Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the term ESA. But maybe you’ve been wondering, well, what the heck is this ESA thing that everyone’s going on about? We’re here to inform you all about what an ESA is, what they do and how one could help you to live your best life.
Emotional Support Animals: What Are They?
Emotional support animals, or ESAs as they’re known under the common abbreviation, are animals that provide emotional support to those that need it. These animals are used by owners for a variety of reasons. An emotional support animal can be any type of animal that provides emotional comfort to their owners, including dogs, cats and other species. ESAs do not require any special training, as they are a therapy animal, tasked with providing comfort to their owner which requires no specific skills.
Service Animal Vs ESAs: Is There a Difference?
There is often confusion around the difference between service animals and emotional support animals, so let’s get to the bottom of the differences between the two. Service animals are specially trained to assist with specific duties for their owners, in a variety of functions. Service animals are usually dogs or occasionally miniature horses. Some common types of service animals include: Guide dogs Hearing dogs Mobility Assistance dogs Diabetic Alert dogs Seizure Alert dogs Seizure Response dogs Psychiatric Service dogs Autism Support dogs Allergy Detection dogs These dogs are specifically trained in duties to help their owners, a process which can take months of intensive practice and cost thousands of dollars. Emotional support animals, on the other hand, do not require any sort of special training at all. This means that they are a more accessible option for those that require generalized emotional support rather than a specifically trained helper. ESAs can be a new pet or an existing pet. While they do not require special training, ESAs must be well-trained animals in general, due to the amount of time they spend in unfamiliar situations and around strangers.
What are ESAs for?
Emotional support animals are used for those that need a supportive presence in their lives. This includes those going through a difficult time in their lives, or even those suffering from a mental illness. ESAs are a popular therapy aid for those experiencing mental illness, including anxiety and depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, to name a few.
Who are ESAs for?
Emotional support animals are useful for people that are experiencing mental illness or emotional problems. They can also be employed to comfort those who are going through a period of intense grief.
Mental Health and ESAs
Those experiencing mental illness, or even a difficult period in life, can benefit greatly from the presence of an ESA. The consistent emotional presence that emotional support animals are able to provide can help to stabilize emotions, make daily tasks easier to manage and provide a sense of companionship for those that are isolated. The Science Behind Using Emotional Support Animals Although emotional support animals aren’t trained in specific tasks, they can improve a person’s symptoms and moods dramatically. We’ve always known interacting with animals is good for us, but the science behind why is pretty incredible. When we pet or play with pets, our brains release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine. Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the ‘love’ hormone, as makes us feel bonded and connected with others. Dopamine, the other chemical stimulated by pets, is a reward hormone that causes us to feel pleasure. For someone whose brain chemistry is functioning abnormally, ESAs can help to bring things back into balance.
ESAs As Companions
One important function that ESAs often provide is companionship. Those with a legitimate ESA are able to have their pet accompany them in certain places where a regular pet cannot. This can help those with anxiety around flying, traumatic experiences related to crowds and even those fearful of living alone due to traumatic events. Another way that ESAs can help as companions is encouraging social activity and normal routine behavior. For example, the presence of a dog can be a huge help in breaking the ice and providing a point of conversation with others for someone with social anxiety.
How Are ESAs ‘Prescribed’?
Emotional support animals are gaining ground as a favored therapeutic option for those experiencing a range of psychological conditions. Generally, therapists prescribe ESAs as part of a treatment plan that involves other therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness based therapy. These therapies help the patient to manage or resolve their mental health issues and an emotional support animal helps to provide companionship, routine and emotional stability to the patient. To allow the ESA to accompany the patient in most areas, a therapist will provide an ESA letter.
The Process of Getting an ESA
If this article has left you thinking that you or someone you know might benefit from the wonderful presence of an emotional support animal, the good news is that getting one is simple. Before purchasing a new animal, speak to the mental health professional that is treating you or the patient about whether an ESA would be beneficial. ESAs can be any type of animal, so it’s possible to choose anything from a pedigree puppy to a rescue tabby cat to be a support animal. Once you have chosen a pet, your therapist can draw up an emotional support animal letter which will assist you in being able to have your ESA with you wherever you need it. Emotional support animals have grown in popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. With the impressive effect that they can have on the lives of those that need emotional support, they are an invaluable resource to have. Next time you fly next to a dog (see how much does it cost to fly a dog on delta), know that the pooch is doing a valuable service to your fellow passenger and ensure that you are kind!