Looking for ways to get an emotional support animal? An emotional support animal makes your life better in a number of ways. People who have anxiety, depression, or PTSD find comfort in their ESA. Your furry friend will be your companion in difficult times. Since emotional support animals are not trained to perform specific tasks, they can’t replace service animals.
These animals are different from pets and other animals as they are here with the purpose of making lives better and more livable. Other than ESAs, there are several other kinds of support animals that help us in a number of ways.
Scroll below to know more about how an emotional support animal makes your life better.
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional support animals are special companions who provide unconditional love and companionship to its owner. To keep an emotional support animal, training is not required. You just have to make sure that the animal is disciplined.
ESAs are not like your regular pets, as the owner is emotionally dependent on this animal. In addition, emotional support animals are prescribed by a licensed mental health professional. After discussing with a therapist, you can get a signed ESA letter with the sign of that therapist on it.
An emotional support animal is a special therapist as it is certified by medical mental health professionals and has a greater purpose than a usual pet. Animals have proven to be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. With the ongoing troubles in our lives, everyone is going through some sort of stress.
Who needs an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional support animals are for those individuals who suffer from a mental illness or emotional disability. These animals help them cope with their condition in a better way and be a part of mainstream society. This way, the pet owners get a chance to interact with each other and overcome their anxieties and fears.
Furthermore, animals including dogs, cats, horses, mice, and reptiles of any age can serve as ESAs. Similarly, they also don’t need any special training to perform their owner’s tasks. They are only responsible for providing comfort and support to individuals with their presence.
The best animals to be kept as ESA are:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Rabbits
- Miniature Horses
- Guinea Pig
“Can I get an emotional support dog for anxiety?”
Yes, you can get an emotional support dog for anxiety after getting a valid ESA letter from your therapist.
Emotional Support Animal Requirements
There are some prerequisites for an emotional support animal. The rising number of fake emotional support animal letters has made the policies more strict. Only a person suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness can have an emotional support animal.
“What conditions qualify you for an emotional support animal?”
These mental disorders include anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy. In order to keep an emotional support animal, you must have a valid ESA letter on the letterhead of an LMHP. The therapist must sign the letter as well. You can then show this letter to your landlord or when you are traveling.
However, it is at the airlines’ own discretion whether they would allow your animal or not.
The emotional disability is certified only by a mental health practitioner. Although these disabilities are invisible, you can’t leave them unattended or they become worse. A person with a disabling illness needs such emotional support to keep them motivated.
Benefits of Having an Emotional Support Animal
Ever wondered why we see more animals and emotional support animals in public and the workplace now? A quick and informal survey of classrooms, places of work, hospitals, convalescent facilities, roommates, and family members will show you the percentage of people with disabilities, who seem to function at a higher level when they’re in the company of their pets.
That’s just one reason why we see more and more dogs and cats in public, right alongside their doting owners.
While dogs and cats are typically the most popular emotional support animals (they’re the most common household pets, after all), a wide range of animals can be designated as ESAs, including rabbits, birds, miniature horses, pigs, and reptiles.
A key indicator of the effectiveness of the presence of an Emotional Support Animal in the lives of its owners is the obvious reduction in behavioral stress.
People who find themselves tensing up or becoming fearful in public situations often have those feelings mitigated in the presence of their dog or cat (as well as the other animal types mentioned earlier).
When someone has had an inordinately stressful day on the job, returning home to the companionship of a loving pet can provide much-needed peace and psychological reassurance. They further improve the self-confidence of a disabled person by boosting their mood and energy levels.
Those who are burdened by the effects of shyness or who suffer from a sense of social isolation, benefit from the presence of their Emotional Support Animal as well. When you’re accompanied by your pet, it’s often easier to meet people and enjoy the company of others.
Pets are a well-known “social lubricant,” and can greatly help to establish personal relationships and social connections.
Shyness, isolation, anxiety, tension, and fear of social awkwardness can all be erased by the presence of an Emotional Support Animal.
-
Provide a Sense of Personal Security
We know that crime is a nationwide problem. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small town or a big city; we are all vulnerable to those who would seek to victimize us.
An Emotional Support Animal has the ability to both deter criminal threats and to give us a sense of security about our homes and our daily activities outside the home.
Nothing is more stressful than being threatened and afraid. Having your Emotional Support Animal—regardless of size or species—goes a long way towards providing the much-needed sense of personal security.
Emotional support dogs are also loyal creatures that will not think twice to protect you even after putting themselves in danger. Moreover, they are also likely to be alert after unusual disturbances that raise an alarm for others as well.
-
Helpful in Ending the Feelings of Isolation
People have become extremely private and isolated now. Long gone is the era when we knew all of our neighbors, their children’s names, and where they hid the key of their front door. We no longer leave our doors unlocked (for good reason).
