Emotional support animals can be somewhat controversial. While there are some who say they are beneficial to those with mental problems, there is also little evidence to prove it. So, the real question is whether they help or not.

Emotional Support Animals and Certification

There is no regulation of a certification or the requirements to have an animal registered. In some cases, you can just pay a fee and receive a piece of paper that certifies that your emotional support animal is official. While this may have some significance to the owner, there is no real meaning behind the paper. Some animals have the ability to assist those with disabilities or provide support through training they have received. These are psychiatric service animals and they receive special training from professionals who have given the animal skills that can be necessary for those with disabilities.

Pets vs. Emotional Support Animals

The distinction between a pet and an emotional support animal is an important one. A pet is a personal animal which has no training and has more sentimental value to the owner than training that offers them support. An emotional support animal with psychiatric training is able to perform tasks for the patient when they are not able to. This tends to be something like bringing medications or turning off lights. They are able to read cues and act accordingly, which is the result of years of discipline and practice. There is fear that people are abusing the certifications with lead to diminishing the value of an actual psychiatric support animal.

Psychiatric Support Animal Tasks

The training that psychiatric support animals go through is quite extensive. There are some tasks that they need to be able to perform and with minimal guidance. In some cases, they are able to execute commands without an actual instruction being given. They are able to find a person or place when needed. This can be a family member who may need to call emergency services or administer aid. Some are also capable of interrupting or redirecting compulsive behavior. There are plenty of YouTube videos of people who are having panic attacks or PTSD episodes, receiving comfort from their support animal. That is also true for animals that assist individuals who experience seizures.

Legal Obligation

While the Americans with Disabilities Act covers both types of animals, they may not receive equal treatment. Psychological support animals are recommended by a psychiatric professional. They are considered a medical necessity and their training are essential tasks. Emotional support animals are deemed to be emotionally comforting, but not a medical help. Legal obligation only applies to animals needed for psychiatric support. While emotional support animals are given some priority, it isn’t the same treatment, and they are not considered the same necessity.

Emotional Support Animals: Do They Help?

The debate is still an on-going one, and there are strong arguments for both sides. While they do not necessarily receive training like psychological support animals are, emotional support animals do offer some comfort to their owners. They can help alleviate stress and give significant assistance to those with stress and anxiety disorders. This can help those with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD. It is also an alternative to those who cannot afford psychological support animals, which can cost thousands of dollars. There have been studies that have shown that animals can make all of the difference in a person’s mental health, as it pertains to happiness and relaxation.

Emotional Support Animals: Do You Qualify?

While psychological support animals can require a letter from a doctor and some information about your medical history, an emotional support animal is something less formal and more personal. There are certifications that you can acquire on your own and for a fraction of that cost. There are manuals and coaches to guide you as you train your pet or an animal of your choosing. However, the training is less sophisticated, and they have less weight with the law. In some cases, this may mean that while service dogs are allowed in buildings or planes, emotional support animals aren’t necessarily.

If you think that you need an emotional support animal, you should find out more from your counselor. You can start here. Let them know how you think it will be an asset to your daily life and what you feel that you want to remedy. They will be able to recommend a course of action, whether it is an emotional support animal or techniques to assist you. You will also find more information about emotional support animals here. Just know that there is always help and someone you can talk to. Getting the help you need is just the first step.