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, [...]
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 [...]
According to the CDC’s latest data, 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Of these children, boys are four times more likely to be autistic than girls. Autistic children may experience other conditions related to autism. For instance, 28% of 8-year-olds with autism show self-injurious behaviors. Additionally, about 30–60% of autistic [...]
In the world of assistance animals, emotional support animals (ESA) are frequently mixed up with psychiatric service dogs (PSD). Both ESAs and PSDs are used by their owners to help with similar types of mental and emotional illnesses and learning disabilities. However, that’s generally where the similarities end. There are key differences between them, including [...]
Whether or not you realize it, you have your own way of showing and feeling love. There are a total of five "love languages" that most people are grouped into, with each category housing a different style preference for expressing and understanding love and affection. For example, you might feel most loved when someone spends [...]
A PSD letter is a signed letter from a licensed healthcare professional that helps someone establish whether they have a qualifying disability for purposes of owning a psychiatric service dog. Owners of psychiatric service dogs have special legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), and Air Carrier Access Act [...]