Emotional Support Animal

The dogs specifically prescribed by a mental health practitioner as part of the treatment plan to heal mental or emotional illness in patients are called Emotional Support Dogs.

Emotional Support Dogs are the dogs that alleviate symptoms of patients’ emotional or mental illness with their support and companionship.

However, they are not trained, unlike Service animals, but have the natural ability to provide therapeutic benefits to heal emotional or mental disabilities in humans.

Emotional Support Animal

Emotional Support Animals are very beneficial for individuals with emotional or psychiatric disabilities. An emotional support animal is an animal that provides relief to individuals with “psychiatric disability through companionship.”

Benefits of Emotional Support Animals

1. An ESA can be your promising friend who will always be there for you.
2. Keeping a pet in the house, taking care of it, preparing meals for it, bathing it, etc., makes you more responsible and accountable
3. Love and care you give to your ESA, they will provide to you a lot more than that.
4. Being surrounded by your ESA will give you courage in these challenging times and support you to heal quickly.
5. Along with Anxiety, stress, trauma, and depression, an emotional support animal can also alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders like Phobias, Panic attacks, Eating disorders, etc.
6. Childhood Traumas due to sudden incidents or years of abuse are most challenging to overcome, but an ESA can help you with this too.

How many emotional support animals can you have in an apartment?

As a result, there are no restrictions on the number of emotional support animals permitted in apartments. You can have as many ESAs (emotional support animals) as you want, as long as you meet the following requirements:

• You have an ESA letter for your ESAs
• You have enough space and finances to pet your desired number of emotional support animals.
• Your request for reasonable accommodation is reasonable.

As a result, the landlord cannot prevent you from having more than one emotional support animal. However, as previously stated, your request should be reasonable. Keeping seven dogs in a one-room rental apartment, for example, would be completely impractical, and the landlord will almost certainly deny your request in that case.

What makes an emotional support animal?

Almost any animal, regardless of breed, size, or weight, can qualify as an ESA, and no special training is required. As a result, if you meet the conditions listed below, you can qualify your pet as an ESA.

Condition-1: You Should have a Qualifying Condition

Here is the list of some of the disabilities mentioned in DSM-V;

• ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder
• Substance-related disorders (alcohol, drugs
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic Attacks
• OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Sexual disorder
• Developmental coordination disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Phobias
• PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Learning Disorders
• Personality Disorders

Autism and many more.

Condition-2:

The animal you choose as an assistance animal must provide you comfort and support to cure your mental or emotional illness.

It doesn’t need to be some unique animal. You can get any pet from a local pet store, adopt a street dog/cat, or get one from a family member or friend.

Choose any animal type or breed. Dog, cat, rat, squirrel, peacock, goldfish, or any other animal you believe can assist you with your mental or emotional problems.

If you obtain an Emotional Support Animal letter from a licenced health professional, you can make any pet your Emotional Support Animal.

Simple 3 Step Process For Your ESA Evaluation

1. Fill-up and Submit ESA Evaluation Form Online.

2. Get Evaluated by a Licensed Professional.

3. Get Approved, and Receive Your ESA Letter Instantly via E-mail.

Want to Get Your Pet Certified?