We have, in many ways, become a society of rigidly isolated individuals whose only commonality is watching the same “evening news.” But having an Emotional Support Animal in your life means you always have a friend nearby — someone whom you love and who loves you in return.
There’s a reason that dogs are called “man’s best friend.” They simply love being with you and they love you unconditionally. Cat lovers have the same experience; a few furry strokes and the purring you’ll hear is a genuine expression of appreciation and devotion.
-
Beneficial for PTSD Symptoms
Many of us suffer from periods of serious, life-threatening trauma in the course of our lives. Whether through military service, as a crime victim, financial distress, divorce, or the loss of a family member, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is a very real part of daily life for many.
Akin to the effects of PTSD, chronic depression can paralyze someone to the point where they simply don’t want to leave the house, go to work, or interact with other people.
People use heavy medicines for treating these symptoms which affects them negatively sometimes. ESAs are often proven to be a natural and healthy way to provide health benefits.
These people often do very well in the company of an Emotional Support Animal and are able to go about their lives without feeling like they’re under the clouds of misery, fear, and worry.
Therefore, an ESA should be used together with other forms for cognitive behavioral therapy. This will allow you to see significant changes in your overall health level and live a healthier, less stressful life.
-
Benefits of Traveling and Housing Accommodations
There are some federal laws that give certain legal privileges to the mentally or emotionally challenged person and his emotional support animal. According to the Fair Housing Act for emotional support animal are allowed to stay in housing accommodations without paying any additional fees or a pet deposit. Furthermore, it is the legal responsibility of the landlord to provide reasonable housing facilities. If you are facing any such issues, contact the department of housing in your area after you talk to your landlord.
The housing and urban development sector has given these people the authority to live with their emotional support animals. However, the owner is responsible in case of any damage to the property.
The Air Carrier Access Act has recently changed laws, not allowing ESAs on planes. However, you can still show a valid ESA letter and ask the airline to carry your ESA with you. For this, you only need to have a verified ESA letter and inform the airline 48 hours ago before checking in.
These animals help to release individuals’ anxiety on the plane. For example, if you are traveling with American Airlines, emotional support animal policy is to show the letter to travel with your furry friend, only if the airline allows it.
According to the department of transportation, you can take your emotional support animal on public transport but make sure that they are well-behaved to be in public.
-
Workplace and Education Facilities
The Disability Act also allows a person to take his ESA at the workplace. It also prohibits any discrimination against the person if he is eligible for the job. Apart from that, these regulations are also applied to the education institutes under which a mentally disabled student can bring his ESA along with him in the schools and colleges.
-
ESAs are Present Everywhere
Wanting or needing to have an Emotional Support Animal in your life is nothing to be ashamed of or to avoid. If you feel better petting a dog, cuddling with a cat, talking to a parakeet, or feeding a lizard, you’re a good candidate for the ongoing sense of security and companionship that only a pet can bring.
In recognition of the benefits of such animals, laws are making it possible for you to live almost anywhere you want and to fly on airlines going anywhere in the country with your beloved pet.
This is why you see high school teachers and college professors on campus today in the company of their dogs. Outdoor cafes now cater to people with dogs and cats, even putting out treats and water bowls for their “canine customers.”
More people are seen in every neighborhood in the country walking dogs today. The stress-reduction and health benefits alone are profound. Walking your dog is good for your dog and good for you.
How is an ESA Different from Other Support Animals?
Other than emotional support animals, service dogs, and therapy animals also help people in several ways. How are they different from therapy animals and service dogs? Keep reading to find out.
ESA Vs.Therapy Animal
Therapy animals are not certified as service animals and emotional support animals. These animals provide comfort to the people who are in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. Besides, they can also come to educational institutions like universities and college dorms also.
These animals are accompanied by their owners and could be anything like cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, and birds. Their sole purpose is to provide comfort but they have fewer rights than the ESAs and service dogs. Plus, they do not need any formal training also
Emotional Support Animal Vs Service Animal
A service dog is more formal than an emotional support animal and where therapy animals and ESAs could be any animal, a service animal is usually a dog or a miniature horse. People with visible physical disabilities like blindness, hearing problem and physical immobility are eligible for a service animal.
A psychiatric service dog is given proper training to accommodate its owner during tough situations. For example, psychiatric service dogs help their owners calm down during an epilepsy attack or are trained to call for help.
These animals are specifically trained to assist disabled persons and they enjoy more rights than the emotional support animals and therapy animals.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
Getting an ESA is not as difficult as it may sound, or seem. However, you will need to go through a legal procedure to get everything done under the law. For the process, you need to follow the following steps.
“How to register an emotional support animal?”
