There are an increasing number of pet owners who wish to certify their animals in a service capacity, often for emotional support. There are various levels of certification, from a professional guide dog, to emotional service animals. These are commonly referred to as working dogs.
While they are not as rigidly trained as guide dogs, companion and emotional support animals, must be permitted to enter a number of public venues just as disability service dogs would be and they can also be something other than a dog. Here are some distinctions between a registered companion animal and one used for emotional support.
Registered Companion Animals
This class of companion animal is almost exclusively dogs. The level of training and the skill difficulty are simply too difficult for other types of pets to master.
A dog that has been rigidly trained to meet the strict criteria of a skilled companion animal
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Oddly enough, this category does not necessarily have to be a dog at all. A cat, horse, rabbit, guinea pig, or any other type of trainable animal can qualify in this class of support animals.
To qualify for an emotional support animal certification, you must have a prescription written by a licensed therapist. You will need to prove that you require this animal be in your presence in situations where you have to cope with everyday stress. Common conditions that warrant the use of a full-time support dog are; depression, bipolar disorder, hallucinations, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, or behavioral personality disorder.
These are three of the most common classifications of emotional support animals, and while many are dogs, they do not have to be. If you experience any of these issues there are individuals who can professionally instruct you on the steps you need to take to secure the necessary certifications for a companion