Those can surely be frightening. I am unsure why you hesistate to call them what imo they are: flashbacks.

Are you in therapy? If so, you and your T might be covering too much ground too fast. Sometimes slower is faster in this respect. Or, if you have changed things in your life, or are in the process, this might be causing the flash backs. Once again, realization that they are occurring is good, and if you can slow the other parts of your life and thought processes, they should lessen some.

You can get a therapy animal that is allowed by law, and a service dog is not a pet, and is allowed no matter what the landlords/hoa say. Please contact a service animal organization that services your area and speak to them (or email through their website.) Companion animals, emotional support animals (includes bunnies and the like too) are becoming more and more the norm, rather than the exception. I agree something of this nature might help keep you grounded, but you would have to keep the leash attached to you, in case you still flashbacked.