An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is more than a pet. The ESA is part of the treatment for individuals suffering from a psychological or mental illness, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD. They provide comfort and support to their handlers in times of need. The most common type of ESA is an Emotional Support Dog, [...]
Download the DOT Form - Service Animal Health Behavior Training Form (pdf) here. If you want to board a flight with your psychiatric service dog or service dog, this article will explain the one document you need for all airlines. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation completely updated its rules for assistance animals on [...]
Service dog owners are granted many legal rights in the United States. They are allowed in places many pets normally can’t go, including the cabin of airplanes free of charge. When most people think of service dogs, they picture dogs that help people with physical disabilities like visual impairment or mobility issues. Service dogs, however, [...]
According to Mental Health America, a psychiatric service dog (PSD) is a trained service animal that assists people diagnosed with a mental illness. There’s no specific mental illness that qualifies a person for a psychiatric service dog; what’s more important is what tasks the psychiatric service dog can do for the person they serve. This article [...]
You can feel the history in Virginia. It’s the “birthplace of a nation” and the site of Jamestown, one of the original 13 Colonies of the United States. Virginia is known for the Chesapeake Bay and the gorgeous Appalachian mountains. The history and romance of Virginia are what makes it the perfect place for lovers... [...]
Pet fish may not be the first thing you think of as a treatment for depression. After all, fish don’t communicate—at least not in the traditional sense—and they’re not the cuddliest of animals. Fish, however, may be most underrated. They do much more than swim and eat. It turns out that they’re great emotional support [...]
Very often, whether or not we are aware, our emotions influence the choices we make. Substance use disorders (SUD) are a great example of the link between emotions and chosen behaviors. Statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicate that only 2% of the general population who do not have a [...]
When you have an emotional support animal (ESA) and the right documentation, you are protected by certain rights under Federal law when it comes to housing. The Fair Housing Act and guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Housing (HUD) ensure that ESA owners are not unfairly discriminated against due to their need for an [...]
Most people don’t decide to ask for an emotional support animal (ESA) without giving it a lot of thought. Typically, a person with a mental or emotional disability finds themselves needing the unconditional companionship and affection of an animal. They then decide to inquire with their healthcare professional about an ESA. If the LMHP agrees [...]
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), human-animal bonds are essential to human health. This bond even applies to aquatic creatures, like fish. After dogs and cats, the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey discovered that fish are the third leading types of pets in American households. It's easy to see why a furry lapdog [...]
Although service animals have a unique bond with their owners, they might not provide the same closeness as an emotional support animal provides. The deep relationship between an animal and a human can’t be forced, after all. Sometimes, a service animal that is focused on performing tasks may not have the close tie that other [...]