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What types of animals make the finest ESA?
Having an emotional support animal is a blessing. For people with emotional disabilities, animals are a great source of supporting them. They genuinely change the lens through which you see the world. But the main thing is how you choose the right one. Before getting deep into the matter, you must know what an emotional support animal is. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal to assisting people dealing with specific mental disabilities or emotional disorders. Emotional support animals help people with various types of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
At realesaletter, we recognize that the best ESA is unique to each individual and their specific needs. While dogs are a popular choice for emotional support animals, other animals such as cats, birds, and even miniature horses can also provide valuable emotional support. Our team of licensed mental health professionals can provide comprehensive evaluations to determine the best type of animal for each individual and their specific situation.
\People who are diagnosed with a similar disease and seek medical help from a licensed mental health specialist can only keep an emotional support animal (ESA). There are two laws to protect an emotional support animal. One is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows emotional support animals to keep their animals with them even if the area has forbidden it. It is primarily a rental place. On-campus college accommodations are also included in this act.
The second is the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA); according to this act, people with an emotional support animal can travel with them. They can bring their emotional support animal in the cabin on commercial flights for free, even in forbidden places. Almost every animal can be an emotional support animal except lions, unfortunately. Dogs and cats top the list as most people choose them as their emotional support animals.
However, different types of birds, rabbits, and miniature horses can qualify as emotional support animals; you also need to consider your living space before getting the animal. You can not keep a horse in an apartment; you need a bigger space for that. People seek great comfort from their emotional support animals. Always remember that any domesticated animal can be an emotional support animal. Mental health professionals will think twice if the animal is not a dog or a cat without ensuring that the animal will provide the necessary support for the patient.
An ESA dog should be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional or psychiatrist to get permission to keep an emotional support animal with you. They will specify an emotional support animal letterfor you if they think you need it. An ESA letter is a legal document, which can only be written by a licensed mental health professional. It is better to get an ESA letter so that you can take your ESA with you without any restrictions.
Cats and dogs are the most connected to their owners; they go around like they are best friends; hence, mental health professionals prefer getting a dog or a cat for their patients. Emotional support animals are not privileged enough to be brought to any public place like restaurants, shopping malls, or other shared home-like service dogs. Suppose you want to take your animal to a particular public place. In that case, you have to choose locations where animals are allowed, but finding a business that lets a miniature horse or a dog in, is not that easy.
An emotional support animal can board a flight, but as security is progressing, more and more US flights are restricted to dogs and cats only. It would help if you kept all of this in your mind before making a final decision. Different people would choose another emotional support animal. Considering other people's choices, one person's perfect animal would not be the same as another. The main reason for that is a lifestyle.
Other aspects include how much you travel, what hopes you have for your emotional support animal, and how you would like to travel with your animal most of the time. These things also do matter. Also, consider that you should not leave your emotional support animal alone for a very long period. Like any regular pet, they will need your time and attention; consider all these matters and make a sensible decision.
There are some criteria for an emotional support animal as well. They should be well-behaved, which means no unnecessary noise, jumping, or aggressive behavior. They should be in control of their owner. They should be clean and well trained, in case they are not trained well, even flights and rented places will refuse their entry. The most important part is to have a bond between the owner and the animal; without an emotional bond, the emotional support animal will not help you with your illness. They should help you be calm, and it is an ESA's job to help you cope with stress. After deciding on what animal to choose, you have to move on to getting one.
Your family doctor can not prescribe you a real esa letter for housing. You show your letter as a shred of evidence for places under the fair housing act, and you can lead a peaceful life with your emotional support animal. It is the only way to prove that your animal is an emotional support animal. There are online services that can connect you to a licensed mental health professional in your country. Beware of scams, as many illegal websites are pretending to be mental health doctors. Lastly, always consider adopting an animal. And try to avoid buying an emotional support animal, as many animals are looking for a new home and a partner; view them as you both will fulfill each other.
Useful resources:
How to make sure that your ESA is getting enough exercise during lockdown
Wondering how to get an ESA dog: Here is everything you need to know
Get your ESA letter - the legitimate way
What to do if I cannot Afford an ESA?
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