An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides emotional support, comfort and companionship to its owner. To be legally considered an Emotional Support Animal, pets must be prescribed by licensed mental health professionals for a person with a disabling mental illness.
There are many benefits of emotional support animals, and here we cover the most common reasons why an Emotional Support Animal can be so beneficial to those that are struggling with their mental health.
Emotional Support Animals Offer Companionship
Anyone that has owned a pet will know the endless joy and unconditional love they provide. They reduce the feeling of loneliness or seclusion that a person may be feeling as they offer constant companionship. As a therapy animal, they can help people with a mental health disability with a closeness where they would tend to unconsciously push people away.
But animals don’t abandon their owners once they’ve bonded with them, no matter what that person says or thinks. Animals respond to rejection with a nuzzle and cuddle, breaking down the barrier that their owner is putting up.
Owning a pet provides and encourages opportunities for you to interact with other pet owners as you have something in common to talk about. You may meet in a park, at the vets, or at an animal group. This can help lessen the feeling of loneliness.
Alleviating the Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress
Having a pet has been proven to reduce depression anxiety and stress. The comfort they provide helps to prevent panic attacks and high blood pressure. The purring of a cat releases endorphins in their owners which lowers stress hormones.
Sitting with your pet and stroking or grooming them can bring about a sense of calm. And playing games with them can distract you from any negative thoughts. Humans have a basic need for contact and animals are able to fulfil this need with mutual affection.
Caring for an Emotional Support Animal
The type of animal that feel can support you can depend on you but caring for a furry friend can help give you a new sense of purpose. They rely on you for food, water, exercise and socialising, so you have to get up and take action. Depression saps motivation but doing a small task then motivates you to do more. Taking care of an animal leads on to taking care of yourself.
Caring for a pet will build confidence and independence. It provides a sense of achievement that’s infectious and can lead to people pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone and trying new things. They can provide new opportunities for hobbies such as dog agility or walking groups.
Benefits of Physical Exercise with Animals
It’s well known that physical activity does wonders for mental health as it releases feel-good hormones and gives you more energy. But finding the motivation can be challenging. Those that suffer with mental health conditions often find it even harder to get started.
Dogs make great Emotional Support Animals as they encourage you to go for walks and spend time outside. Being active is good for your physical health too, it reduces the risk of physical ailments such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. Some dogs are trained, but your own can become an Emotional Support Dog, and they can be there for you in the same way you need to care for them.
How Animals Can Help Develop Structure and Routine
People who suffer from mental health conditions often find it hard to adapt to change. They’re at their best when they have a routine to follow, and everything is as they expect it to be. Sudden changes can bring about panic attacks and increased blood pressure.
Looking after a pet can be very structured as they prefer a routine too. Generally, you have set times for feeding, walking, grooming, and even cuddling, like evening cuddles. Animals help people to keep a structured day which goes hand in hand with giving them a sense of purpose and keeping them active.
Emotional Support Animals and Children
Emotional Support Animals are beneficial for both adults and children. Many children find it easier to bond with an animal than other children. They can use nonverbal communication to connect with the pet if they prefer. Animals also offer a safe space to outlet their secrets and private thoughts.
Animals are non-judgemental and offer unconditional love and emotional support. They provide a sense of comfort and security that the child may not be able to get from other people or places. Looking after a pet teaches a child compassion, empathy and responsibility, which builds their emotional intelligence.
Emotional Support Animals can help children with learning disorders, ADD, Autism, PTSD, and phobias such as agoraphobia (fear of being outside). They help children to feel more accepted and understood.
Emotional Support Animal Registration
Many people with mental health conditions rely on Emotional Support Animals. Unfortunately, there’s no UK registry for them as they’re not considered legitimate assistant animals and are seen more as pets. This means that the same rules don’t apply to them like service dogs and other animals, for example individually trained guide dogs.
They're not allowed to be taken into shops, restaurants, or other venues. Landlords can refuse them, and most airlines won’t allow them to be with their owners during flights. This is problematic as their owners rely on them for support and confidence when dealing with stressful situations.
America used to have better recognition of Emotional Support Animals, but in 2020 the US Department of Transportation revised their laws meaning that they no longer consider them as service animals.
Types of Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals don’t need to be trained to perform specific tasks, like a service/assistance animal, because it's their presence that alleviates symptoms. This means any animal of any age has the potential to bring about the same benefits.
Cats and dogs are the most popular and known Emotional Support Animals, but they’re not the only option. Rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents are other common choices. Horses, birds, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas also make excellent emotional support animals. But keep in mind they are not as transportable or suited to being kept inside the home!
Emotional Support Animals are being widely prescribed as part of a psychiatric service for people with a mental health disability. There are many mental health benefits of emotional support animals. Despite this, they haven’t received the recognition as service animals in the UK, and rules in the US have recently changed.
For many people with mental or emotional conditions, the presence of an Emotional Support Animal is critical to their ability to function normally. Without an Emotional Support Animal their quality of life is affected. For more information about the benefits of Emotional Support Animals, check out the following website: www.emotionalsupportanimals.org.uk.
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