The Need for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Emotional and mental illnesses are just as threatening to a person as physical ailments and illnesses. Thanks to the rise in awareness about mental illness and emotional problems, there are major steps taking all around to tackle this problem and help those in need through support and understanding. A big part of this understanding is realizing and allowing the pet animals to take part in relieving the problems caused by emotional and mental imbalances. ESAs for example—authorized by mental health specialists, through an ESA letter—help people cope with their mental health problems through their companionship, their attention, and unconditional love. 

Animals tend to have a therapeutic effect on the individuals interacting with them. Pet animals have been known to decrease stress hormones in the person and help the body release oxytocin. Similarly, through the interaction, it is also found that pets lower the blood pressure and the levels of cortisol levels. Moreover, pets tend to make their human companions less lonely and encourage them to go out and engage in activities. If you do not have an esa letter you should know how to get an esa letter online.

Requirements for an Emotional Support Animal

There are no specific required training or registrations that your emotional support animal needs to go through or have. To have your pet as an emotional support animal, you only need a letter from a licensed mental health specialist. The process of getting the Emotional Support Animal Letter (ESA letter), starts with applying for the letter from a mental health specialist. This can be done either in person or through online consultation. The sessions with the specialist can extend over several sessions where s/he will assess your condition, based on which you a decision will be taken if allowing you to have an emotional support animal is beneficial for your mental health or not. If you want to keep a pet you should know about an emotional support animal registration.

If you are deemed applicable to have the support animal then you will be provided with a signed and stamped ESA letter that will state that you suffer from emotional difficulties and need to be in the presence of the designated ESA at all times— the letter doesn’t need to mention the condition that you are suffering with.

The benefit of having an Emotional Support Animal

The benefits that the emotional support animal parents can have are multiple and they are there to allow for them to deal with their emotional imbalances and problems effectively, such that they can leave a normal life. The emotional support animals need to be with their pet parents at all times. There are certain federal laws that allow these ESAs to be with their pet parents. If you have a dog you should have a US service dog registry.

The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 allows you to have your support animal with you during your air travel. The act allows for the ESAs to accompany their human companions inside the passenger cabin, such that the pet animal is there to comfort the human companion at the time of need. 

• The airline carriers cannot bar you and your ESA from entering the passenger cabin if you have the proper ESA Letter. Though as responsible ESA owner you should inform the airline carrier that you will be boarding the flight with your ESA so that they can make the preparations ahead. 
• The Fair Housing Act allows for your ESA pet animal to stay inside the housing unit that you live in. All you have to do is to show the appropriate ESA letter to your landlord while applying and moving into the property. The owner cannot deny your right to live with your pet emotional support animal. The ‘no pet policy’ doesn’t apply to the person and the pet with an ESA letter. If you want to keep your pet inside of your house you should have an ESA letter for housing.

Related Resources :

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Roles Of A Pet Dog In A Family

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