I received an email with a request to discuss how animals can help with mental health problems. To better explain this, my long term friend Makyla who has had an emotional support dog for her depression, agreed to share her experience with you all.

“When you first meet my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) you might question exactly what he is there for. He is high energy, rambunctious and loves people; the exact opposite of me. Which is why him and I are a perfect match. He forces out of me, everything my depression prevents. When the idea was first born by a friend of mine, I will admit, I was not exactly on board, however, a few pictures and a phone call later had me convinced. The next thing I knew there I was, in the depths of my depression, making the best decision I have ever made. Training a puppy can be a daunting task, even more so for a person with anxiety and/or depression. I always recommend going through a rescue agency such as Paws for Cause before deciding on what works best for you. An adult dog can also make for an unbelievable companion (and plus, they are usually potty trained!).

Having an ESA is also about having a routine. Routines help break the cycle of depression and give you specific goals each day. I usually engage in at least an hour of vigorous/stimulating exercise with my pet once a day, including running at a park or playing fetch. This helps tremendously with the release of endorphins, which in turn help with lifting my mood. And James – the best personal trainer I have ever had, never lets me miss a day.

Pets can be a great addition to any household but particularly they do wonders for mental health in so many ways. You will never come home to a dog and have them not excited to see you. And as simple as that seems, no matter how bad your day was or how deep your depression cut you this time, petting a happy dog makes things just a bit better, even if it’s for a little while. I specifically got James because of my lack of mobility and my suicidal thoughts – when I was in the deepest part of my depression, planning and mapping out my suicide attempts, the reason they always fell through was because no matter what, no matter where I went, James was always beside me, with a big goofy tongue hanging out, oblivious and happy.

I, later on, realised that James had the ability to apply deep pressure when I get emotional or full of anxious thoughts. This means that if he notices me crying, or breathing heavily with my head between my legs, he actively tries to break those uncomfortable behaviours. In one way, he will climb on top of my lap and lay there for me to hold (hugs apply deep pressure and help slow breathing) or will break my hands away from my face and lick me until I seem calmer. Dogs are natural healers and body language readers, so often they can end up engaging in these behaviours without training. It has been six years, and he has still never left my side. I hope this helps you readers who are struggling with anxiety or depression in making the decision to enrich your life with a pet. My James saved my life, I hope you too can find a furry friend to change your world.

Although Emotional Support Animals do not have to be trained by an agency (it is considered that simply existing as a companion is what aids their owners), they must have a thorough understanding of basic obedience & must be well socialised, especially if you plan on taking your pet into public spaces. ESA’s must also be vetted by a psychiatrist, which helps regarding any issues with housing and travel. However, even if you don’t have a psychiatrist to officially call your pet an ESA, you can still access these online resources that can help you train your animal to help you with your own mental health:

Beginner’s Guide to Service Dogs

Facebook Groups:
Service Dogs for Invisible Disabilities
Owner Trained Service Dogs (OTSD)
Train Your Service Dog With Confidence (Positive Reinforcement Training)”