People are often afraid to have pets due to the great responsibility and limitations that an animal can bring to them. Of course, you will have to rebuild your daily schedule a little by entering into it the walking of the animal and its feeding. However, these changes are so minor that you will get used to them after a couple of days. As far as possible limitations are concerned, there are actually not as many of them as it might seem. Pet owners usually have to choose pet-friendly public places and airlines. And if you are a handler of an individually trained service animal, you will avoid even these issues.
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The skills of emotional support animals
Emotional support animals are precisely disciplined animals that are taught to deal with humans with psychical or emotional dysfunctions. Everyone knows that animals are capable of raising the mood of a person by their presence, removing negative energy, and charging the owner with positive. They can also make a man more reliable and responsible.
Unlike service animals that serve individuals with physical disabilities or personal protection dogs that are highly trained to protect you from threats, ESAs are designed to help those who are in need of psychical and emotional endorsement. Registered Emotional Support Animals help a human with a mental disability get rid of the problem or at least significantly reduce the symptoms of the disorder.
What does a licensed mental health professional think about ESA?
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals agree that the applying of animals in the psychiatric service is one of the most effective kinds of treatment. Firstly, people accept emotional support from the ESA much easier. Secondly, if the patient needs constant care, the dog can be a substitute for the nurse. And finally, emotional support animals can be useful for the treatment of such serious diseases as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. That’s why all the experts concur, that getting an ESA is a great decision for any human who needs mental reliance or is in a depressed emotional state.
Getting an ESA
To provide yourself with an ESA you have to contact your therapist or social worker. The specialist will give you an ESA letter. This letter is required not only for getting emotional support dogs but is also an official paper verifying the status of an animal and regulating its rights. With this document, you may take an animal from the training center. If you want to qualify your pet as an ESA, you can contact an expressly educated animal coach to discipline your animal.
The freedoms of an emotional support animal
ESAs’ freedoms are not as extensive as service animals’. Nevertheless, they still have their privilege. These animals are trained to behave themselves so they have an access to most public places, for example, cafes, restaurants, or means of public transport. Besides, according to the laws protecting the rights of disabled people and their service animals, service dogs can live with their owners free of charge. Moreover, the handler of a service animal shouldn’t pay pet fees.
Air travel with an ESA
If you choose air travel for the journey and you want your service dog to fly in the cabin, you have to follow some rules. First of all, you have to fill out a special Animal Transportation form at least 48 hours before the flight date. You must attach a document confirming the status of the animal to the form. The U.S. Department of Transportation will notify you when the form is approved. If you bought a ticket less than 2 days before the scheduled flight date, you can fill out this form at the airport. However, don’t forget to arrive a little earlier.
In addition, if the flights last more than 8 hours, you must provide a veterinary health form for the animal. This certificate reaffirms that the animal can withstand such long flights. Remember that the animal must not occupy a seat or exit row. Service dogs have to seat in front of their owners in a cabin kennel.
Pet-friendly airlines
In most cases, U.S. airlines cannot prevent a service dog from flying in the cabin of a plane next to its owner. However, there are certain restrictions that depend on the destination, the age of the dog, its size, and weight. In some cases, these restrictions are applied to the emotional support animal. One of the easiest ways to escape any conflict situations with an air carrier is to choose a pet-friendly airline, where animals are permitted. We know how meaningful it is to travel with your Emotional Support Dog! In order to avoid any inconveniences on an airplane with your dog. Preparing some dog wraps can solve issues such as urinary incontinence, digestive disorders, or spaying incontinence. Particularly if your dog is a male, it is essential to have washable male dog wraps.
Advocating the ESA’s rights
For several years now, there have been discussions around the ESAs because they don’t have the official status of service animals. The owners of these animals often have to advocate their freedoms. Basic documentation acknowledging the need for an animal for humans includes a doctor’s note, an ESA letter, and veterinary health forms. These papers establish that the animal isn’t a threat to others, doesn’t have rabies or other diseases, and is taught to be well-behaved in society.
