Do Emotional Support Animals Help Reduce Loneliness and Isolation During Difficult Times?

[rickeygarner]

Lately I have been reading more about emotional support animals and how they help people dealing with loneliness and difficult periods in life. I am curious to hear from people who actually have one.

If you have an emotional support animal, did it help you feel less isolated during tough times? I imagine having that constant companionship can make a big difference, especially for people who live alone or struggle with anxiety.

Did your pet naturally provide that comfort before becoming an ESA, or did things change after getting an ESA letter? I would really like to hear some real experiences and how it impacted your daily life.

[TaraG]

Hi. First I'd like to say that my dogs have not been certified as emotional support dogs, but they know instinctively what to do when I am bad (down/depressed/lonely). I am 56 and have always had pets and they have always been my lifeline.

Whether it's having to get up to see to them, or lying crying in bed with them cuddled around me, they support me and provide unconditional love 24/7 and don't ask anything in response except cuddles.

You do have to look at where you are living though and finances. A big dog in an apartment is not ideal, but a small one would be and even a cat. I know someone who has to hamsters and they are what see her through. If you want a dog though that is truly grateful, adopt one from a shelter. They know you have saved them and the gratitude they display is unbelievable. To date, I've adopted about 20 over the years.

Don't be scared of breeds people say aren't the right one. I have a German Shepherd who wraps her body around me when I cry and a cross-pitt who lies on my chest. Both are supposed to be vicious. Neither breed is really.

All in all, having an emotional support animal saved my life on a few occasions, so I'd heartedly recommend you get one. You'll never be sorry.

[Sunlily]

Hello,

I've had 3 ESA's in the past. All I got as puppies without the intention of them being ESA's. They were just meant to be companions and turned into more.

My first dog was an absolute lover and a "velcro" dog. All he wanted to do was be by me doing whatever I was doing (but not being nosey just wanted to be close to me). He was with me for 16yrs through all kinds of trauma and really difficult experiences. He was my one constant through the most difficult and heartbreaking things i've ever experienced. I knew for awhile that something was wrong with me mentally i just didn't know what it was until i was diagnosed with MDD and PTSD. After those diagnoses I got him certified as a ESA and did obedience training with him further. I also trained him specifically for whenever i was triggered and what i needed him to do. After awhile he did it naturally. It helped sooo much simply to know that i wasn't alone and to have him there. He acted as a grounding tool to bring me out of my panic and anxiety attack from being triggered (PTSD) or whenever i wouldn't get out of bed he would nudge me until i did and forced me to get up and moving around. He made me interact with him which also helped get me enough out of my funk to feel semi like myself again for a little while. He gave me enough relief from the depression and significantly helped with the panic and anxiety attacks.

My second dog was bought to be a companion for my first and to teach her to help me. She under went extensive obedience training as well as training for how she could help me much like my first dog did. She was more playful, energetic, and persistent than my first dog was. She wouldn't nudge me but she would "smother" me by hugging my face (by putting a paw on either side of my neck and then pressing her cheek into my mouth/nose). She would do this whenever i wouldn't get up or if i was having an attack. She would mouth my fingers whenever she knew i needed to do something and would instigate me into playing with her. Those two things helped equally as much as what my first dog did.

My third dog was another lover but was also playful and energetic. He was like a mix of both my first and my second. So he did everything both of them did.

I can't say how incredibly helpful and comforting it was to have them around when i really needed them. They kept me from making stupid decisions and messing up my life. They helped me more than words can really describe. I will forever be grateful and appreciative of having them in my life. Ultimately they were companions that also provided additional things to specifically help me when i needed it. I think that's the best way to go about it. Look for a companion then see about training them to your specific needs.

If you can care for them then i highly encourage you to look into different breeds and see what best fits your personality and what characteristics you would need from an ESA. See what would fit best and give you the most benefits as well as weigh that against what you would appreciate as a companion most. I mean really look into it do your research and ask questions (don't just see "best animal ever" without knowing their downfalls because they all have them and see if both good and bad are something you can accept). They can be such wonderful gifts that bring challenges of their own but nothing too over the top, and all the good moments and help they give outweigh any challenge they might bring into your life.