What is an Emotional Support Animal?

It’s no secret that being around animals can help lift your spirits, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some people have taken this to a new level by employing the use of an Emotional Support Animal to help them manage their day-to-day life and struggles. 

In this blog, we’re going to discuss just how emotional support animals help with depression and anxiety, as well as other conditions and what it means to be the owner of an emotional support animal.

What are Emotional Support Animals?

By definition, an emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal companion which offers companionship and support to an individual with a disability to help alleviate at least one aspect of their disability. 

ESAs are most typically dogs, but a lot of people choose cats or even miniature horses to be their support animals. There’s really no limit to what can be your Emotional Support Animal so long as they are legally allowed to be kept as a pet in the UK. Some people have been known to have pigs, and one woman even has a peacock. However, it’s important to note that the more obscure your animal, the harder it may be to be taken seriously by others.

Are Emotional Support Animals the Same as Service Dogs?

No, Emotional Support Animals are not considered service dogs despite typically being recommended by a therapist, psychiatrist or doctor. Emotional Support Animals are therapeutic pets that help those with a mental disability with, emotional difficulties, or loneliness. 

Service Animals, on the other hand, are animals that have been specifically trained (usually since they were young) to support those with disabilities or medical conditions. Service animals are typically dogs (but other animals have been known to be used) and are protected under the Equality Act 2010, and so have the right to enter public places such as shops, cafes, restaurants, hospitals and more. 

Why are Emotional Support Animals Important?

Emotional Support Animals are prescribed by mental health professionals in order to help those who struggle with mental illnesses in such a way that it impacts their day to day life. The pet’s role is to provide emotional support to their owner, and having an Emotional Support Animal can have the following benefits:

• Lessening anxiety
• Improving physical health
• Lessening feelings of loneliness 
• Providing reciprocal love

Emotional Support Animal Laws

There have been plenty of studies on how the presence of Emotional Support Animals can help those who struggle with various disabilities. Still, unfortunately, Emotional Support Animals are not recognised in the UK and so do not receive any legal recognition. 

However, this isn’t to say you can’t own an Emotional Support Animal. You just can't take your ESA to places where service animals are typically allowed, such as restaurants, shops, or airlines. It also means those who own an Emotional Support Animal can struggle to find affordable housing in the UK if the landlord refuses pets. 

That said, places are becoming more lenient in allowing certain animals into their establishments, with plenty of dog-friendly cafes around the UK and more people being allowed to take their dogs to work with them. 

Emotional Support Animals are essentials for many people to provide the comfort and support they need daily. If you’d like to learn more about ESAs and their role in people’s lives or to find out how you can help Emotional Support Animals gain the recognition they deserve, head to the Emotional Support Animals UK website to find out more. 

If you’re the proud owner of an Emotional Support Animal and want to give them a little support back, check out our fantastic range of dog supplements, so you can love them well for less. 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.