Myths About Emotional Support Dogs

While there are more emotional support dogs now than ever before, there are still a lot of myths surrounding these dogs and their owners. Emotional Support Dogs can offer a great deal of assistance to those who require a little bit of extra help on a daily basis, whether they’re suffering from anxiety or another emotional difficulty. Read on to learn more about the myths surrounding emotional support dogs!

Emotional Support Dogs have to be incredibly well trained

A lot of people assume emotional support dogs have to be highly trained. While this is usually true of Service Animals which are trained to do certain tasks or to perform in case of a medical issue, Emotional Support Dogs don’t require the same level of training. These Emotional Support Dogs have a strong bond with their owners and can offer the love and care they need on a daily basis.

It is difficult to register my dog as an Emotional Support Animal

It’s understandable that people believe it’s difficult to register your animal as an Emotional Support Animal. Many believe you have to adopt a dog that is already a qualified Emotional Support Animal, but that’s not the case. Dogs with all types of backgrounds and histories can make great Emotional Support Animals. To register your pet, you need a letter from a certified mental health professional or therapist who can attest to how this animal will play a role in your treatment plan.

Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals are the same thing

One of the biggest myths about Emotional Support Animals is that they’re the same thing as Service Animals. This misunderstanding likely keeps many from pursuing their own Emotional Support Animal since they think it’s difficult to achieve and that they don’t suffer from a big enough health issue. While many Emotional Support Animals do have trained skills that help them perform their duties, their main role is to be a beacon of support for their owners.

Both Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals provide a valuable and therapeutic service for their owners, and both are important. Emotional Support Animals provide emotional therapy in the form of comfort, affection, and a calm presence which can make a major difference in an owner’s treatment for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and more.

Emotional Support Animals can go anywhere Service Animals can go

A lot of people wrongly assume both Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals can go anywhere, including restaurants and hotels. Only Service Dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in these types of areas, as they have been rigorously trained. Emotional Support Animals cannot go into these public areas, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits to having an Emotional Support Dog. For instance, Emotional Support Animals are permitted to live in accommodations that are traditionally pet-free and they can even travel on commercial airlines.

Should you consider an Emotional Support Dog?

If you’ve been considering having an Emotional Support Dog of your own or registering your current pet as an Emotional Support Animal, you have options. This type of accreditation is becoming more popular as more people and health professionals recognize the positive benefits of having an animal for support. Read it here: https://therapypet.org/emotional-support-animal-information/ to learn more about Emotional Support Animals. Speak to a mental health professional today to determine if an Emotional Support Dog is a good fit for your treatment plan.  You can look to get a service dog for ptsd and other issues. They can provide support, company and help you recover with the other support networks you have.