Emotional support animals – the benefits

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that offers emotional support to people with mental disabilities. They can be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional as part of a treatment plan for mental or emotional conditions. Despite there being many mental health benefits of ESAs, they haven’t received the recognition as service animals in the UK or the US. There was more recognition in the USA, but the rules were revised in 2020.

There are many benefits to ESAs to those struggling with their mental health. They may help improve their quality of life and enable them to cope well with everyday life.

They provide a sense of purpose

Anyone that has owned a pet knows the level of care they need. No matter how big or small, every pet relies on their owner for water, food, exercise and interaction, as well as offering unconditional company and love. People that suffer with depression often find it difficult to find a reason to look after themselves and to complete everyday tasks. They lose all motivation. But caring for a pet requires you to carry on, even on the hardest of days, otherwise the pet is at risk of becoming ill or even passing away. Your pet needs you, so you have to look after yourself properly in order to be there for them and to care for them properly. Raising a pet, watching them grow and learn, provides a sense of achievement that can be infectious and may lead to trying new things.

They keep you physically active

Finding motivation to exercise is challenging for anyone, but even more so for those suffering with mental health conditions. Some may fear leaving the house and mixing with other people outside of the safety of their own home. Exercise is important for both physical and mental health – it gives you more energy, releases feel-good hormones and helps prevent physical problems like obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Animals provide motivation as they too benefit from physical activity. They want to exercise and spend time outdoors, and they need you to be able to do that.

They help to alleviate symptoms

People with mental and emotional conditions often suffer from anxiety, stress, negative thoughts, panic attacks and high blood pressure. The presence of an ESA can reduce these. Grooming, cuddling and playing with your pet provides a distraction from your thoughts and releases endorphins that lower stress hormones. Animals and humans both have a basic need for contact, affection and companionship, which an owner and pet bond can achieve.

They provide companionship

Animals may offer constant companionship, endless joy and unconditional love. An animal will never choose to leave its owner once they’ve bonded with them Their constant presence may lessen feelings of loneliness, and their constant acceptance of you may prevent feelings of seclusion. Owning a pet can open up new opportunities to meet and interact with fellow pet owners, who you have at least one thing in common with – the love of animals and acts as a discussion topic for people who may otherwise struggle to know what to say to other people or how to interact with them.

They help you to keep a routine

Many people find it hard to adapt to change and prefer to stick to a routine, and this is normal for most people. Some people with a mental health condition can suffer from panic attacks and increased blood pressure when faced with sudden changes. Animals prefer a routine too. Feeding, exercising and sleeping usually happen at the same time every day and animals learn when these things are due to happen. This helps to keep a structured day and provides a sense of purpose, as well as keeping you physically active.

Emotional support animals and children

ESAs are being prescribed to children with autism, attention deficit disorder (ADD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disorders, and phobias. They provide the child a safe space. Many children find it easier to communicate and bond with animals than other children, as the communication can be both verbal and nonverbal and they are never judged. This security, comfort and acceptance helps to build confidence in the child. They also learn responsibility, empathy and compassion from looking after a pet.

Unfortunately, it’s not currently possible to register a pet as an ESA in the UK because they are seen as pets and not assistance or service animals. The same restrictions for other pets are also in place for ESAs. They are not allowed in shops, restaurants, or other public places and are not allowed to be with their owners in the cabin during flights. People with ESAs rely on them during stressful situations, like flying or being in busy places, to provide comfort, reassurance and confidence. Restricting the access of ESAs means that people with mental health conditions are not able to lead a normal life.

An ESA should be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional. But they don’t require any training, like a service or assistance animal, because it’s their presence that alleviates symptoms and they don’t need to carry out specific tasks. This means any animal of any age has the potential to bring about the same benefits. You can get an ESA in the same way as you would get any other pet – breeders, rescue or adoption centers. When choosing your animal, you should keep in mind its suitability to your lifestyle and living situation.

For more information about ESAs, check out the following website: www.emotionalsupportanimals.org.uk.