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, [...]
In the wild, rabbits use their keen senses to evade prey and find food. Though they’re agile and speedy, they don’t have much in the way of defenses. They lack sharp claws and vicious teeth. What they do have are exceptional senses. They can smell, hear, and see things that humans can’t. This ability to [...]
Updated January 2021 In this article, we’ll review which airlines have programs to accept emotional support animals (ESAs). 2020 ended with major news for ESA owners: starting on January 11th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) would no longer require airlines to accommodate emotional support animals. In the years prior to this rule change, [...]
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in 54 children in America are diagnosed with autism. Most children are diagnosed with autism around four, though some are diagnosed as early as age 2. As these children grow up, transitioning from a school environment into adulthood can be challenging, as services for adults [...]
For many of us, 2020 has taken a heavy toll on mental health. The pandemic, which has isolated us like no other time in our lives, has highlighted the importance of intimate connections with others and accessible mental health services. Just when it was needed the most, the option to seek help from mental health [...]
On December 2nd, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it had finalized rules that will allow airlines to treat emotional support animals as ordinary pets. Passengers who own service dogs will still be able to board flights free of charge, as long as they complete newly adopted federal forms. These new rules will [...]
It's a general assumption that only a psychologist, counselor, or psychiatrist can write an emotional support animal (ESA) letter. The word “emotion” leads to the belief that only a healthcare professional who deals primarily with emotional and mental concerns can write a letter for an ESA. The truth is that a family doctor, also known [...]
"Live Large. Think Big." is Dallas's tourist slogan. Dallas, Texas is surrounded by 12 counties spanning over nearly 9,000 square miles, making it 4th larges metropolitan area in the USA. Unsurprisingly there is a lot to be explored and discovered. With an abundance of dog-friendly parks and attractions and the overall acceptance of pets in [...]
Any pet owner understands the feeling of warmth when a dog greets them at the end of a hard day. For some, however, that feeling is more than “pet love”—it's part of a healing process due to a mental or emotional disorder, in which case the pet could be defined as an emotional support animal [...]
Michigan is known for its cool cars and even cooler music (Motown!). Michigan also boasts pet-friendly outdoor activities galore. Surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Great Lakes, Michigan offers fantastic outdoor beach and lake activities. No other state can claim being bordered by 4 out of the 5 Great Lakes while owning many large [...]
Emotional Support Animal, Service Animal, or a Pet? Is a pet an emotional support animal? Although pets provide humans with companionship and affection, they are not emotional support animals (ESA). An emotional support animal is more than a pet because it serves a very therapeutic purpose, as identified by a healthcare professional, for people who [...]