How to Choose the Right Type of Animal as an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals are undoubtedly a new treatment option for various health conditions. They can help treat depression, anxiety, stress, and many more. But can every animal be a good emotional support animal?

Most mental health professionals hesitate to prescribe an animal that is not friendly. Additionally, many people who need an ESA reject the idea because it can be difficult to handle an animal.

You must choose an emotional support animal to ease your symptoms, not make your life harder. So how do you choose the right type of animal for your emotional support? Before choosing an ESA, you should consider your lifestyle and your expectations with your ESA. Do you travel often? Will you need to leave your pet home alone for a long time? Try to be honest with yourself and make a list of expectations. Let’s dig into more details.

Why Is Choosing The Right Emotional Support Animal Necessary?

Choosing the right emotional support animal is necessary because different animals have different temperaments, personalities, and needs. A compatible animal can positively impact the owner’s mental health, while an incompatible one can have the opposite effect.

Moreover, ESAs are not just pets. They are part of a treatment plan for people with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. It is essential the animal’s temperament suits the owner’s mental health condition.

For example, a high-energy dog may not be suitable for someone with limited living space, while a cat may not be ideal for someone who needs a lot of physical interaction.

Emotional support animals are not guaranteed entry to public places. Still, if you want to go to shops, restaurants, and other public places, ensure your pet is friendly and well-behaved.

To ensure that the animal can fulfill its role as an emotional support animal, choosing the right type of animal as an emotional support animal is crucial.

How To Effectively Choose An Animal As Your Emotional Support Animal.

Consider Your Living Situation:

It’s no wonder some large dog breeds like Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound require large areas to live, while small dog breeds like a pug and Shih Tzu require less. So, it’s essential to consider your home size when choosing an emotional support animal.

Consider Your Personality:

Every person has a different personality. Some are active, while some are calm and cool. An active person wants an energetic animal that runs or plays with them actively, while a calm person may need low-key animals that can play with themselves or requires fewer walks. Consider your personality while selecting an emotional support animal, and choose according to your living.

Consult With a Mental Health Professional:

A mental health professional can help you decide which type of animal may be best suited to your specific mental health needs. In addition to helping you choose the right type of animal as ESA, a mental health professional can help you develop a plan for integrating your animal into your daily routine.

Research the Specific Breed or Species:

Different breeds or species of animals have different temperaments and needs. Some breeds have short temperaments and offently need personal space, which is unsuitable for an emotional support animal. Always research the breed or species to evaluate their temperament and personality to ensure they match you.

Consider the Animal’s Lifespan:

Some dog breeds, such as pugs and chihuahuas, have a shorter life span than other animals. It’s important to consider the animal’s lifespan when choosing an Emotional Support Animal, especially if you are looking for a long-term partner.

Consider an Obedient and Intelligent Animal.

A good ESA should be obedient and easy to train or learn. An easy-to-learn animal can help you quickly, which saves lots of time in learning basic things. An ESA should be intelligent enough to apply emotional help to the owner when necessary. Quick reactions are essential in cases when an emotional disorder occurs.

Consider a Budget-friendly Animal.

Some animals require several supplies, including training equipment, toys, and specific types of food packaging. Therefore, evaluating how much you should spend on your animal is essential to determine the breed that’s right for you.

A Friendly and Reliable Animal

If you want to be supported by your emotional support animal in public, it is important that your ESA behaves appropriately with strangers. Your ESA should be friendly towards both strangers and friends. Moreover, if you suffer from panic attacks or anxiety, your companion animal should remain calm and help you through your distressing situations.