Why ESA's Are an Important Option (For Those Struggling with Mental Health)

Emotional support animals improve the mental health and well being of those with common mental health issues like anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD. An ESA makes it easier to cope with the symptoms of these mental disabilities by providing comfort and support.  Emotional support animals are allowed to live in housing that does not permit pets and fly with their owners in the cabin of the aircraft when flying.  ESAs are an important option for those struggling with qualifying mental health conditions.

What Is an ESA?

ESA is an emotional support animal that provides therapeutic benefit to someone qualified and diagnosed the mental disability. To get the ESA,  you need only a letter from a licensed mental health professional. They use ESA letter for housing and travel. People with emotional support animals are allowed to have it in housing that does not allow pets.  The landlords cannot discriminate and deny housing or charge a pet fee or pet deposit.  Emotional support animals can also fly with their owners in the air cabin, either sitting on their lap or sitting on the floor in the space in front of the seat. There is no pet fee for an ESA in air travel.

What Does an ESA Do? 

Emotional support animals provide support and comfort to their owners.  Pets are essential for mental health. Scientists studied and proved that a pet provides a therapeutic benefit. It increases happiness and self-esteem, reducing feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. Any animal can become an emotional support animal.  You must already have a pet and be able to explain how it helps you cope with your diagnosed mental disability before it can become an emotional support animal. 

ESA vs. Service Dog: What's the Difference

Emotional support animals are often confused with service animals. ESAs can be any animal, while only dogs and miniature horses can become legal service animals. There is no training other than basic obedience required for emotional support animals, unlike service animals.  Service animals undergo training and attain certifications to be considered a service animal.  There are organizations and nonprofits dedicated to training these animals and providing them to the disabled.  Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for those with a physical or psychiatric disability like a seeing-eye dog or a diabetic alert dog.  Service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in some places open to the general public, even if they do not permit animals.

Emotional support animals are an excellent tool for those struggling with common mental health issues.  Any animal can become an emotional support animal.  If you have a diagnosed mental disability (or think you may have an undiagnosed one), your pet may be eligible to become an emotional support animal.  All you need is a letter from a licensed mental health professional. If you are being treated by a psychologist or doctor already, you can talk with them about making your pet an ESA.  Emotional support animals are allowed to live in housing that does not allow pets without a pet fee or pet deposit and can travel with their owners without a pet fee in the cabin of an aircraft.