Q: What is your opinion on therians and furries, or people who just think they’re animals in general.
A: Remember that I am not a medical doctor or a therapist, so my answer is based on what I know about the subject and how I think it connects to the development of healthy sexuality.
First of all, therians and furries are two different things.
A Therian is a human being who strongly identifies as a non-human animal. This is more than just a preference for an animal or an interest in an animal. It’s believing that on some level one is that animal. Although Therians recognize that they are not physically a horse, or frog, or dolphin (for example), they nevertheless identify as that animal and may behave in ways that correspond to that animal (hopping and croaking like a frog). Some Therians believe that they were a non-human animal in a past life, or that they can shift their physical form from a human to their animal identity and back (although there is no proof that they can actually do this). As a form of fantasy this may be harmless fun, but beyond that this may signal a psychological problem that needs to be examined. There are many pressures on us that may make us desire to escape from the world of humanity, but this is not a healthy way to deal with that desire.
A furry is someone who enjoys anthropomorphized animals (human-like animals). They do not actually think they are an animal, but they enjoy creating “fursonas” (furry personas) to play or perform as an animal. Some furries create elaborate suits to dress up as an anthropomorphized animal and may act like the animal while in their costume. Some furries choose to engage in sexual activity while in their furry costumes. Again, this can be harmless fun or it can signal a significant problem.
What differentiates harmless fun from a serious problem is remaining anchored in reality while enjoying fantasy and understanding that one is a full human being with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.