Skip to content
Everything You Need to Know About Emotional Support Animals

Everything You Need to Know About Emotional Support Animals

Have you ever heard about Emotional Support Animals? If not, they are usually dogs, which can offer comfort and support to people dealing with different types of mental health conditions. Due to these factors, these furry creatures have gained the votes of many families, making a positive impact in their lives.

Furthermore, these dogs are exclusively trained to look after a particular slot, and they offer a variety of benefits as well. These are in the form of decreasing anxiety and depression, improving interaction at social events, and reducing the torture these individuals are compelled to go through.

Did the concept of Emotional Support Animals excite you so much that you wouldn’t mind learning more about it? That sounds excellent, as this blog will provide you with the necessary information regarding these support animals, how they work, housing rights, legal rights of ESA owners, tips on choosing the correct dog, travelling with them, and some common misconceptions.

Woman hugging dog

(Source)

An In-Depth Understanding Of Emotional Support Dogs 

As mentioned in the introduction as well, these dogs are specially trained to offer comfort to mentally challenged individuals. They are in no way like service dogs, who are trained to perform some particular tasks. But, the presence of these special dogs does wonders in lessening the signs of mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. 

Then, the Help Guide Organisation says that dogs such as golden retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Pugs, and Shih Tzus are considered the top six Emotional Support Animals. 

The Staywell Occupational Health reveals that within the law of the UK, Emotional Support Dogs are not recognised as assistance dogs, but people using animals to help treat their disabilities is becoming popular. 

Equality Human Rights reveals that the Equality Act 2010 does not include a specific clause for Emotional Support Animals. However, service providers must make proper and reasonable adjustments for differently abled individuals. This largely depends on the particular circumstances and facts in each case, so they should give the same access to an ESA owned by an individual with mental health conditions. Therefore, service providers are required to revise their policies and promote a more inclusive environment based on different circumstances. 

How do Emotional Support Dogs Work?

Since we are telling you everything you need to know about emotional support dogs, let us also make you aware of how they work. These dogs play a crucial role in helping individuals with mental health conditions. However, the exact mechanisms that permit them to work in such a therapeutic way are still unknown. But these are some of the proposed theories to give you some clarity regarding their working mannerism:

Social Interaction and Companionship

It sounds sad, but people suffering from mental health conditions don't have many people to interact with, and that is why Emotional Support Animals enter to offer social interaction and companionship in the following ways:

Reducing Loneliness

Emotional Support Dogs are great for reducing loneliness. They provide the necessary companionship to these people, who prefer to stay isolated due to their anxiety and depression. 

Enhanced Social Skills

Dogs prove to be excellent social skill improvers, especially for people dealing with social anxiety or other similar social challenges. Hence, after consistently interacting with a dog, these people became more confident about socialising and communicating, as if they were habitual in doing so. 

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

The Emotional Support Dogs guarantee stress reduction and relaxation in people struggling day and night with depression and anxiety in the following ways: 

Lowers Stress Hormone 

When you pet a dog, you tend to release oxytocin. This hormone is linked with relaxation and bonding. Therefore, when people suffering from PTSD, depression, or anxiety do the same, that results in reducing their level of stress. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, research has shown that petting a dog helps decrease cortisol, the hormone of stress. At the same time, the social interaction between dogs and their owners elevates the levels of oxytocin, which is classified as a hormone for feeling good. This is the same hormone that strengthens the bond between mothers and their babies. 

Calming Presence

These individuals become happy with the arrival of Emotional Support Animals as these dogs tend to carry a calming presence or aura, which instantly soothes them. It extracts anxiety and promotes relaxation. Therefore, if you ever interact with a person dealing with depression or anxiety, just see how their behaviour changes in the presence of these wagging tails. 

Distracts From Negativity 

The minds of people struggling with anxiety, bipolar disorders, or depression are often conquered by negative thoughts and stress that nobody prefers talking to them or taking their opinions seriously. Hence, an ESA casts a magical spell on them and fills their life with goodness as it distracts them from negative thinking or getting worried over minor issues. 

woman cuddling cute dog

(Source)

Routine and Structure

People dealing with anxiety or depression often keep themselves aloof from the rest of the world and stop taking an interest in anything, so ESA gives their life a structure and routine in the following ways: 

Sense of Purpose

Having an Emotional Support Animal as a dog offers a sense of purpose and meaning in the lives of people suffering from mental health conditions. These dogs tend to be with them around the clock, proving to be the best companion they could have ever wished for. Plus, these dogs offer the same degree of comfort to individuals who assume they have no goals, so people distance themselves. So, ESA successfully rescues them, changing their mindset that they are not lacking in life and that someone is waiting for them at home. 

