ESAs And Children

Adults and Parents often overlook emotional and psychological disorders in children. It is being reported that anxiety disorders affect one out of every eight children by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. It is troubling when children encounter symptoms of anxiety because it affects them in social situations where they are still learning and adapting to the world around them, which may be detrimental to their growth in the future.

To counteract this, there are many benefits to getting an ESA pet for a child or young adult. These companion animals are prescribed by licensed medical professional in order to help combat the detrimental effects of the disorders. There are many types of animals that one may have as an ESA, but regardless of the type, they are there to alleviate symptoms of disorders.

Instead of having your child take a bunch of medicine, it may be more beneficial to get an Emotional Support Animal. Here is a list of steps to take and what you should expect when looking into an ESA for the younger ones.

Obtaining an ESA

In order for a pet to be listed as you Emotional Support Animal, you must go through a few required steps. The person in question, who would be a child, must be assessed by a licensed medical professional to have an emotional, psychological, or behavioral disorder. This is not limited to one specific disorder, but may consists of a spectrum of disorders, including anxietya nd depression. If the person is diagnosed with a disorder, then they are able to be protected by the federal law of the U.S.

Once a person is diagnosed, then the physician may prescribe the child an Emotional Support Animal in lieu of or to complement other forms of treatment. On an official letterhead, the licensed medical professional will state the diagnosis the child has received and the reason why they need an ESA. With this prescription letter, which will designate an official pet to be an ESA, they child is set to choose their animal. (Remember, that the ESA does not need any formal training, but must be a non-hostile animal.)

ESA Benefits

Emotional Support Animals are tasked with alleviating symptoms of multiple psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorder. This is no tall task for the animal. But studies have shown that the love and affection that pets provide allow the person to go about their day without any detrimental effects. Social disorders, anxiety, and depression have all been combatted in children by the use of ESAs.

Another thing of note is the use of Emotional Support Animals to help children with autism. In studies conducted with pediatric nurses and children, there is a strong correlation of child bonding with their pet, which allowed for greater social skills outside of that bond.

Picking the Correct ESA

Since there is no formal training for a person to put their ESA through, there is no limit to which type of animal you may have as your companion. There have been instances of turkeys, snakes, and horses being labeled as Emotional Support Animals. But since children may be a little more fragile, it is important to choose the right type of ESA when picking one out for the young one.

Many of the ESAs today are domesticated house animals. This includes dogs, cats, and fish. Since these animals have a lot of different temperaments, it is important to select one that take the child’s sensitivities into account. A small but energetic dog or cat may be very beneficial due to the activity level and size. If the child is a bit bigger, you may opt for a bigger ESA, provided the temperament fits the family needs. Labradors, Saint Bernards, and Pomeranians have all been seen as good dogs to have for an ESA.

Final Thoughts

If you have a child that has been diagnosed with a psychological, emotional, or behavioral disorder, it is a viable option to get an Emotional Support Animal. If you need any more information on the subject, you can look at the FAQ’s on our website.