An emotional support animal is more than a pet. They are a companion. People with mental illness go through a range of emotions each day. Support animals help their owners to control their emotions and relax. Plus, it helps that emotional support animals are (usually) cute and cuddly.
What makes an animal an emotional support animal?
For an animal to be considered emotional support, they must be certified. Certifications for animal companions typically come through a physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other mental health professional. These professionals must confirm and provide support that the animal alleviates one or more symptoms of an existing disability. This confirmation must be done on their official letterhead and include the information of the individual, including that the patient does indeed have an emotional or psychiatric disability, without labeling what kind of mental illness it is. Some common mental disabilities that qualify someone for an emotional support animal (ESA) are anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The certification for an emotional support animal can be for any type of animal, though it is most commonly a dog. However, some other emotional support animals to consider include cats, birds, rabbits, fish, or rodents.
ESAs come with some perks. For example, an animal with an emotional support certification has unfettered access to apartment housing, even if it has a no-pet policy. It also waives any additional monthly pet fees and your ESA gets free domestic airline travel in the cabin.
However, be sure to check that you have the necessary documentation for your ESA before you fly as each airline has different requirements. For example, Allegiant requires a form from the vet to verify the health of the animal, along with the animal’s certification, a document from your doctor treating you for emotional or mental disability, and a form you sign agreeing to take full responsibility for the animal.
What’s the difference between ESAs and service animals?
While ESAs have access to a lot of places, there are some places where they can’t go, like restaurants or malls as service animals can. That’s not the only difference between service animals and ESAs. ESAs also do not require any training. Service animals are specially trained to perform a function to help their owners, like how a seeing-eye dog helps those who are blind or visually impaired navigate from place to place. Service animals may provide some emotional support as well, but they have been trained to perform other tasks that emotional support animals have not. Service animals are also fully protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) while emotional support animals are not.
Why do people need emotional support animals?
Emotional comfort is a significant contributing factor to why many people want an ESA. Emotional support animals act as home healthcare for those who are struggling with a mental illness. While doctors prescribe medications, sometimes they prescribe an emotional support animal to provide the comfort the patient needs. People struggling with mental illness have found that having an ESA decreases their anxiety and helps them fight feelings of loneliness.
How do animals benefit mental health?
Research has shown that people felt more relaxed, less anxious, and less lonely when holding or petting an animal. They also experienced a normalized heart rate, blood pressure, and reduced depression. If this peace comes from the occasional visit with an animal, imagine how a permanent companion could help ease the stress and effects of mental illness full time.
Even though animals can’t talk and don’t always sympathize with or understand feelings, they still provide beneficial companionship. Many owners enjoy talking to their ESAs because they know that the animal cannot judge or offer advice. Besides having someone to talk to, ESAs also help provide physical affection.
Animals require love and attention. So do humans. By pairing them together, those who need extra physical affection and companionship are able to feel that love and attention. Plus, taking care of another living creature helps people feel important and independent, which is crucial, especially for those with mental illness. Focusing on their ESA helps draw their attention away from the things that cause anxiety and help them become motivated to do things that are good for their mental health, like getting outside and going on walks. The responsibility of an animal may be a challenge, but it also gives people a sense of purpose and increased positivity.
How have emotional support animals benefited those in quarantine?
There’s no doubt that the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has been different. Large amounts of change can negatively affect someone with a mental illness. With so many changes happening right now, with government decisions, social distancing, quarantine, and shut down businesses, people are feeling overwhelmed.
Luckily, those with ESAs have a companion that doesn’t recognize the change–though they might notice that you are home more often. So even though owners may be feeling overwhelmed and scared, their ESAs are not. The steady presence of a neutral animal can help individuals relax and focus on their ESA instead of the news. Having an ESA during a pandemic can help owners recalibrate their emotions and feel more reassured. Even if all your support animal is doing is playing with their favorite toy, that normalcy will help you feel normal too.
Emotional support animals have largely assisted people in feeling less isolated during the quarantine and social distancing period. It’s no surprise that social media feeds and video conferences are full of furry friends…these are the companions helping people cope with the destruction of routine and the threat of COVID-19. While talking to someone on the phone or video-chatting a loved one can help you feel less secluded, having an animal physically present can provide an extra emotional boost.
It’s no surprise that since the start of COVID-19, many animal shelters have experienced more adoptions. People in quarantine recognize the need for companionship, even if the companion is furry. The joy that comes from loving a pet greatly outweighs the isolation brought on by COVID-19.
At Alvarado Park Institute, we care about your mental health and want to help you cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic. If you have been debating whether or not to adopt an emotional support animal, now may be the time. Talk to your doctor about your mental illness and the possibility of prescribing an ESA.
