Using Your Emotional Support Animal to Achieve Your Goals

Emotional support animals are not just your typical pets; they are pets prescribed by therapists to help with your overall well being. Unlike service animals, this type of pet does not require special training to be considered as an emotional support animal. As long as you are comfortable and can adequately care for it, any animal of your choice can be an emotional support animal. 

Thinking about legally making your pet an emotional support animal? Learn more about how emotional support animals can greatly benefit your everyday life.

Improve anxiety symptoms

Did you know that you can legally qualify for an emotional support animal if you are experiencing an anxiety disorder? An emotional support animal is just one of the many treatments available for a variety of anxiety disorders. Whether it's mild to severe anxiety, having an emotional support animal with you can help relieve the symptoms of this condition. Although pets can't talk like humans do, they can still be an emotional outlet for you to talk to without the fear of getting judged. Emotional support animals provide an immense amount of support by making you feel safe and comfortable. 

Overcome loneliness

Human beings are social animals. You are simply wired to connect and establish bonds with others to survive. Research has shown that loneliness is more than just a human condition, but is also considered a health issue that affects both the young and the elderly. Emotional support animals can help combat loneliness or the feeling of social isolation by providing unconditional love, companionship, and encouraging socialization. Social dog breeds like golden retrievers and beagles are great options if you're looking for affectionate pets that love interacting with humans.

Travel with your pet

Ever wanted to take your pet with you but you couldn’t because of strict airline regulations or outrageous pet fees? Well, if your pet qualifies as an emotional support animal, you don't have to travel alone again. Licensed therapists at https://therapetic.org/ state that under the Airline Carrier Access Act (ACAA), you will be allowed to travel with your pet if you've been diagnosed with a mental disability and have a traveling emotional support animal letter. The ACAA guarantees that you can travel with your pet in-cabin with no fees at all. This is a great deal for those who experience anxiety when flying or find traveling difficult in general as emotional support animals can help you stay calm and relaxed. 

Improve depression symptoms

Apart from the healthy companionship that emotional support animals offer, they also ease stress and alleviate symptoms of depression. Caring for your pet also promotes good mental health; have you ever had days where you just didn't want to get out of bed? When you have an emotional support animal to look after, it will encourage you to take responsibility and add some form of structure to your day. Emotional support animals are also sensitive to your emotions; they provide comfort when you're in distress, boost your mood, and regulate intense negative feelings. 

Keep your pet

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep a pet with you because of housing situations. It's even common for other people to give up their pets because of their building's no-pet rule or expensive pet fees. However, if you register your pet as an emotional support animal and secure a housing emotional support animal letter, you'll be protected by the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act allows you to rent or buy any residential space, including no-pet housing. You will also not be charged any pet rent or pet deposit fees. 

Increase your productivity

It has been proven in several studies that having an emotional support animal around can help reduce stress. Your pet uplifts your spirits and will encourage you to stay calm all throughout the day. When you are in a stress-free environment, you become more productive and motivated. Caring for an emotional support animal also prompts you to be more physically active as it requires you to play with them or take them out for a walk (if applicable). 

Emotional support animals don't necessarily have to be a cat or dog. As long as they do not pose a threat to other people and make you feel comfortable, any pet of your choice is qualified. However, it's best to discuss your needs and preferences with a licensed therapist first in order to select an emotional support animal that will help you better cope with your condition. In the long run, having an emotional support animal is a huge step in improving your emotional wellbeing, physical health, and quality of life.