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Registering Your Pet As An Emotional Support Animal: The Hows And Whys

In today’s society, many people suffer from mental illnesses that aren’t well understood in the community.

Mental illness ranges from depression to anxiety and a number of other issues that can affect a person’s livelihood, relationships, and self-esteem.

One way that these people have found relief is through an emotional support animal.

An emotional support animal is a companion pet that provides therapeutic benefits for its owner.

In order to qualify for this type of help, the patient must be diagnosed with a mental disability by a treating physician licensed in their state or territory. 

Read on for some helpful tips and information on how to register your pet as an emotional support animal- the hows and whys of this process.

Registering Your Pet As An Emotional Support Animal: The Hows And Whys

What is required in order to register your pet as an ESA?

The law can be confusing at times, however, there are actually only two requirements in order to register your pet as an ESA.

The first is that you must have a letter or prescription from a licensed mental health professional stating that they believe the presence of an emotional support animal would benefit your lifestyle.

Once you have been deemed eligible, you will need to go through the process of registering your pet as an emotional support animal for it to obtain public access rights of emotional support animals.

It would be useful to carry the letter with you in case someone asks for it.

The second requirement is that you will need to provide this documentation at check-in each time you enter into a new residence, hotel, airplane, train, or other shared space with your pet.

The letter should also include contact information for your physician so that they may be reached to verify the authenticity of your request.

What are the benefits of registering my pet as an ESA?

Once you have successfully registered your pet as an emotional support animal, you will enjoy a number of benefits.

For instance, your pet will be allowed to live in a “no-pets” building and you should not receive any breaking fees or other penalties for having your emotional support animal reside with you. 

Benefits For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder 

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often find that having an emotional support animal around can help them to relax and cope better in social or public settings.

Having a trusted pet nearby is something many people with ASD take advantage of, as they are among the most loyal companions you can have. 

Benefits For People With Psychiatric Disorders

Individuals who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disability may find that having an emotional support animal by their side can help alleviate common symptoms.

This is because these animals are loyal and will often provide a soothing feel to the owner, helping them to relax.

For example, people with depression often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation- this is thought to be a trigger for low moods and times of depression.

If you have a pet, however, it will often be there to greet you when you return home from a long day at work or school, giving a sense of companionship that is unparalleled by any other type of animal.

This unconditional love can help lift your mood and improve your self-esteem, helping you to manage symptoms of depression.

This is why many mental health professionals recommend pet ownership for people with depression or other psychological issues.

Benefits For Veterans With PTSD

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder often have a very difficult time readjusting to life once they return from war.

This is because the symptoms of PTSD can be truly debilitating and it can be hard for veterans to cope with everyday activities or social situations once their tour of duty has concluded.

Fortunately, emotional support animals have been proven to be an effective treatment for PTSD.

This is because having an animal by their side can help veterans to relax and take their mind off traumatic memories- particularly when they are in public places that may trigger bad memories.

How To Choose The Right Dog 

Each and every dog is unique.

While one breed of dog may be more highly associated with providing emotional support, this does not necessarily mean that it would be a good fit for you or your family.

In order to ensure that the pet you choose will provide the greatest therapeutic value, there are certain factors you should consider when searching for an animal.

For instance, if you are looking for a larger dog that will provide more emotional support, you may wish to consider getting an American Staffordshire Terrier.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a smaller breed of dog that will fit easily into your apartment or condo, then perhaps a Chihuahua might be the best bet. 

Registering Your Pet As An Emotional Support Animal: The Hows And Whys

The dog’s breed isn’t as important as its temperament.

If you are looking for a more exotic breed of dog, you may want to consider an American Eskimo Dog or Poodle mix- these dogs are both very loving and be very friendly with their owners.

Remember, all dogs have the capability to be emotional support animals but it’s important that they seem eager to meet new people, don’t mind being handled by strangers, and can behave calmly around other animals. 

How To Register Your Dog As An Emotional Support Animal

In order to register your dog as an emotional support animal, you will need to have a letter from a licensed mental health professional that states the fact that you are their patient and that they believe your pet is able to provide emotional support.

The next thing you need to do is make sure that your dog is vaccinated for rabies.

Finally, you will need to register your dog as an emotional support animal with your state government.

Some states charge a small registration fee, while others do not.

There are many benefits of having an emotional support animal.

An emotional support animal can help ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues by providing companionship and unconditional love.

They are also very therapeutic for veterans who have PTSD or struggle with social situations.

After reading this article it should be clear to you why owning an emotional support animal is a rewarding experience.

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