Pet owners know how exciting to play fun games with animals. Studies have proved that spending time with animals actually help people get off mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, etc
Swedish scientists have discovered that dog owners are less likely to experience cardiovascular disease or other illnesses that cause death.
In the United States, the federal government has provided pet owners who are mentally disabled with special benefits—fly and live with their pets by getting ESA Evaluation Letters
This article sheds light on what does an ESA (emotional support animal) mean, and what’re the health benefits of having a pet at home.
What’s an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a support animal that according to expert doctors provide health benefits to people suffering from a mental health condition or emotional disorder. Any animal can be an ESA, but dogs and cats being the most common ESAs.
To qualify for applying an ESA evaluation letter, you must be diagnosed by one of the psychological disabilities such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or major depressive disorders.
Health Benefits of Having an ESA
It’s good for the heart- Having a dog at home can help you improve your heart health. Researchers have found that spending time with animals can be beneficial for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These are some of the major contributors to cardiovascular diseases, and ESA owners have lower risks of getting heart attacks.
Reduces stress- Compared with prescription medications, animals provide better stress-relieving effects. And, they don’t have any side-effects. Petting a dog or cat, taking it out for a walk can help you alleviate stress and enter in a better state of mind in minutes
Researchers have found that people involved in stressful activities perform better when they’re with animals.
Improves your social life- Animals are more than just companions for traveling, exercising, etc. They can help you open up with strangers and have a better social life. Also, living with pets can help you put you at ease when it comes to talking to new people in your neighborhood.
According to studies, pet owners are more extroverted than those who don’t own pets. People open up quickly and interest in sharing their own stories when it comes to conversations about dogs or cats.
Maintain a healthy body weight- According to health experts, adults should do an average of 2.5 moderate exercise to stay fit and healthy. And, people who have dogs at home do more than that. Thus, getting a pet is a cost-effective option than paying for the gym fee.
According to a 2017 study, older adults who walked with their dogs were fit and had lower BMI, and fewer problems in doing their daily activities and fewer doctor visits.
Provide emotional support- ESAs are proven beneficial for managing a variety of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, etc. For example, when visiting a new place for the first time, you may experience anxiety. But, when you’re with your four-legged friend, chances are less that you don’t worry about anything else.
Conclusion
Animals can be used as alternatives to prescription medications for anxiety, depression, stress, and many other mental health conditions. After a stressful day at the office, when you spend time with your emotional support dog, it provides ultimate relaxation and increases energy levels. Researchers have found that petting dogs and cats can make people more social, healthy and live their lives to the fullest.
To avoid the common pet restrictions in housing and air travel, apply for ESA evaluation letters at licensed mental health practitioners.
My ESA Doctor 