Understanding Service Animals

Service animals are specially trained dogs that assist individuals with disabilities, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, and mental disabilities.

Psychiatric service dogs are trained to support owners with mental illnesses like PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

These dogs perform tasks like reminding owners to take medication and signaling to stop harmful behaviors.

Trained Service Dog Performing Tasks

Psychiatric Service Dog in Action

Exploring Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals provide companionship and help alleviate loneliness, depression, anxiety, and phobias.

They do not require special training to perform tasks and are not considered service animals under the ADA.

A letter from a medical professional is typically all that's needed to classify an animal as an emotional support animal.

Emotional Support Animal Providing Comfort

Letter from Medical Professional for Emotional Support Animal

Benefits of Having an Animal

Petting an animal can lower blood pressure and heart rate, while walking a pet encourages daily movement.

Interacting with animals releases oxytocin, a relaxation hormone, and decreases cortisol levels linked to stress and anxiety.

Having an animal can improve mood, lower blood pressure, and foster connections with others.

Petting an Animal for Stress Relief

Oxytocin Release from Interacting with Animals