Emotional Support Animals

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS EMOTIONAL(ESAs)

SUPPORT ANIMALS

WHEN YOUR PET BECOMES A LIFELINE

Anyone 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, 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.

BENEFITS BACKED BY RESEARCH

In her 2012 book, Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling, author, Cynthia K. Chandler provides scientific evidence of the therapeutic value of a wide array of animals – including rabbits, birds, cats, horses, and of course, dogs. She cites several research studies which have shown that simple interaction with ESAs have important psychophysiological and psychosocial benefits. These include a sensation of greater calm, less loneliness, the normalisation of the heart rate and blood pressure, reduced depression, and enhanced social engagement and interaction. What makes an ESA necessary, is their humans’ dependence on them. In the U.S., there is no federal law that requires facilities other than housing to grant entry to ESAs. That is, businesses and institutions are free to establish their own policies regarding this issue. However, businesses with a 'no pets' policy are not allowed to deny entry to a person with a service animal. Service animals are considered working animals, not pets.

TRAINING ESAs

Even in the U.S., no special training is required for a pet to be considered an ESA. By contrast, service dogs such as guide dogs are subject to rigorous protocols. Of course, ESAs are often trained to perform specific actions — including standing on the back of someone having a panic attack to soothe them, or sitting next to someone who is in the throes of depression.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN THE UK?

In the UK, ESAs are not recognised as certified assistance animals. In other words, the rules and exceptions that apply to service animals (such as guide dogs) do not extend to ESAs. This means that people with anxiety, schizophrenia, or depression, could find that they are denied housing if they have an ESA.

FIGHTING FOR CHANGE

Across the world, people are starting petitions (check out the petition Make Emotional Support Animals UK Legal on Change. org) and pushing the need for legal reform so that ESAs and their owners can have more rights. After all, mental health is a disability. Many people with issues like agoraphobia or panic attacks would quite simply be unable to attend an appointment at the doctor’s, go to a family wedding, or travel without their beloved pet by their side.

ARE ESA’s RECOGNISED IN SPAIN?

Sadly, Spain, like the UK, has a long way to go when it comes to enabling people to fully harness the benefits of support animals. The Comisiones Obreras Union (CCOO) and the Pepos Andalucía Association are pushing for legislation that will allow support dogs to be taken everywhere their human goes – including flights, some types of rented accommodation, and public places. These organisations highlight the benefits of ESAs for women who have been victims of gender violence. Dogs can be specifically trained to protect endangered and traumatised women if needed, thus boosting their confidence.

TEMPERAMENT MATTERS

If you have an emotional support dog, it is vital to invest in behavioral training so that your pet is well socialised. In the U.S., courses like the Canine Good Citizen Program and varied testing by Pet Partners can serve as a type of personal ‘guarantee’ that your pet is ready to accompany you to more places. On the Coast, there are various schools and veterinarians that offer puppy socialisation and behavioural training classes. Chandler argues that requiring a standardised animal temperament may be a reasonable approach that will enable dogs to access all public areas. e