 April 25, 2022 Show Animals provide a number of therapeutic benefits for people, from improving their moods to alleviating anxiety. You don’t, however, necessarily need to purchase a specially trained emotional support animal (ESA); you can train your dog to be an ESA and receive all of the same benefits. Making your dog an emotional support animal may actually be easier than most people think it is. Keep reading to learn what you need to do to make your dog an ESA. Learn What an Emotional Support Animal IsEmotional support animals are animals that provide comfort and support to people with emotional or mental needs and disabilities. An ESA can be any species of animal, but dogs are among the most common. According to federal law, these animals do not need to have any kind of specialized training. However, they must be well-behaved while in public and around other people. ESAs must be under the handler’s control at all times, too. Qualify for and Obtain an ESA LetterBecause there is no unique training for emotional support dogs, any pet with the right temperament can qualify as an emotional support animal. To get your current dog recognized as an emotional support animal, you will need to obtain an ESA letter. This is a letter from a mental health professional that states that your dog provides you with the support you need to lead a normal life. ESA letters must also be written on the mental health professional’s letterhead, have their signature, and be dated no later than a year from the ESA approval. National Service Animal Registry is the original and most trusted and referred online provider of ESA prescription letters in the United States, equipped with an extensive network of experienced licensed therapists across the nation who specialize in ESA assessments.Get an ESA Letter Train Your DogThough there is no special training for support dogs, you will need to make sure your dog behaves at all times. Your pups must be friendly and social toward people and other animals anytime you are in public. If your dog does not currently have these skills, it is a good idea to seek help from a professional dog trainer. They can help your dog to stop their inappropriate behavior like excessive barking, jumping on people, and being generally badly behaved. Take some time to find the best dog trainer in your area. Try to find one who has trained emotional support animals in the past and has a proven track record for success. For recommendations, talk to your vet, mental health professional, and other dog owners that you are friendly with. Register Your DogThough it is not a legal requirement, registering your dog as an emotional support animal can provide a few benefits. It adds legitimacy to your ESA, makes them look official, and helps to eliminate any confrontation that you may get when in public with your pet. Register an ESA dog to make life a little bit easier. To learn more about emotional support animals and to register your dog, contact us at the National Service Animal Registry.
Pets can be a source of immense comfort, but they can
be especially helpful for people with conditions like depression or epilepsy. If you have a qualifying condition, you can opt to register your furry friend as an emotional support animal (ESA). Emotional support animals are often dogs because dogs have been bred for centuries to connect with humans. Here's what you need to know about what qualifies you for an emotional support dog and their legal rights. Emotional support dogs aren't just pets. "The purpose of an emotional support dog is to help reduce the impairment related to a health or mental health condition," says Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LISW-S, a professor of social work at
the University of Toledo. But that doesn't mean your dog needs specific training. Emotional support dogs can help just by interacting or being with their owners, says Aubrey H. Fine, EdD, a licensed psychologist and professor
at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. According to Fine, an emotional support dog may be helpful because:
What is the difference between ESAs and service dogs?Emotional support dogs only need to provide comfort, whereas service dogs are trained to perform tangible tasks for their owner. For example, a service dog might help a blind person navigate the streets or seek help if their owner has a seizure. This requires the dog to undergo one to three years of training from a professional service dog trainer, says Brad Morris, MA, Director of Government Relations at Psychiatric Service Dog Partners. Unlike emotional support animals, service dogs "have access practically anywhere the general public is allowed, under various US federal and state laws," Morris says. What conditions qualify you to have an emotional support dog?The only requirement for ESAs is that you have a disability and the animal helps with your symptoms. The Fair Housing Act lists several mental health disorders that qualify as a disability, including:
Many physical health issues also qualify as a disability, including:
"As long as the emotional support animal significantly helps with the person's disability and a medical professional supports this, the particular condition doesn't matter," Morris says. How to register an emotional support dogThere is no central ESA registry or governing body. And despite what some websites may claim, ESA owners "don't need to pay money to an online site to register, certify, or purchase identification cards or vests for their ESAs," Hoy-Gerlach says. You also don't need an evaluation from an expert disability evaluator. These evaluations can be very costly and may not be worth it, Hoy-Gerlach says. Instead, your doctor or a mental health provider like a therapist can provide a letter verifying that you need an emotional support dog to reduce impairment from a disability. The letter will need to specify which disability you have and how the dog helps you. Once you have this letter, your dog is protected under the Fair Housing Act and you can send a copy to any landlord or housing provider. What makes a good emotional support dog?Dogs that are very connected or want to be around their owners tend to make good emotional support dogs, says Fine. Though any dog breed can be an emotional support animal, affectionate breeds like poodles, Labrador retrievers, or French bulldogs may be good options. When choosing a dog, you should focus on what qualities would help you with your disability. "A person who is seeking a quiet "couch potato" lap dog is looking for a very different animal than a person seeking a lively playful dog to help motivate them to go for long walks or runs," Hoy-Gerlach says. Calmer dog breeds like greyhounds, corgis, and Pomeranians may be a soothing presence for their owners, while energetic dachshunds and Yorkshire terriers may help get you moving. "Veterinarians, dog trainers, and humane society/animal shelter staff can be tremendously helpful in finding a good match for a given person," Hoy-Gerlach says. Insider's takeawayEmotional support dogs can play a valuable role in treating or helping their owners cope with a disability. ESAs don't have the same privileges as service dogs, but they are protected under housing discrimination laws. If you have a disability and you think your dog is acting as an emotional support animal, or you want to add an ESA to your treatment, talk to your doctor about your best option. Is CBD safe for dogs? Guidelines from vets about giving your dog CBD4 signs that your dog has fleas and how to get rid of them5 reasons why your dog is constantly scratching themselfDog trainers share step-by-step guides to teaching your dog 5 easy (and adorable) tricks Read the original article on Insider |
How to have your dog become an emotional support animal
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