Research has shown that dog ownership has positive effects on our physical health as well as on our mental emotional well-being. Not only do dogs bring joy and purpose into our lives, spending time with dogs can decrease blood pressure and lower heart rates. They help us cope with trying times, decrease feelings of loneliness and social isolation and studies have shown that dogs help improve mood in people with depression. Additionally, walking with a dog increases the level of physical activity and helps people interact and connect with other dog owners.
Imagine being able to have your dog sit with you in the cabin during a flight, without paying an extra fee for the dog. Imagine being able to take your dog into a hotel or live with you in pet free housing. This could become reality if you qualify.
Emotional support animals provide therapeutic benefits to their owner through affection and companionship.
In order to bring your ESA with you in the plane or into pet free housing, a formal letter from a therapist and an official ESA registration is required. I offer Emotional support animal evaluations to find out if you qualify. This will be done in a therapy session and I will ask you to fill out some questionnaires. I will then explain to you the process to obtain the registration. If indicated, the ESA can become a part of your treatment plan and you will receive a letter to show proof to the airline or building management. Most airlines now also require a reasonable accommodation form to be filled out by your therapist just before you are flying. If you are qualified, I can accommodate any specific airline request. I recommend an ESA most commonly for mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety disorders, or depression but there are other mental and emotional conditions that may benefit from the comfort of an emotional support dog.
Please note that an emotional support animal is NOT a service dog, which is specifically trained to perform a task to help someone with a disability (for example a seeing eye dog). Unlike a service dog, an emotional support animal does not need specialized training. However obedience training is recommended, especially if you plan to fly with your dog.
