d LIFESTYLE pets
back to CONTENTS
WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
EMOTIONAL
(ESAs)
SUPPORT ANIMALS WHEN YOUR PET BECOMES A LIFELINE
A
nyone who considers their beloved pet as just another part of their family doesn’t need scientific studies to know that their beloved dog, cat, or bird, confers a host of benefits. The unconditional love that they provide, the way many of them ‘force’ us to spend more active time outdoors,
172 / AUGUST 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
and their ability to connect us with other human beings, are priceless. Emotional support animals (ESAs – mostly dogs and sometimes, cats, horses, and many other creatures) are considered pets, not service animals. However, for some people, they can be critical when it comes to functioning well on a daily
basis. To be considered an official ESA, an animal must be deemed necessary for a patient’s mental health. ESAs are officially prescribed by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists to aid with issues like anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, bipolar disorders, OCD, and agoraphobia.
