Most people who own dogs will quickly tell you about the unconditional love and joy they have received from their furry companions. Mental health professionals are acknowledging these emotions and the consequential endorphins they release that help people who suffer from a variety of mental and emotional issues.
This has resulted in the popularity of ESAs or emotional support animals worldwide. In the United States alone, there has been a dramatic increase in anxiety levels over recent years. It’s no wonder that more people are turning to ESAs than ever before.
Click here to get your dog approved as an Emotional Support Animal by a licensed doctor quickly and easily with a click of a button.
What are Emotional Support Animals?
An emotional support animal is defined as an animal companion that offers a benefit to a person with some disability or illness.
The animal is intended to provide support and companionship that will help lighten at least a single aspect of a person’s disability or disabilities.
Although there are numerous types of emotional support animals, such as cats, miniature horses, pigs, and ducks, the most common is dogs. Yes, Charlie, that lovable Golden Retriever from next door, could be an emotional support animal.
What Are the Benefits of Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals offer a myriad of benefits. Research has long reinforced the idea that they can deliver remarkable mental health benefits.
According to a study published in 2009, owning a pet has helpful effects on mental health. It fosters emotional connectivity and helps people manage better in times of crisis.
Let us explore the few other benefits that emotional support animals can provide.
Unconditional love
Having an emotional support animal can provide a feeling of connectedness and unconditional love, which people with illness and disability may otherwise struggle to find. However, this doesn’t mean that someone with an ESA is deliberately avoiding others or are lacking the capacity to connect with people.
Emotional support animals can help someone who feels alone feel loved and that there’s a companion who is with them every step of the way. This can markedly reduce the debilitating nature of a variety of symptoms and improve a person’s overall mental health.
A relationship with an emotional support animal can be a stepping stone to more meaningful relationships with humans. Apparently, there’s nothing in this world that a dog’s love can’t fix.
Calm Anxiety
Flying can be a nerve-wracking and distressing experience for some people. Having an emotional support animal can dramatically change the experience for people who have issues traveling in planes and can make flying more bearable. Keep in mind that not all travel is for the purpose of leisure.
Although many people find flying difficult, they are left with no choice because travel is necessary for their business or work. There are other times when it’s necessary because of medical treatments. An emotional support animal not only helps make travel better but can make it possible.
People who suffer from anxiety can focus on their emotional support animal instead of worrying about their flight or their fear of flying.
The next time you are seated next to someone with a dog, try to pat it if you’re allowed. Its calming presence may just help you too.
ESA’s Compliment Other Treatment Plans
Emotional support animals not only provide support; they can work hand in hand with certain treatment plans to treat symptoms and help make life better. There are different types of treatments, and most often, an ESA can be incorporated into a variety of treatment plans.
For example, the trauma resiliency model of treatment uses Emotional support animals as resources for people who need to bring themselves down from an emotional high or its exact opposite.
Stabilize Intense Emotions
If you are feeling anxious, fearful, or particularly down for any reason, your emotional support animal may be just what you need. The ESA’s steady-state, as well as neutral but supportive stance and affection, can help divert your attention from the present situation to focus on them.
Because emotional support animals don’t get agitated, or anxious, and are not depressed, they can help you recalibrate your emotions. They can be very healing when the situation warrants it.
Regulate Feelings
Emotional support animals are there for you daily to help regulate your emotions. Numerous studies show that the presence of an animal and petting an animal helps reduce anxiety improves mood and keeps physiological arousal regulated.
They provide attention on demand and unconditional connection no matter what time of the day it is and regardless of your living situation.
The Difference Between Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals
Although emotional support animals and service animals share similar characteristics and people often mistake one for the other, they are not the same. There are important distinctions between the two types.
Emotional support animals provide support and companionship, as well as alleviate distress. Service animals, on the other hand, assist people with disabilities by performing certain tasks.
Service animals have been trained to perform services or tasks for a person with a disability, hence the name. Disabilities run the gamut from psychiatric, physical, intellectual to sensory.
A few tasks that they perform include retrieving items, helping a person cross the street, and alerting others if a person is having a seizure.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed on Flights?
You may have boarded a plane before and wondered why that lady brought her cat with her. She may not only be able to afford to do so but there could be more important reasons for her choosing to fly with her pet.
Recently, emotional support animals have racked up frequent flyer miles and have created issues for airlines. The substantial uptake of passengers flying with ESA’s has also created much debate on social media about the appropriateness of animals traveling on planes.
Yes, ESAs are allowed on some flights, provided that you follow regulations, policies, and etiquette.
For the most accurate answer though, please check with your airline BEFORE you front up at the check-in counter.
Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal
People who need to bring their emotional support animals when traveling can do so, but they have to submit documentation, including, but not limited to the following:
- Medical professional’s authorization
- Veterinary documentation
- Passenger’s guarantee of behavior
Many airlines are cracking down on emotional support animals recently. This means that organization is key if you want to travel with one. In the past, it was possible to travel with an ESA without proper notification.
However, that has changed, and the majority of airlines have implemented a 48-hour notice period for individuals who want to travel with ESAs.
Get Approval
Make sure you check the necessary requirements with the airlines you’re flying with and ensure that all your documentation is in order for submission.
This can be a stressful process, but you can eliminate the guesswork and have professionals handle it for you.
There are plenty of companies that take care of this for you and can get ESA approval in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Click here to get your dog approved as an Emotional Support Animal by a licensed doctor quickly and easily with a click of a button.
Prepare Your Dog
It’s also important to prepare your dog for travel. The airport can be an overwhelming space. There are constant ear-shattering announcements and thousands of people rushing in and out. Take the time to prep your dog.
I recommend that you watch this short video on The Calming Code to ensure that you know how to keep your dog calm as you transit through an airport.
Pack all Essentials
How you pack can make or break your trip with your emotional support animal. You’ll want to nail packing if you want everything to go smoothly. Some of the things your ESA’s travel kit must contain are the following:
- Paper towel
- Harness
- Collar and leash
- A variety of treats
- An emergency first aid kit
- Poop bags
- Pop-up water bowl
- Empty water bottles to be filled up after security
Related Documentation
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
FHEO Notice: FHEO-2020-01: This document covers the obligations of housing providers under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) with respect to animals and individuals with disabilities.
HUD Guidance on Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act Relating to Assistance Animals.
Understand your rights and obligations under the Fair Housing Act regarding assistance animals, particularly emotional support animals.
Michigan State University College of Law
FAQs on Emotional Support Animals
This article answers questions on emotional support animals
