ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY

------- Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure. Advocates of animal-assisted therapy say that developing a bond with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilize their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills -------

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When I was 13, I received my first service dog, Keno. Overnight, I went from hearing questions from strangers like, "What happened to you?" to "What's your dog's name? How does he help you?" On top of all of the practical, physical help he gave me, Keno changed the way people approached and interacted with me. They stopped seeing a broken object and started to see an interesting person with potential and individuality.

Alex Bright

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Qualifications

Emotional Support Animal: “must be certified as emotionally disabled by a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist or other duly-licensed and/or certified mental health professional.”

Service Dog: “must have a disability that substantially limits ones ability to perform at least one major life task without assistance.”

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Apply for a Service Dog

http://www.littleangelsservicedogs.org/apply/

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1 in 5 adults in the US suffer from a form of mental illness according to the National Alliance on Mental Health

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Service Dog vs Emotional Support Animal

A service dog is any dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. 

An emotional support animal is a companion animal that a medical professional says provides some benefit for a person disabled by a mental health condition or emotional disorder. 

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