rogue

Lisa VanArsdale is a professional 'snuggler' who gets paid $100 to cuddle strangers.

Meet Lisa VanArsdale — one of most in-demand “professional snugglers” who’s paid $100 an hour to cuddle lonely people.

The 27-year-old New Yorker works for a network called The Snuggle Buddies, and her job involves snuggling with strangers for an hourly rate.

Ms VanArsdale is quick to emphasise cuddling is not a euphemism for something else, but it is “platonic touch” and both she and her clients remain “fully clothed”.

“It’s all about platonic positive touch and companionship. It’s designed to be therapeutic. It’s not a sexual thing,” she says in an interview on Channel Seven’s Sunrise on Tuesday.

The blogger boasts the benefits of the practice, which has been proven to release feel-good chemicals.

 

Lisa VanArsdale is a professional cuddler. (Image via Facebook)

"It releases serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine - all of the feel good stuff that lowers blood pressure, boosts your immune system, lowers depression, heart diseases. Scientifically, that's what it's about," she says.

While the service Ms VanArsdale provides is non-sexual, she admits the majority of her clients are men in their 40s to 60s.

"Typically [they're] white collar workers who have sold their soul to their office. They don't have a social life - it's just work, work, work," she explains.

"If they have a marriage it's probably not doing well. Socially, their skills just aren't amazing."

Ms VanArsdale carefully selects her clients to avoid men who might want to do more than embrace, she tells the New York Post.

Lisa VanArsdale is listed on the site with a 5-star rating. (Image via The Snuggle Buddies)
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"I always size them up over the phone first to see if they ask any inappropriate questions, if they’re looking for more than just cuddling," she says.

Testimonials on The Snuggle Buddies website, which has four women "snugglers" listed in Australia, suggest the service is appreciated.

"Thank you for the entire experience. I met my snuggler today and had a great, different experience. I went in with no expectations and was comforted after leaving, so it was truly positive," a client named Paul writes.

One client says the session had helped with his depression, while another reveals he "felt like a new person".