Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

Emotional Support Animals

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

It is important to stress from the onset that the American Disabilities Act (ADA) clearly delineates major differences between Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. They differ in purpose, legally supported use, specified training, and methods of securing authorization for their use.
According to Title II and Title III of the ADA, a service animal means any dog (or another suitable animal) that has been professionally trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Some examples of tasks they perform; include among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, the potential onset of a seizure, or even being able to press the correct elevator button.

Emotional Support Animals which are also described as comfort animals and therapy dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, etc. are not classified as service animals by the ADA. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals either
(Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals, 2014).

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are pets and are not service animals.
Mental health professionals prescribe emotional support animals under the law.

As I noted on Slide 1 of the Homepage, the specific reasoning to support my decision to do this project is based substantially on my personal use of a Ball Python as an emotional support animal for several years now. In fact, My adopted parents (also my biological grandparents) let me get Dexter, my Ball Python when I was 13 years old and Dexter has been a vital part of my life ever since. At the time I got him, I suffered from severe night terrors, severe anxiety, migraines, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The latter is something I struggle with to this day.

The remainder of this page will focus on Emotional Support Animals.

Do you feel calmer, less anxious, and more capable when you’re around your pet? Well, that is the basic idea for emotional support animals. My parents watched me playing with the squirrels in our yard. They noticed how happy I was when a couple of them would come to me when they saw me outside and I gave them little snacks (I was 11 at the time). I also, did better when our Bichon Frise would let me hug him until I fell asleep.

From rabbits to snakes, Emotional Support Animals can come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Although dogs are the most common choice, almost any type of animal can qualify, as long as a licensed mental health professional has agreed that your pet is helping you to cope with a mental health condition. There might be rules about which animals you can take into certain premises, (like college dorms or on flights), but no laws limit which species

can become an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

MOST COMMON TYPES OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

According to The ESA Registration Of America (2022) website, lists the following animals in order of people's preferences.
Dogs: known as "man’s best friend," they are the most popular pet in America.
Cats: are also a popular choice but they are typically more independent than dogs.
Ferrets: Energetic and lovable, they are becoming increasingly popular.
Snakes: They might not be the most cuddly pets, not only are snakes quiet and calm pets, which create a soothing presence – but they’re also hypoallergenic.
Rabbits: Rabbits are relatively easy to look after and will repay your love with a strong bond. They’re also surprisingly easy to train.
Horses: In 2019, the US Department of Transportation gave a ‘final statement of enforcement priorities’ that specifically allowed miniature ponies to board commercial flights, so long as they have qualified as an Emotional Support Animal.
Pigs: pigs have become increasingly popular as household pets, thanks in part to micropigs – or miniatures.
Hedgehogs: These creatures might be prickly, yet they’re also incredibly gentle and affectionate. When it relaxes around you, its prickles will also start to relax, which makes it much easier to handle.

So, in essence, Emotional Support animals are like a crutch or support, which allows the person to better cope (survive, manage, handle, deal with, or even muddle through) when they suffer from one or more of the following mental health disorders:

Depression
Anxiety
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Agoraphobia or other phobias
Socially induced high stress or anxiety (above average)
Bipolar Disorder
Grieving over a major loss
Other Less Common Mental and Emotional Disorders (US Service Animals, 2019).

An individual is qualified as determined by a licensed mental health professional who has determined that the patient’s mental health will be benefited through the companionship of an emotional support animal.

So what are the desired and/or expected alleviation of symptoms which could be expected?

Less stress and lower blood pressure
Fewer panic attacks or anxiety-related symptoms
Increased function in regular daily tasks
Better sleep quality
Increased ability to spend time around other people
Feeling of security in places patients would otherwise find uncomfortable
Motivation and sense of purpose, as well as general wellbeing (US Service Animals, 2019).

A Word of Warning!
It is important to understand that in order to be able to keep an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in your dorm, or perhaps travel with your pet, you will need to obtain an ESA Letter. I received mine through my primary care clinician who coordinated with my mental health therapist. Like all aspects of life that become fashionable, popular, or attract many users, they also attract people who abuse these privileges. How often have you seen physically fit individuals (who do not have handicap stickers or tags) take up all the physically handicapped parking spaces?
However, more than anyone else they attract scammers out to steal your identity and money. Consequently, the Internet is full of offers that offer to quickly connect you with a mental health professional for a fee and get you a genuine ESA Letter, either by email or regular mail.
While there really are some genuinely legitimate sites there are multiple scam artists and cons. So, the best recommendation is to work with your personal doctors and mental health professionals.
Caveat Emptor!

REFERENCES:
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. (2014). Southwest ADA Center.
https://adata.org/guide/service-animals-and-emotional-support-animals/The ESA Registration
Of America. (2022).
Types Of Emotional Support Animals: A Complete Guide. https://www.esaregistration.org/blog/
types-of-emotional-support-animals/
US Service Animals. (2019). https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/how-to-get-esa-letter/