We all have our down days, but some people have them more often than others. There are also those who are perpetually depressed or anxious. Many treatments are available for various anxiety disorders ranging from prescription medication to ongoing therapy, or a combination of these. One such treatment is the use of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to help anxious individuals to relax and overcome their anxiety. In order to understand how an ESA can help those with anxiety disorders, we first need to know what an ESA is.
If you experience anxiety and are ready to work with a licensed mental health professional for an ESA Letter, complete the form in the link below to certify your pet as an emotional support animal. 
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
While pets as companions have been popular for hundreds, if not thousands of years, an Emotional Support Animal is a fairly new concept.
An emotional support animal is a pet that has been ‘prescribed’ by a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist to a patient as part of their plan towards wellness.
The aim is to provide comfort to the patient, and something positive for them to focus on. The overall goal is that the animal will provide emotional support for patients during times of need, when they may not have any nearby friends or family to rely on.
Can Any Animal be an Emotional Support Animal?
Almost any animal can be prescribed to provide an individual with a psychological disability.
The best way to look at it is, if it would be kept as a pet, it can also be used as an ESA. Naturally, a wild animal such as a polar bear definitely wouldn’t be suitable, but any domesticated animal such as the most typical options like cats and dogs, down to spiders and snakes can be used – whatever the individual being treated is comfortable with and can adequately care for. As long as the animal contributes towards the individual’s wellbeing, there are no real restrictions as to the type of animal to be used.
Unlike Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals do not require any special training or certification – their job is purely to provide emotional support, rather than physical assistance to the owner.
How to Legally Make My Pet an Emotional Support Animal
To legally make your pet an emotional support animal, a therapist must recommend an ESA for your mental illness.
According to the NIMH, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a mental illness – including anxiety. A licensed therapist must write you an ESA letter recommending an emotional support animal for your condition.
You are not required to register your ESA on any registration site or purchase a emotional support animal vest for your pet. As long as your therapist recommends an emotional support animal for your wellbeing along with a letter, your pet can qualify as an emotional support animal.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?
Emotional Support Animals for Anxiety
In much the same way that care providers and home-visit nurses care for the elderly and disabled in their own homes or in nursing homes, Emotional Support Animals are prescribed to help the psychologically disabled to overcome or cope better with their disability. While Service Animals are there to assist those with physical disabilities such as leading a blind or partially sighted person, or pulling a wheelchair-bound person along, an Emotional Support Animal does exactly as the name suggests – it provides emotional support to its owner.
As many individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder often report loneliness as a significant contributing factor towards their anxiety, simply having a pet around can stave off the feeling of being lonely. By having an Emotional Support Animal, the symptoms of anxiety can be greatly relieved as the individual will never be truly alone.
How Can an Emotional Support Animal Help with My Anxiety?
Emotional Support Animals can aid the anxiety sufferer by giving them an emotional outlet. Although animals cannot speak or even begin to comprehend what the patient is going through, they provide the sufferer someone to talk to when nobody else is around. What makes this even more ideal is that the ESA will not judge the individual, where an actual person may judge or attempt to offer unwanted advice.
In addition to providing someone to talk to, Emotional Support Animals can ward off feelings of anxiety through the provision of affection. Physical touch can help anxiety through creating a bond between the person and the animal. What better way to feel better than cuddling up with your dog (or rat, if that’s your thing!)?
As all animals require their own care and attention, having an Emotional Support Animal can improve the symptoms of anxiety. By simply providing a distraction for the owner, an ESA can ward off the symptoms as they begin. If an individual is spending time grooming, feeding, walking and playing with their ESA, they are focusing more on the animal rather than the cause of their anxiety, which over time can contribute to a steadier, more positive outlook on their life.
Emotional Support Animals are a great way to help with your anxiety!
Because animals can provide an enormous amount of emotional support through a variety of ways, having an ESA is a fantastic way to help you with your anxiety. Although simply having an Emotional Support Animal isn’t guaranteed to cure you of your anxiety on its own, it’s definitely a great addition to your mental health improvement plan.
Start the ESA questionnaire to see if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal.
Get the Love and Support you deserve.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only.
My question is regarding an ESA in a house that you own yourself in a town with an ordinance against that particular animal. Can a town make you move or get rid of your ESA if there is a city ordinance against that animal? It’s so difficult to sell a home and move within 30 days!
This is a bit of a tricky issue, you may find this link helpful: https://www.animallaw.info/article/faqs-emotional-support-animals#s19
How do you ask a doctor for a prescription without sounding like you just want free pet rent?. How do you bring up the matter to your new psychologist?
To clarify, an ESA recommendation is not a “prescription”, and therapists are usually the ones that issue them, not physicians. You shouldn’t be afraid to have an open and honest conversation about your mental health needs with a licensed professional. Many ESA owners have a fear that people will think they are just faking their need for an ESA to avoid fees or rules. That is an unfortunate result of the stigma surrounding ESAs and mental health issues. If you are looking for a licensed professional that is familiar with ESAs and understanding about mental health issues, we can help you get started here: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/
How do I ask my doctor for a prescription for 2 EsA’s without sounding like I gust don’t want to pay dog rent. I believe I have anxiety. I have one small dog I am already paying for at my apartment but she only comforts me when I feel alone and sad. My other dog is bigger and she makes me feel safe at night. I’m very parinoid at night alone and I need her but she is too big for the regular apartment.
It’s always a good idea to be open and honest about your mental health needs. Your doctor will make their own assessment and determine whether an ESA recommendation is right for you.
Can you have 2 ESAs? For example, 2 cats? And are you able to bring them to college for when i live on campus?
Yes, you are allowed to have more than 1 ESA as long as each ESA is covered by a recommendation from a licensed professional. Most colleges have policies regarding assistance animals, it’s best to check to see what your school’s specific policy is. Generally though, ESAs are not allowed on campus without restriction. They are often however allowed in campus housing.
I’ve been considering getting a pet for this but need to figure out what would be best. I have a cat, not suitable for the role, and she will not allow a new cat in. I also have a dog that’s not suitable either and does not do well with other dogs, cats, birds or reptiles entering her home. I had a dog who was perfect and she knew when I was getting upset and comforted me but she passed away which is why I’m considering a new one. I don’t have a question, I just wanted to thank you for this article and speak about Dixie, I miss her so!