[CHAT]: Emotional Support Animals
I think most of us can agree pets play a significant role in most people’s lives, but what about those people who heavily rely on animals for their everyday emotional wellbeing.
If you have ever had any experience with an emotional support animal and/or a therapy animal, or you simply want to learn more about them come and join the conversation!
On Monday the 24th July at 7:30pm AEST we are going to discuss emotional support animals and therapy animals, what they do and share our experiences with them.
To me, an emotional support animal's job is to be there for their human friend. To love and help care for them. Generally just being an awesome pet 🙂
What is the job of an emotional support animal to you?
I think an emotional support animal can also help to take the edge of the distress that we might experience during a tough time. They're a living breathing coping and distraction mechanism. Sometimes the best thing we can do when the scary thoughts or the bad feelings come through is just to find something to help us get through it in one piece, and hopefully even not think about it too much if we can. And emotional support animals are amazing in that they give that gift to people 🙂
*Sports announcer voice* Aaaaand our third question of the night is: What animals do you think make the best emotional support animals?
Take it away, everyone!
Hey @j95! Welcome to the chat! I am hoping to hear all about the doggos!
I think any animal can - dogs, birds, cats, rabbits, horses,
@RevzZ yep I've heard that too, something about their purring somehow encourages us as humans to breathe slower or something. 🙂
Hello!
sorry, I'm trying to get used to the new site. It's cool!
Btw, i'm training my puppy to be a support dog. So hopefully in the years to come... 🙂
@basketfullofmonkeys that sounds awesome. How was it volunteering with the service?
I think @Bree-RO Summed it up beautifully!
I think they can also provide some laughter - especially with their antics and their playful nature. I really have no idea what else!
the next question is:
What are some of the benefits of emotional support animals?
@Sarah7714
What are some of the benefits of emotional support animals?
Besides everything. I truly think animals are natural healers, non judgemental, and full of love and ongoing companionship. They provide purpose as well, a reason to get out of bed. 
So true @Bree-RO!!
I also think their unconditional love and affection is great. They don't talk back or judge you and can usually sense if something's wrong (at least my dogs do)
I actually sued to do volunteering for an organisation that provided service dogs to ex-ADF members suffering from PTSD. It's actually a super recognised way of improving psychological health! 🙂
