What Having an Emotional Support Dog Means to Me

Like full-fledged service animals, ESAs are about freedom and health for people with disabilities.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

I have a friend whose panic attacks are so severe that they once triggered a seizure. Sonja was, understandably, hesitant to travel — afraid that the little stresses along the way would turn into a big medical emergency. That is, until a small, friendly dog named Montecristo entered her life, helped her manage that anxiety, and, in her own words, “gave me back the joys of travel and being off medication.”

My own story is similar. When I met my dog, Luna, I was in the throes of a deep and dangerous depression. My doctor put me on antidepressants because I wanted to die. I don’t think I would have harmed myself, but I had started secretly hoping that the universe would do the job for me. That a bus would hit me or I’d accidentally overdose or simply that I’d be allowed to exit the earth quietly and gracefully, to just erase myself.

Then there was Luna. Tiny, curious, energetic Luna, whose joy over playing with a hand towel was immense and contagious. Luna made me laugh when no one could make me laugh. The simple act of petting her eased the pressure in my chest, the impending panic attack.

Luna didn’t erase my depression. I wasn’t magically better from that day on. But she gave me moments of joy, pinpricks of light at the end of the tunnel where I hadn’t seen any before.

The most important thing Luna did for me, though, is make me stop thinking about dying. Because even on the very darkest, hardest days, Luna needed me. I was responsible not only for my own life, but for the life of another — another that I loved desperately and who needed me just as much as I needed her.

I did a thousand other things to pull myself out of depression, to make life better, to learn to love myself, to learn to manage my anxiety. But Luna is the one thing that could always get me out of bed and to work, even when I wanted nothing more than to sleep forever.

Both Luna and my friend’s dog are emotional support animals (ESAs), a title that, in the United States, gives us a few benefits: First, that no U.S. landlord can deny us housing with our dogs and, second, that U.S.-based airlines must allow us to fly with our dogs in-cabin with no fee.

Because of these benefits, ESAs can draw a lot of criticism. I’ve heard people say that if we’re such big babies and can’t fly without our pets, maybe we shouldn’t fly at all. Other people say that we should pop a Xanax (why is medication always the answer?). Still others roll their eyes and call us fakers, selfish, system-players. They don’t believe that there is such a thing as an invisible disability. I’ve even been called a “twat.”

Which is why I want to tell my story, why I want you to know how Luna saved me, why I want you to know that I might not be here today if Luna had not entered my life. There’s a big misconception in America, that ESAs are for people who get nervous in flight. That people need to man up and just face their fear of flying.

But that’s not what ESAs are.

Just like full-fledged service animals, ESAs are about the freedom and health of a disabled person. They are about allowing someone with an invisible disability the same freedom — to visit their families, move across the country, or simply find a place to live — that is afforded to people who have never had to experience the depths of depression or anxiety attacks that led to seizures.

Because of her dog, my friend has traveled the world, sailed in the Mediterranean, and been able to stop taking medication.

Because of my dog, I am not only alive, but am living my life to the fullest. I travel the world. I own my own business. I’ve found ways to make my anxiety and depression smaller, more manageable, and hopefully someday gone altogether.

Just like therapy, doctors, medications, exercise, massage, etc., ESAs are a tool to manage an invisible disability. These dogs (and cats) have changed a lot of lives. In ways much bigger than you could imagine.

So, as I have many times before, I send a whispered thank you into the sky for Luna and all the dogs (and cats) like her who have made life possible, bearable, and even joyful for those of us who struggle. And I hope that by telling my story, I can start to create just a little more clarity, compassion, and understanding about what ESAs really are and how very much we need them in the world.

Do you have an emotional support animal? How has he changed your life? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more about dogs with Dogster:

Read more by Gigi on ESAs and traveling with your dog:

About the author: Gigi Griffis is a world-traveling entrepreneur and writer with a special love for inspiring stories, new places, and living in the moment. In May 2012, she sold her stuff and took to the road with a growing business and a pint-sized pooch. You can follow her adventures at gigigriffis.com or friend her on Facebook.

1 thought on “What Having an Emotional Support Dog Means to Me”

  1. Any pet owner will tell you that living with a pet comes with many benefits, including constant companionship, love, and affection. It’s also no surprise that 98% of pet owners consider their pet to be a member of the family. Not only are people happier in the presence of animals, but they’re also healthier.
    For the longest time, emotional support animals have always helped people with autism, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This, of course, has always helped people function better in their everyday lives. A support system offers you a solution to your mental disturbances, and this is where an ESA proves to come in handy. I was not really aware of these benefits but then I was diagnosed with depression which required me to get an emotional support animal and I came across this article https://esacare.com/adopting-emotional-support-animal-guide/. It is a complete guide and through this, I got what I needed and I am much happier now. The process was very simple and I didn’t have to stress much about it. ESA is much different from service animals because it is not trained for a specific purpose. I guess this provision of ESAs was a brilliant and helpful move for all people needing emotional support. Like it can be any animal. Dog, cat, or guinea pig. The basic thing that matters is these animals fill that emotional void in life.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Dogster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.

Current Issue

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.

Related

Follow Us

Shopping Cart