Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide benefits to many different groups of people, suffering from a wide range of disabilities and types of emotional distress.
Emotional Support Animals for Seniors
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide benefits to many different groups of people, suffering from a wide range of disabilities and types of emotional distress. One group that has been shown to particularly benefit from the use of Emotional Support Animals are seniors.
Retirement. The loss of a long-term partner. Adjusting to life in a senior living facility. These are all difficult milestone that an increasingly aging population must inevitably deal with at one time or another. An ESA is an incredibly useful tool in order to combat the depression, anxiety and emotional trauma that these events can bring with them. Helping bring back some joy and purpose starts with emotional Support Animals for Seniors
So exactly how do Emotional Support Animals help seniors cope? Below are just a few of the many benefits that an ESA can bring to Seniors struggling with difficult times.
- Stress Relief
- Improved physical health
- Increased cognition
- Companionship
It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, and its never too late to make a new friend. An Emotional Support Animal provides immediate companionship and unconditional love for seniors. The service dog id card isolation of an empty-nest and general feelings of loneliness can lead to serious depression. Having a companion by one’s side at all times is a proven way to combat this.
Emotional Support Animals can even provide physical benefits for seniors. Having around an Emotional Support Animals for Seniors has been demonstrated to reduce levels of cortisol. Lower levels of cortisol reduce one’s chance of many serious health conditions and diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Registering Your ESA
Any breed can qualify as an Emotional Support Animal for seniors. Labradors and golden retrievers are particularly good brreds for seniors given their loving and affectionate nature. Smaller breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Corgis and Pomeranians also make great Emotional Support Animals for seniors, especially those living in smaller apartments or community living faciliaties.
The first step in qualifying for an ESA is to consult with a mental health professional, as you will require a letter confirming your need for an ESA.
The second step is registering your ESA so that you can demonstrate to third parties that your dog is a true and licensed ESA.