Activity Increases

Such people hardly get out of their rooms, fearing that something might trigger their behaviour and as a result, they don’t follow any type of physical activity. So, an Emotional Support Animal saves them by encouraging them to go beyond their four walls. In this way, they end up in parks or even in their gardens, where they play with these furry members, resulting in improved mood and overall well-being. According to Recovered, having an Emotional Support Animal can encourage people living with mental health conditions to spend more time outdoors, inhaling fresh air, exercising, and playing with them. Leaving them motivated and physically fit as well.

Unconditional Love and Support

Dogs have always been famous and appreciated for offering unconditional love and support. And in the cases of such individuals, they fulfil the purpose in the following ways: 

Emotional Support

Dogs provide great emotional support and are always there for individuals who don’t prefer communicating with their other family members or even their friends. Why? Because they fear that any word or statement out of their mouth may go against them or that the person they are addressing may get offended. Therefore, with an Emotional Support dog, they feel very comfortable and talk to them, knowing that their companion will not misunderstand them and always encourage them to grow more. If possible, you should try sitting with a person dealing with mental conditions and see how they express their feelings to that dog, which will seem as if they are talking to a proper human being. Such is the charm of the dog’s support and love. 

Self-Esteem Improves

Every individual seeks self-esteem motivation but usually receives disappointments, and others mock them for fun, but they feel hurt and consider themselves to be good for nothing. But, things take a 360 shift when Emotional Support Dogs take the lead in their life. The dog barks or wags its tail as a sign of congratulating the individual’s achievement, regardless of the small or big milestone. Watching their happiness, the particular person starts feeling that they can achieve anything and becomes confident in grabbing difficult tasks as well. All credits go to none other than Emotional Support dogs, who do not belittle them. 

What Qualifications Does An Individual Need To Get An Emotional Support Animal?

An individual needs to go through a proper and legal procedure to get access to an Emotional Support Animal, as it is a serious matter. Therefore, the following has to be done:

Must Have A Valid Mental Condition

First of all, that particular person must have a valid mental condition that tends to relax when the dog comes in. 

A Professional Mental Health Worker Has To Confirm 

Then, they need to get themselves checked by a professional mental health worker, who also carries an authentic license. If the person is proven to have depression, anxiety or bipolar disorders, then medical personnel should give them a letter mentioning that this person does need an Emotional Support Animal. 

The Disabilities Act 

Such individuals need to remember the Disabilities Act. This official document protects people suffering from anxiety, depression, or other similar issues from having to move into a separate house with their Emotional Support Animal and take flights, but only under certain conditions. Otherwise, if the person does not carry the official paper, they will not be permitted to keep that ESA with them.

Dog and human holding hands

(Source)

What Are The Legal Rights Of Emotional Support Animal Owners In the UK?

In the United Kingdom, the legal rights of Emotional Support Animals are not recognized like service or assistant dogs. The country does acknowledge that these dogs help individuals suffering from mental health conditions, but they still have limited rights in the following ways: 

Limited Legal Recognition

There is no specific legislation or clause defining the rights of Emotional Support Animals. Under the law of the UK, they are merely normal dogs, not like service or assistant dogs.

Protection From Discrimination

UK’s Law consists of the Equality Act 2010, which offers protection to individuals dealing with multiple disabilities, that they should not be discriminated against in any way. However, there is no particular mention of Emotional Support Animals. 

Housing Rights

When seeking houses to live in as a tenant, such individuals gain the following housing rights:

Reasonable Adjustments

Upon knowing that the person expecting to move in suffers from anxiety or depression and will bring their Emotional Support Animal as well, then the landlord can be required to make reasonable adjustments for both to settle. The arrangements should be in a way that makes living smooth and not a hassle. 

Tenancy Agreements

Before signing the tenancy agreement, these particular people are suggested to read through the rules of living. Why? Some landlords might have policies going against Emotional Support ownership, compelling them to reconsider shifting into that house, where their ESA dog will not be allowed. 

