A Quick Insight on Emotional Support Animals

With the trend of holistic alternatives, people are looking for healthier ways to boost their physical and mental states. Holistic medicine is a form of healing that takes into consideration the body, mind, spirit, and emotions in search of optimal health and wellness. Through this practice, emotional support animals have found their spot in holistic practices by providing comfort to people who suffer from the many existing mental disorders.

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are pets that provide emotional support and comfort to their owners on a daily basis. Unlike a service dog, an emotional support animal does not need specialized training to handle a task. Furthermore, emotional support animals come in different breeds and are not just limited to dogs. Individuals with disabilities may use service animals and emotional support animals for a variety of reasons. Here, we offer an overview of these animals and how people might benefit from them. Many states have laws that provide a different definition of these animals which protect owners from certain discriminations. For this reason, everyone should check on state laws and how they might condition the ownership of them.

ESAs must be legally prescribed by a licensed mental health professional like a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Thanks to the wave of telehealth services, there are online platforms that could help people that are looking for this type of therapy. After a pre-screening test from the comfort of your home, you could get in less than 24 hours an ESA letter.

When it comes to the science behind it, an ESA can boost the chemical hormones in our bodies producing oxytocin, also known as the cuddle hormone. Technically speaking, the secretion depends on the electrical activity of neurons in the hypothalamus a gland located in the back of our brain– it is released into the blood when these cells are triggered. This is why you might get an exciting, or wholesome feeling when petting your fur baby after a long day out.

Thousands of mental health patients have had success stories with their emotional support animals. Many claim ESAs have changed their depression patterns, or that they feel less lonely. These pets can really turn around moods and emotions. Imagine owning a pet, that alone requires a lot of responsibility and a certain degree of attention. This alone might change a person's typical routine. By providing care and ultimately affection, these animals might become the ultimate distraction from tormenting thoughts.

Thanks to the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) people have had the opportunity to keep their pets in public places and through housing processes. These laws establish that landlords or public facilities cannot discriminate against a person with an emotional support animal. People with an emotional support animal may request a reasonable accommodation such as a waiver of no pets policy due to the animal being an emotional support animal under both the FHAA and Section 504.

Additionally, there are many airlines that offer flexible accommodations in the cabin with ESAs.

Understanding your legal rights regarding your ESA will help you speak up about your right to live with your pet in no-pet housing with no fee. You'll also get to fly with your ESA in the cabin of an aircraft without being charged a pet fee.

When it comes to flying with your ESA, it is always important to keep track of your letter. All ESA letters must be up to date, and taking the documentation onboard is usually required. Before traveling make sure to review the rules which might differ in between airlines. For more information on airlines and ESAs check out this link.