A lot of people struggle from emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and it can be hard to find relief for these types of issues. If you have any type of disorder like this and find that your pet helps you calm down and feel better, you may want to see if you can get this pet registered as an emotional support animal (ESA). If you can, you will have the legal right to bring the pet with you almost anywhere you go. Here are several things to know about this.
What Is An ESA?
An ESA is an animal that is recognized and approved to be a pet that provides calming value and help to a person. The animal must typically be a dog or cat, but it could possibly be other animals too. The purpose of getting a pet registered as an ESA is that you will have the ability and right to bring the pet with you to places where you normally cannot have pets. In a sense, this is similar to dogs people use when they are blind or handicapped.
When you get your pet approved for this, you should be able to bring it on airplanes and in hotel rooms that normally do not allow pets. When you bring your pet on an airplane, this certification will allow you to hold the pet on your lap or place it near you. It will not have to be in a cage. You may also be able to bring it along in taxis and to other places you go, and this can even include restaurants.
What Is The Purpose?
The purpose of this type of certification is to help a person that suffers from an emotional disorder. People with emotional issues may use a variety of different types of methods to help them calm down and feel comfortable, and using a pet is often referred to as pet therapy. If you have a pet that really helps you control your anxiety, and if you wish you could bring the pet everywhere you go, this might be right for you.
How Can You Get This?
If you feel like having your pet approved as an ESA, you will need to complete a few steps to do this, and there is a chance you will not be able to get the pet approved. One of the main steps that are needed and required is getting a diagnosis of your condition from a doctor. The diagnosis must state that you suffer from some type of disorder. This could include panic attacks or post-traumatic stress disorder, or it could be something different than this, but you must get a diagnosis to get this done.
The other important thing you may need to do is complete an ESA evaluation through a place like Next Generation Psychology. This must typically be completed with a certified therapist or mental health professional, and this is needed in order to qualify. This type of evaluation is used to determine if you have an emotional condition and if your pet helps you through your condition. If the therapist agrees that your pet brings you relief and is beneficial for your moods and state, the therapist is likely to agree to this.
Once this is done, you will receive a letter that states the pet is approved as an ESA. You will need to bring this letter with you when you fly on airplanes, check into hotels, or eat in restaurants. You must bring it anywhere you bring your pet. By showing this letter, you will be allowed to bring your pet in with you, even if it is a place where pets are normally not welcome.
If you love your pet and find a lot of comfort and relief from it, and if you have an emotional disorder, you should look into an ESA evaluation.
Share27 January 2017
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