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They say dogs are man\u2019s best friend. From the very beginning of recorded history, dogs have been there beside their masters, protecting them and keeping them company. This still holds true today more than ever\u2014as emotional support dogs pose a measurable benefit to mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking of getting an emotional support dog, you might be wondering if certain breeds are better than others in this line of work. Before we get into that information, though, it is good to remember that there is an exact definition for<\/span> emotional support dog<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAn emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that, without training, provides their owner with therapeutic benefits. Such emotional support can include alleviation of anxiety and panic attacks and offering companionship when the owner is in a depressive episode. The owner of an emotional support animal must receive a prescription from a licensed health professional that states he or she needs one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Note that an emotional support animal is not the same as a therapy dog or service dog, but if you have an emotional support animal, it is often exempt from some no-pet policies that are prevalent in apartments. It might not be as efficient as having a doctor\u2019s note saying you need a service dog, but if you have a prescription for an emotional support animal, most facilities can\u2019t just bar you because you have a dog.<\/span><\/p>\n If you can get an emotional support animal prescribed by a licensed health professional, you will enjoy the health benefits of having a pet intended to alleviate any emotional or mental disability you might have. Also, an emotional support animal has rights that ordinary pets will not have. Among these rights are:<\/span><\/p>\n Remember always to have a doctor\u2019s letter that prescribes your emotional support animal on hand. Some unsavory people pretend that their pets are emotional support animals to save some money or circumvent restrictions on pets. In fact, there are so many of them that many business owners and landlords will no longer accept a claim that a pet is an emotional support animal at face value.<\/span><\/p>\n As stated, an emotional support animal is not just some pet\u2014it is a medically approved form of therapy. Just because you own a pet and you want it to be an emotional support animal doesn\u2019t mean it will be so. You need to meet specific criteria to obtain a prescription from a licensed health provider to classify your pet as an emotional support animal.<\/span><\/p>\n In simple terms, the applicant must suffer from emotional or mental illness. Among the qualifying diseases are:<\/span><\/p>\n If you have any of these conditions, you may qualify for an emotional support animal. Visit a licensed therapist for a consultation to begin the process. They can provide you with a letter to support your claim.<\/span><\/p>\n While dogs tend to make some of the best emotional support animals due to their emotional intelligence, that doesn’t mean they’re the only choice. In fact, plenty of other animals make great ESAs, so don’t be afraid to adopt a cat or any other type of animal that makes you feel comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the best emotional support animals tend to be:<\/span><\/p>\n These are only a few options and you’ll find the best part about ESAs is that they can be any animal. The only requirement is that they’re well-behaved, don’t damage property, and don’t impose on others.<\/span><\/p>\n Virtually all dog breeds can give their humans emotional support, but some excel in this role more than others. These are dogs who are well-behaved at home and in public, have a laid-back personality, and a gentle spirit. These traits are ideal to perform the job of an emotional support animal, and they are more common in certain breeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are five ideal candidates for an emotional support animal:<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t let the name scare you\u2014the pit bull is a gentle animal. Its poor reputation comes from unfortunate incidents where the dog received no training or worse, was trained to do bad deeds in fighting rings in the past. Most pit bulls are friendly, devoted dogs which will be ideal for providing emotional support.<\/span><\/p>\n Labradors are great as emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, and mobility assistance dogs. They are a devoted breed eager to please their owners. Thus, it is no wonder that many doctors prefer this breed as the animal of choice for an emotional support animal.<\/span><\/p>\n Retrievers are ideal emotional support animals for people who suffer from depression or dysthymia. They like to go outdoors and are an active breed, so the owner will likely have to accommodate the dog\u2019s wishes and go out to see the world now and then. They are also highly trainable.<\/span><\/p>\n Corgis aren\u2019t just great for the fact that Queen Elizabeth considers them her favorite breed. They can also be magnificent emotional support animals because they are affectionate, intelligent, and can take to training rather well.<\/span><\/p>\n Like the Labrador, the corgi is, surprisingly, an active animal that wants to go out and exercise. The tendency to want to exercise will work wonders for anyone who would like a good reason to be more active themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n Since the above two picks are active dogs, let\u2019s try a dog that wants to stay home\u2014Chihuahuas. Their small size and apparent vulnerability make the owner of a Chihuahua emotional support animal want to care for and protect them. Thus, they are ideal for those whose emotional problems stem from a lack of trust and empathy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A Chihuahua, by its appearance, needs a lot of love and care. Many owners begin to view them like small children. As such, they can be a great fit for those suffering from loss-related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n Moving on from a tiny dog to one of the most imposing commercial breeds, a German shepherd is a large and intelligent companion. Their role as shepherds has trained them to be kind. They are hard-working and eager to please humans with whom they love interacting.<\/span><\/p>\n The German shepherd is a very active dog, and it will challenge its owner to move about and be active as well. When properly trained, the German shepherd is an excellent outdoor companion, but there should be an emphasis on being adequately trained because shepherds are guard dogs by nature.<\/span><\/p>\n While we covered the best emotional support dogs already, you’ll find that there are plenty of other good breeds that you can choose. Some of our honorable mentions include:<\/span><\/p>\n These are only a handful of great breeds and you’ll find that just about any breed will work as long as they bring <\/span>you <\/span><\/i>emotional comfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your emotional support animal is not a service dog, so it does not require extensive training. You do want to invest in basic training that allows your dog to be in public places without incident, though.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An emotional support animal must not cause harm or disturbance to anyone in public or when traveling. Essentially, any reasonably trained dog with an even temper can qualify as an emotional support animal.<\/span><\/p>\n Although not required by law, you should still consider spaying or neutering your emotional support animal to prevent it from exhibiting aggression that comes with heat or being around a female dog in heat.<\/span><\/p>\n As mentioned, due to the unfortunate abuse of emotional support animal benefits, many establishments are starting to doubt the validity of claims regarding emotional support animals. You will want some form of proof, such as an ESA letter from US Service Animals.<\/span><\/p>\n Your doctor\u2019s letter is the official documentation that states that you are a person who was prescribed an emotional support animal and that your dog is not just a pet.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Rights of an Emotional Support Dog<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Can I Have an Emotional Support Animal?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What Are the Best Emotional Support Animals?<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Best Breeds for Emotional Support: The Best ESA Dogs\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
American Pit Bull Terrier<\/b><\/h3>\n
Labrador Retriever<\/b><\/h3>\n
Corgi<\/b><\/h3>\n
Chihuahua<\/b><\/h3>\n
German Shepherd<\/b><\/h3>\n
Other Good Emotional Support Dogs\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Training Requirements for an Emotional Support Dog<\/b><\/h2>\n
Registering Your Emotional Service Animal<\/b><\/h2>\n