How Owning an Emotional Support Dog Can Reduce Stress

If you’re a homeowner, you’ll agree that nothing beats the joy of coming home to a welcoming pet. Their true affection and loyalty will take away all your sorrows and turn you into a bubbly being. 

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The usefulness of these animals is even more pronounced when they offer emotional support to the sick, disabled, and the elderly. Research findings have shown a correlation between emotional support and the well-being of patients. 

To emphasize the importance of emotional support dogs, the United States government established an organization to deal with the registration of the support dogs. This article will elucidate the role that these dogs play in stress management. 

What are Emotional Support Dogs?

These are pets that have been conditioned to comfort people by offering them companionship and unconditional support. They are particularly essential among individuals living with chronic illnesses and the elderly. 

However, these animals do not require any formal/specialized training. As such, they are not allowed access to some public places except in the following situations:

• When the Owner is Flying Out. In most cases, a doctor may recommend that the patient travel with their emotional support pet. Their presence and love is therapy enough to aid the owners in stress management
• They Qualify for No-Pet Housing. The owner will have legal protection to move into a neighborhood that does not allow pets. However, the owner must have a physician letter ascertaining that the pet is aiding in managing the patient’s medical condition. 

If you want to enjoy all the privileges of owning an emotional support animal, you should ensure that you register it with the dog registry organization. 

ESA Pets to overcome Stress

Why Emotional Support Dogs are Important in Stress Management?

A survey conducted by the Human-Animal Board Research Institute showed that 74% of pet owners reported significant improvements in mental health. Additionally, 54% of the participants reported enhanced physical fitness resulting from the emotional support animals. 

If you’re wondering how a mere pet can have such immense health benefits, then this section will answer your question.

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How Emotional Support Dogs Reduce Stress?

• Improves Your Mood

When you have a caring dog around, it’s almost impossible to be in a foul mood. The lovely creatures have a charming way of making you happy. Their eye contact and innocent look will always warm your heart!

A study conducted to show the effect of pets on stressed university students showed that their stress level reduced significantly after interacting with the animals. 

Emotional support dogs will offer unconditional love even when situations are difficult. The thought of having a caring and non-judgmental friend beside you can be therapeutic! 

It will keep you happy amid your problems and even improve your problem handling ability. It helps you to approach your issues with unmatched calm, thus increasing the chance of a positive income. 

• Helps in Blood Pressure Management

If you’ve been around a hypertension patient, you’ll understand why the patient needs a stress-free environment. Small stressors can quickly escalate into a full-blown medical problem if immediate intervention is unavailable.

As such, the best way to manage hypertension patients is by eliminating stressors from their environment. To achieve this, some physicians will prescribe emotional support dogs. Yes! A doctor is legally allowed to prescribe animal therapy to manage their patient’s conditions. 

Research published in Cardiovascular Risk Health Policy showed a direct relationship between emotional support animals and cardiovascular health. 

According to the findings, individuals living with these pets had lower cortisol and high oxytocin hormones. The hormonal combination is ideal for stress reduction and adequate blood pressure management. 

Symptoms of Stress

• Improves Physical Exercise

When you have a pet around, you’re likely to be more physically active than an individual without it. In most cases, you’ll find yourself taking a walk with your pet and moving up and down as you play with it. 

These movements are enough exercise to eliminate stress. You’ll burn more calories and sweat to eliminate waste products from your body. Consequently, you can be sure that you’ll be more stress-free if you have an emotional support dog around you.

These pets are particularly important for the elderly and individuals with mental disorders. The exercise will help you keep your joints active while reducing stress and anxiety. This way, you can be sure that you’ll have an easy time managing your conditions. 

• Offers Companion and Social Support

Loneliness has numerous adverse health effects. If not well managed, it may lead to stress and depression! 

As such, you should always ensure that you have a companion for social support. Interestingly, pets may offer more support than friends since they are not judgmental and they offer genuine love. 

If you’re experiencing loneliness or you’re going through mentally disturbing situations, you should consider keeping an emotional support dog. 

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Bottom Line

If you’re looking for therapy that will take away your stress and anxiety, then you should consider owning an emotional support dog. 

These animals offer unconditional love and their presence will always stir joy. As such, you can be sure that you’ll have a sense of contentment around them.

If you need any emotional support, then ESA Care will guide you through every step. Book an appointment now and talk to a professional!

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