You’ve probably watched some action-packed films about war. If so, you already have an idea of the extreme stress our soldiers undergo. Coming home, many of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which leads to different mental health conditions. They are the ones in need of emotional support dogs as war veterans are more prone to different kinds of mental health issues. Retiring or resigning from their military service, takes a lot from them to reconnect again- physically, emotionally, and mentally.

What Is An Emotional Support Animal for Veterans?

Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are animals whose mere presence provides support and grounding to their owner. ESA are not just limited to dogs although it's one of the most popular species. But ESA could also be a cat, rabbit, or even a horse. Unlike service dogs which require a special kind of training to be of assistance to their owner, the presence of ESA is enough.

These animals have these soothing effects on veterans who are suffering from mental health conditions. These can be people suffering from learning disabilities, phobias, depression, and attention deficit disorder. In addition, ESA is not required to have specialized tags, IDs, or uniforms to let people know that they are emotional support animals.

Understand the Benefits of Emotional Support Dogs

Being exposed to different conditions of war, our soldiers tend to suffer not just physically. Their emotions are altered, as well as their mental state. Thus those who are suffering from sleep disorders, panic attacks, insomnia, and other mental health conditions would benefit greatly from having ESA, specifically dogs. Below are just some of the benefits you can get from having an emotional support dog.

Keeps you physically active and encourages you to move. Some are suffering from depression and refuse to move and just let the hours go by. By having a dog around, you are not only provided with support through its presence but somehow it makes you feel obliged to walk your dog around.
It calms you down and improves your mood. Try brushing your dog’s fur or just gently comb through its fur, you won’t realize it but you’ve spent more than 30 minutes doing that. Just by combing your dog, your body feels more relaxed and your mind is calmer. Owning a pet can greatly improve the veteran’s mental condition.
Encourages you to socialize. With an emotional support dog around, you will feel reconnected and no longer isolated. You will also be more confident in talking with other people or much more eager in attending gatherings. You don’t isolate yourself any more.
Makes you sleep better. Having flashbacks and nightmares are just a few of the causes of why veterans find it difficult to sleep. With the ESA dog around, you feel less tense and secure. With a relaxed body and mind, falling asleep becomes less challenging.
Reduces tension, stress, and anxiety. The war may have brought tremendous stress to our veterans causing them to feel intense fear or anxiety at times. The calming effect of ESA dogs helps in reducing the amount of tension they are feeling.

Determine if You Qualify for an Emotional Support Dog

If you want to know whether you are qualified to get an ESA dog, you need to get yourself checked first to determine if you need one based on your mental state. Common conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others. These conditions can significantly impact a person's daily life and emotional well-being. However, to determine eligibility, it is crucial to consult with a qualified mental health professional who can assess your specific needs and recommend the appropriate course of action, which may include an emotional support dog.

Steps In Getting An Emotional Support Dog As A Veteran

Are you a veteran wanting to get an emotional support dog for yourself? If so, follow the steps below.

If you are suffering from a mental condition or depression and think of having an ESA dog, get a consultation from a physician. You can also get yourself checked by some of the mental health care providers.
Get certification from these medical professionals (psychologist or psychiatrist) of your current mental health state. They would be the ones confirming if you need an emotional support dog.
Once you have an ESA letter, that’s the only time that you can start searching for a dog.

FAQs

What are the Best Breeds for Emotional Support Dogs?

There are plenty of dogs you can choose from as emotional support animals. You will have to consider the canine’s characteristics and overall temperament. At Stokeshire, we have been breeding dogs designed to provide emotional support. Some of the breeds you can consider are:

These dogs are known to be calm, affectionate, and gentle breeds. In addition, they are intelligent and can easily be trained. Take note that each breed of dog has different levels of affection. Research should be done to determine which breed suits you best.

Emotional support dog vs service dog: What’s the difference?

It is important to have a clear understanding of what ESA and service dogs are. ESA dog is an animal whose presence alone is enough to provide help and support to the veteran. Once you have secured an ESA letter, it means that you can have the dog with you inside your house so long as you meet the federal definition of being disabled. It does not matter whether the landlord restricts having animals inside the property. In addition, this also means that you are spared from paying extra fees just to have your ESA dog accommodated in your rented property.

Service dogs, on the hand, are those who undergo specialized training so they can provide support and training to their owner. For example, if a veteran is just about to have an extreme panic attack, the service dog will alert him and guide him to sit and grab a breathing bag. Or it could alert him to take his medication right away.

How many emotional support dogs can I have?

In most cases, one ESA dog is enough. But as long as you have certification and other documents, you can get an additional ESA dog. There are no restrictions as to how many ESA you can have as long as it is in line with the law.

Where do I get an emotional support dog?

Here are some of the places to check if you are interested in getting one.

Animal shelters
Reputable Breeders

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How much do emotional support dogs cost?

The cost of having an ESA dog varies depending on the breed that you are going to get, its size, and its personal needs. The cost could range from around $150 to $1500 or more. Consider the expense when you are thinking of getting an ESA dog because the financial burden might add more stress for you.

Where can I bring my animal?

You can bring your animal on travel as long as you have certification from your doctor or the mental health provider that’s treating you currently for your medical condition and the ESA letter. Make sure the certification is not one year old as you might need to get a newer one. If you are going to take a plane ride, make sure to do some research as airlines no longer allow ESA to board for free. Though this might be applicable on some airlines only, better check before traveling.

In Conclusion

Emotional Support Dogs are a gift to any veteran suffering from mental health conditions. If you know someone who might benefit a lot from having an emotional dog around, connect with us. We are more than willing to assist you with the process. We’ll also offer a consultation so you’ll have a better grasp of why having ESA dogs is beneficial.

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