actually put the words "professional cuddler" on a resume without snickering? Don't laugh just yet, it's an actual profession and you could soon become certified to have that title in the Treasure Valley!

Professional snuggling has been growing across the country.  It's a service that offers clients a chance to share platonic touch for a number of reasons.  Some use a cuddling service for friendship, others for relaxation or therapeutic reasons. Called by it's more proper name, "touch therapy," is actually scientifically proven to decrease stress, lower blood pressure and reduce levels of pain, PTSD, social anxiety and depression through releasing chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin in the body.  When people experience a welcome physical touch, those chemicals increase in our bodies.

Initially popular in the UK, professional cuddling went viral in the United States when Samantha Hess used it as her "talent" during the 10th Season of America's Got Talent on NBC. Hess, a certified snuggler, made it to a second round of auditions where she showed uncomfortable guest judge Niel Patrick Harris some of the "cuddling positions" available to clients.  They included the sidewinder, gummy bear, romeo and fortune cookie. (See the video above for more.)

Intrigued? According the Idaho Statesman, you'll soon be able to explore your curiosity with Boise's very own snuggling service, "Snuggle Buddiez." For $80 per one hour session, women will be able to browse Snuggle Buddiez professionals through an app that includes photos, bios and ratings before booking an appointment. The men providing the cuddles make about $40 per hour.

I'll be honest, the whole thing fascinates me.  I try to think back to what Jeff Connell likes to call my "bad season."  I was chronically single and despite being surround by friends, was also chronically lonely. It was really easy for me to get down on myself and depressed. After a bad day at work it would've been nice to come home and have someone to just hug and tell me it was going to be "ok." At the same time, I knew I was no position to get into a committed relationship until I had my life a little more together.  A professional cuddle session (albeit expensive) may have done the trick to cheer me up back then.  I just don't know if I would ever be bold enough to actually try it!

This option does seem a lot less creepy than meeting up with a guy from Tinder for a some physical touch.  After all, these guys have to go through an interview process that includes a psych evaluation and certification process.  If you'd like to learn more about "Snuggle Buddiez" plans for the Treasure Valley, Michael Deeds at the Idaho Statesman did a super in depth interview with its creator that you can read HERE.

I've forbidden my fiance from even thinking about going to the open interviews at Fatty's this weekend (ya know, if he'd like to continue sleeping in doors) but if you know a guy who gives great hugs...you may want to shoot him this info.  The auditions happen at Fatty's Bar on Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 p.m.