Case Difference 

In some cases, the landowner allows the use of an Emotional Support Animal, while others don’t. It largely depends on the severity and circumstances of the individual’s mental health condition and how open the landlord’s mindset is to the theory of ESA. Therefore, these things can also matter. 

Public Access Rights

In public, too, Emotional Support Animals don't get similar rights to assistance dogs in the following ways:

Limited Access

Unfortunately, Emotional Support Animals are not given the same respect as assistance dogs. Therefore, when the individual goes out with their Emotional Support Dog, their dog cannot access automatic public access rights. 

Based On Cases

Every person’s mental health condition varies. Some become quite severe, while others remain comparatively calm. Therefore, service providers and businesses should revise their policies, especially based on case-by-case, so that the individual can relax with the support of the ESA dog. Otherwise, it will be a challenge for them and those around them.   

Travelling Via Air 

These individuals can be called out of the city or country to get their conditions treated or for other work as well. So, what are the rights of ESA owners over here? Let’s discuss:

Policies of The Airlines 

Different airlines have different policies related to allowing ESA dogs to travel with their owners. Here, it is suggested that the specific ESA letter and other necessary papers from a licensed and professional healthcare worker be kept, just in case the airline asks for evidence. Otherwise, the situation can become tough for the traveller. 

Contact The Airline 

To avoid last-minute shocks, it is recommended that the person contact the airline to ask about their ESA policies or go to the authentic website and read the policy page. This will help them either switch to another airline that allows the ESA to travel with them or arrange the necessary documents to ensure safe and smooth travels. 

How Are Emotional Support Animals Different From Service Dogs?

We mentioned quite a few times that Service dogs have more rights than Emotional Service Dogs, which might have made you wonder if these dogs are very different from each other. The reality is that they offer benefits for an individual dealing with mental health conditions, but yes, they differ in terms of roles and legal protections in the UK. 

Emotional Support Dogs

Purpose

Their main goal is to offer companionship and comfort to individuals having mental health issues. 

Training

They don’t need hardcore training to perform tasks. 

Legal Protections

The sad part is that they have limited legal protections. Yes, they are known to relax and provide emotional support. However, UK law does not grant them similar rights to service dogs.  

Public Places Rights 

Emotional Support Animals are not usually allowed to enter public places like malls, shops, or restaurants. Why? Because it's up to the businesses and service providers to let these dogs inside. 

Service Dogs

Purpose

Service dogs fulfil the aim of performing particular tasks to help individuals with other physical disabilities. 

Training

These dogs undergo tough training to guide visually impaired people, alerting them to sounds, or making them stable as well.

Legal Protections 

Service dogs come under the legal protection of the Equality Act 2010. 

Public Access

Unlike ESA dogs, service dogs can walk in with their owners in the majority of public places, including transport, restaurants, malls, and shops. 

How To Choose An Emotional Support Dog? 

In the United Kingdom, individuals struggling with mental health conditions should look into the following factors:

Temperament

We mentioned the top six breeds that prove to be amazing ESA animals, therefore they should pick a calm and gentle breed such as Labrador or Golden Retriever.

Age

If selecting a young dog, then it might require more attention and training. 

Personality

The individual must choose an ESA dog whose requirements and way of living match the owner’s personality. Otherwise, it will be useless. 

Health 

Individuals with mental health conditions must ensure that the ESA dog is vaccinated and not ill when selecting it. 

Training

The individual can offer them basic training like “sit”, “stand”, or “come” to benefit their recovery. However, it is not necessary to do so. 

Conclusion

Emotional Support Animals help individuals dealing with mental health issues, making them happy and boosting their confidence. Therefore, they should also be recognized as service dogs. Plus, if you know any such person living a difficult life, you can always suggest they follow the procedure and get an ESA dog.

 

Impact Sweatshirt
Impact Dog Crates
$81.00
Stationary Rear Airline Rail
Impact Dog Crates
$81.00
Impact T-Shirt
Impact Dog Crates
$46.00
Impact Secondhand Crates - Collapsible
Impact Dog Crates
$1,616.00$969.00
Collapsible Dog Crate
Impact Dog Crates
$1,456.00
Impact Dog Leash
Impact Dog Crates
$33.00