Do you have a dog or cat that you love dearly? Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of having a dog or cat, but never had the means to do so. Well, if you can afford it, why not add your furry friend to the family?
Some people choose to keep their pets outside of the house, while others prefer to bring them inside with them. Either way, there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration before bringing home a new pet. For instance, if you’re considering getting a dog or cat, you should consider whether they will be compatible with other members of the family. If you already have children, you’ll want to find out whether they like cats or dogs because, depending on what type of pet you get, you might be dealing with different kinds of behavioral issues.
If you decide that you would like to adopt a pet, then you will also need to consider whether you will be able to provide proper care for him or her. This is especially important if you have allergies or asthma.
While many people dream of adopting a pet, they don’t realize that there are requirements that must be met in order for your pet to qualify as an emotional support animal (or E.S.A.). In this article, we’ll discuss what qualifies as an E.S.A. and how to go about getting your pet certified.
What Qualifies a Pet As an Emotional Support Animal?
Before you sign up for any kind of therapy service, you should first understand what it entails. An E.S.A. is someone who helps another person who is suffering from mental health disorders. These disorders include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and more. These types of disorders often cause people to suffer from mood swings and extreme emotions. E.S.As are trained to help alleviate these problems.
In order for a pet to become an E.S.A., they must undergo training. The training involves learning how to interact with people who are going through a difficult time emotionally. The goal of this training is to ensure that your pet doesn’t experience similar feelings of helplessness when faced with someone who suffers from a mental illness.
To become an E.S.A., your pet needs to complete a certification process. There are several steps involved in this process, which includes passing a test, completing a background check, and having your pet evaluated by a veterinarian. Once all of these tasks are completed, you’ll be able to officially register your pet as an E.S.A.
How to Get Your Pet Approved to be an Emotional Support Animal
Getting approved as an E.S.A. takes quite a bit of work. It’s not something that you simply apply for online and receive approval within 24 hours. The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
Once you complete the first step of the certification process, you’ll need to schedule a meeting with a therapist. Your therapist will ask questions about your life, your job, and your relationships. They will also evaluate your pet and determine whether he or she is suitable to assist people with emotional disabilities.
After your appointment, your therapist will give you feedback about your pet. If everything checks out, they will then refer you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will conduct a series of tests on your pet to ensure that he or she has no adverse reactions to being around people who are experiencing emotional difficulties.
During this part of the certification process, your pet will also be given several interviews with a psychologist. The psychologist will observe your pet’s behavior and interview him or her about his or her thoughts and feelings. After all of this, the psychologist will issue an official report stating whether your pet is a good candidate for becoming an E.S.A.
There are several steps involved in this process. While it isn’t incredibly long, it does require a lot of patience. However, once you complete this process, you’ll be able to legally claim your pet as an E.S.A.
Pros and Cons
E.S.A.’s have been used for years to help people with various emotional challenges. While they are beneficial for those who use them, they aren’t without their own set of pros and cons.
Pros
- Some people who use E.S.A.’s have reported feeling less anxious and depressed after using them.
- Pets are generally easier to train than people.
- Many people who use an E.S.A. enjoy spending time with their pets.
- Because E.S.As are usually small animals, they don’t pose much of a threat to people.
Cons
- People who use E.S.A.s sometimes feel guilty about having their pets around them.
- Sometimes people who use E.S.A.’s don’t want their pet to leave the house.
- Pets who are used as E.S.A.’s may not be able to fulfill their owners’ social obligations due to their schedules.
- It can be expensive to pay for services provided by an E.S.A.
Requirements for Having an Emotional Support Animal
The main requirement for having an E.S.A. is that your pet must meet certain qualifications. Before you can get an E.S.A., your pet must be at least four months old, weigh no more than 30 pounds, and be healthy. He or she cannot have any serious medical conditions such as cancer or heart disease. Additionally, your pet must pass a temperament assessment.
Your pet also needs to pass a screening conducted by a professional. During this screening, the professional will observe your pet’s behavior in a variety of situations. At the end of the day, the professional will either approve of your pet or reject him or her based on his or her observations.
The best ways to take care of your E.S.A.
When you bring a new pet into your home, you are responsible for making sure that he or she gets proper care. This includes feeding and grooming your pet.
It’s also important to remember that you shouldn’t try to act like a child when caring for your pet. If you treat your pet like a baby, you won’t be able to provide the right amount of care for him or her. Instead, you should treat your pet like an adult.
You also need to make sure that your pet receives regular exercise. This means taking him or her on walks, taking them to the park, or letting them run free in your yard. If you don’t give them any physical activity, they will develop bad habits and become destructive.
Conclusion
Everyone deserves to live a happy and fulfilling life. That said, it’s important to remember that everyone has struggles that they deal with every single day. Mental health problems are only one of those struggles, but they can be very debilitating.
An E.S.A. can help people with these problems. However, you need to know that getting certified isn’t easy. You’ll need to put forth a lot of effort and time in order to make this happen.
However, once you get certified, you will be able to have your furry friend join you in your daily routine. This will allow you to spend more time with him or her and improve your relationship with each other.
If you decide to get a pet, you may also consider getting an emotional support animal. However, this is not as simple as signing up for a service.