There is no registration required for an ESA, you only need to have a valid emotional support animal letter. If you come across any service providers who promise legitimate emotional support animal registration, know that it is a scam.
Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter
These emotional assistance animals are widely recognized as helpful in reducing the stress of our daily lives through their ability to provide unconditional acceptance, companionship, and comfort.
But in order to get the proper documentation that allows you to take your pet into many public places, live with you in the majority of rental situations, and travel with you in the passenger compartment of U.S. airlines, you need a valid and authentic ESA Letter.
This is a documented prescription written by a licensed mental health professional indicating that an individual will experience certain emotional and psychological benefits while in the company of a pet, including dogs, cats, birds, other mammals, and reptiles.
Also, there is no such thing as an emotional support animal registration. An individual only needs an ESA letter for having a support animal. Before getting the letter, you can also check the emotional support animal letter sample and make sure that you get only the genuine one.
How to Get Qualified for an ESA Letter?
With the help of legitimate, bona fide medical and mental health experts, your symptoms can be diagnosed under your answers to a confidential, straightforward online questionnaire.
Once your responses to brief questions have been reviewed and analyzed by our licensed mental health professional, you will receive a prescription for an emotional support animal. Unlike some animal registry that claims to provide legitimate ESA registration, RealESALetter.com does not claim any such thing and provides legal emotional support animal letter .
You will get the prescription on the letterhead of our professional health care provider. It will describe your symptoms and the likely benefit you will enjoy in the company of your designated pet.
This ESA documentation remains valid for an entire year from the date of issuance. During that year, you will not be discriminated against for any housing arrangement and can ask an airline to let you fly with your ESA.
Check if You Qualify for an ESA
You qualify for an emotional support animal if you have mental disorders like chronic depression, severe anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and other mental disabilities and emotional illnesses. To see if you meet the requirements, just fill out our online questionnaire and one of our experts will consult you on it. If you do qualify, you can move to the next step but if you don’t then also you enjoy the company of a great pet.
Get an ESA Letter from a Professional Practitioner
How to get an emotional support animal prescription? Our therapist will help you with it once you fill out the form and if you qualify for it. Having an emotional support animal letter means that you have the legal rights of living and traveling with your pet. Getting an ESA letter also means that you get to enjoy some unique benefits also.
However, only a licensed therapist can write an ESA letter for you. All you have to do is to get in touch with our mental health professional. He will assess your condition and see if you qualify for an emotional support dog or any other animal, choices are unlimited.
Do I Need to Get an Emotional Support Animal Vest for My ESA?
No, by law, you are not obliged to get an ESA vest for your animal. However, we still suggest that you get one for your animal. Having a dog or cat vest for your ESA will help you identify your animal differently from a pet. It also means that when you go out in public, people will be able to recognize that your ESA is not just an ordinary pet.
Besides, there are a number of other emotional support dog vest benefits benefits that you do not want to miss out on. However, measure your dog carefully to avoid any issues in finding the right size.
Who Qualifies for an ESA?
Depression is more common than any of us knows. And it is even common in the people living in cities and crowded areas. The people suffering from various forms of depression and anxiety are not “imagining” their symptoms, nor are they “faking it” to gain some perceived advantage in the workplace, at home, or in public venues.
These are individuals with real, chronic physical, and behavioral symptoms that they struggle with throughout their days. Their various symptoms can lead to a range of diagnoses, including:
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Panic Attack
- OCD
- Depression
- Phobia
- General Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Attacks
- Bipolar Disorder
Very often, those suffering from symptoms relating to these issues benefit from the regular, ongoing companionship of an Emotional Support Animal.
Emotional Support Animal Laws
To protect the ESA owners and their ESA dogs or any other animal, there are federal laws in the United States.
All you need is a valid ESA letter and you can enjoy the perks of having your companion animal alongside wherever you go. According to the ADA emotional support animal, ESA owners are protected from any discrimination.
It may not be easy to find a pet housing facility for your animal. According to the Fair Housing Act , it covers the laws and rights pertaining to ESAs. No landlord can deny an ESA owner the right to get accommodation.
The same goes for traveling with your animal. According to the Air Carrier Access Act, an ESA owner can enjoy the company of his emotional support animal in the cabin while flying. Getting a valid ESA letter means that you will have the freedom and safety of living and traveling with your animal.
Don’t delay and apply for an ESA letter now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ask my doctor for an emotional support animal?
You can ask your doctor for an emotional support animal by following these steps:
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- Discuss your symptoms to help them understand what you are going through.
- Listen to the doctor if they have any recommendations.
- If your doctor is not an LMHP, then get recommendations from them for an LMHP.
How much does it cost to make your dog an emotional support dog?
It will cost you $100 to $150 to get a valid emotional support animal letter. With this letter, you can make your dog your ESA.