We all have anxious moments in life, but some people have them with debilitating frequency. Many live with chronic anxiety that hampers their ability to live the life they want. Many treatments are available for various anxiety disorders ranging from prescription medication to cognitive behavioral therapy. Emotional support animals are another way that individuals with anxiety disorders are able to overcome their condition. In this article, we’ll explain what an emotional support animal is and how one can help with anxiety.
If you experience anxiety and are ready to work with a licensed mental health professional for an ESA Letter, complete the form in the link below to qualify your pet as an emotional support animal.
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
While pets as companions have been popular for thousands of years, an emotional support animal is a fairly new concept.
An emotional support animal is a pet that has been ‘prescribed’ by a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist to a patient as part of their plan towards wellness.
An emotional support animal can provide stability and comfort during times of need, when a person may not have any nearby friends or family to rely on. An ESA can be a wonderfully calming presence during emotionally tumultuous times.
Can Any Animal be an Emotional Support Animal?
Almost any animal that is typically kept in the home as a pet can be an emotional support animal. The most typical ESAs are cats and dogs, but they are also frequently pets like birds, rodents, and fish. Wild animals however are not allowed to qualify as ESAs.
Unlike service dogs, ESAs do not require any special training or certification – their job is purely to provide emotional support, rather than physical assistance to the owner. An ESA in other words does its job just by being present in the owner’s life during difficult times.
How to Legally Make My Pet an Emotional Support Animal
To legally make your pet an emotional support animal, a licensed therapist or doctor must recommend an ESA for your mental health. That means you’ll need to meet with a licensed healthcare professional so they can complete a thorough assessment of your mental health.
You are not required to register your ESA on any registration site or purchase an emotional support animal vest for your pet. An ESA letter is the only document you need to legally prove that you have an emotional support animal.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?
Emotional Support Animals for Anxiety
In order to qualify for an ESA, a person’s anxiety must qualify as a disability under Fair Housing rules. The term “disability” has a specific meaning in this context. It means that a person’s anxiety is so severe, that it limits one or more major life activities. For example, an individual may struggle to get through the workday because excessive worrying, restlessness, nervousness, and racing thoughts make it difficult to complete their tasks. It is up to a licensed healthcare professional to determine whether someone meets that criteria.
How Can an Emotional Support Animal Help with My Anxiety?
Emotional support animals can help a person with an anxiety disorder in many ways. As pet owners know, having an animal around can have a general calming effect in a household. Many individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder often report loneliness as a significant contributing factor towards their anxiety, and simply having an ESA around can also stave off the feeling of being lonely.
Emotional support animals can ward off feelings of anxiety through the provision of affection. Petting animals has been shown to have a calming effect on humans. Cuddling up to a dog or cat during stressful times can provide immense relief.
Simply owning an ESA can help a person with anxiety by taking the focus off their inner thoughts. If an individual is spending time grooming, feeding, walking, and playing with their ESA, versus dwelling on thoughts that trigger their anxiety, it can contribute to a steadier, more positive outlook on their life.
Emotional Support Animals are a great way to help with your anxiety!
Because animals can provide an enormous amount of emotional support in a variety of ways, having an ESA is a fantastic way to help you with your anxiety. Although simply having an emotional support animal isn’t guaranteed to cure you of your anxiety on its own, it can be a great addition to your healthcare professional’s mental health improvement plan.
Start the ESA questionnaire to see if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal.
Get the Love and Support you deserve.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only.
What recourse does a landlord have when the very large and untrained emotional support animal causes significant damage to their property?
ESA owners are always responsible for any damage that their animal might cause to the property.
My question is regarding an ESA in a house that you own yourself in a town with an ordinance against that particular animal. Can a town make you move or get rid of your ESA if there is a city ordinance against that animal? It’s so difficult to sell a home and move within 30 days!
This is a bit of a tricky issue, you may find this link helpful: https://www.animallaw.info/article/faqs-emotional-support-animals#s19
How do you ask a doctor for a prescription without sounding like you just want free pet rent?. How do you bring up the matter to your new psychologist?
To clarify, an ESA recommendation is not a “prescription”, and therapists are usually the ones that issue them, not physicians. You shouldn’t be afraid to have an open and honest conversation about your mental health needs with a licensed professional. Many ESA owners have a fear that people will think they are just faking their need for an ESA to avoid fees or rules. That is an unfortunate result of the stigma surrounding ESAs and mental health issues. If you are looking for a licensed professional that is familiar with ESAs and understanding about mental health issues, we can help you get started here: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/
How do I ask my doctor for a prescription for 2 EsA’s without sounding like I gust don’t want to pay dog rent. I believe I have anxiety. I have one small dog I am already paying for at my apartment but she only comforts me when I feel alone and sad. My other dog is bigger and she makes me feel safe at night. I’m very parinoid at night alone and I need her but she is too big for the regular apartment.
It’s always a good idea to be open and honest about your mental health needs. Your doctor will make their own assessment and determine whether an ESA recommendation is right for you.
Can you have 2 ESAs? For example, 2 cats? And are you able to bring them to college for when i live on campus?
Yes, you are allowed to have more than 1 ESA as long as each ESA is covered by a recommendation from a licensed professional. Most colleges have policies regarding assistance animals, it’s best to check to see what your school’s specific policy is. Generally though, ESAs are not allowed on campus without restriction. They are often however allowed in campus housing.
I’ve been considering getting a pet for this but need to figure out what would be best. I have a cat, not suitable for the role, and she will not allow a new cat in. I also have a dog that’s not suitable either and does not do well with other dogs, cats, birds or reptiles entering her home. I had a dog who was perfect and she knew when I was getting upset and comforted me but she passed away which is why I’m considering a new one. I don’t have a question, I just wanted to thank you for this article and speak about Dixie, I miss her so!