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, [...]
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 [...]
What dog wouldn't want to live somewhere called the “Garden State”? New Jersey, with its cities and suburbs, is an excellent place for furry friends. Most of New Jersey has an easygoing and pet-friendly atmosphere. The Garden State is an ideal place to watch the seasons change with your pet or ESA. What is an ESA? [...]
Forget the term "bird-brained," birds are anything but. Birds are intelligent creatures and make great companions. They can be trained to do tricks, respond to their name, and bond with their owners. Besides, birds are the only animals that can reproduce human speech and mimic other sounds. Although they may not be the first animal [...]
What’s better than being able to carry a pet in your purse? Being able to carry your pet in your pocket! Rodents are often called "pocket pets" because they’re cute enough to be companions but small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Soft and adorable, rodents make up about 40% of the mammal population [...]