Individuals who struggle with depression tend to withdraw and disconnect from the outside world. In many cases, they enable their owners to attain safety and independence that their disabilities otherwise make out of reach. If you do not have a therapist or your therapist is unfamiliar with ESAs, we may be able to help you, you can start here: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/. Most people are more than happy to certify a pet they already own as a therapy animal. My doctor says my heart condition is temporary, but it will take a few more years likely to fully heal. Just the presence of a therapy dog will help take a person’s mind off of all their worries, physical or emotional pains, and anxieties. Start now by completing the ESA questionnaire in the link below. Most people benefit from therapy treatment, although the first therapist you start with may not be the one you end up. Emotional support dogs are generally not welcome in places that serve food. This is perhaps the most important requirement, as they will need to cheer people up when they need it the most. I wonder if we could get a service animal for her. They can even learn life-saving skills to help in an emergency. I also fidget A LOT and have trouble not playing with something. Certified service dogs are much more than just companions. broad term that includes animal-assisted therapy and other animal-assisted activities Some of the most common questions are answered below: Talk with a medical professional to determine your eligibility for an emotional support animal. If your doctor determines that you do have a need for an emotional support dog and provides you with the letter, then you are finished. Others will adopt a pet and obtain a letter to recognize the pet as an ESA (emotional support animal). If they cannot, the testing organization will ask that you continue to train them until they can meet the requirements. Although sometimes the only difference between a therapy animal can be a certificate or a doctors note, having your animal’s paperwork in order can mean: Some states have different regulations than others, but regardless, an official certificate can be the difference between 24/7 access to your therapy animal or being forced to leave them at home. Actually, my wife suffers from a debilitating disability. © 2019 US Service Animals - USServiceAnimals.org. What animal would you suggest? Once you have chosen a dog to take home, you will need to begin the training process as soon as possible. In addition, therapy dogs cannot join their owners on flights for free. Some animals may pass with flying colors, but may still be unprepared to deal with patients in a new environment. A dog that is uncomfortable or unadaptable may become shy or even aggressive, which can cause unnecessary harm to patients. Emotional support dogs do not have the same rights to access public places as service dogs. They are allowed anywhere their owner is allowed, including restaurants and stores. While there is no shortage of legal and medical information available, it can be hard to parse through the facts and get the information you need regarding ownership of a therapy or emotional support animal. It has more to do with their roles, their rights to access certain areas, and the training they must receive. But do you know the differences between them? In general, you will want to make sure that your dog exhibits certain positive behaviors and avoids negative ones. However, they are not service dogs, and ESA users do not receive the same accommodations as service dog users. Are you seeking more information about obtaining an ESA letter from your healthcare provider?