Dogs and cats come to mind when you think of a therapy animal. But a chicken? That’s a new one on most people!

The benefits of, say, a guide dog or a dog trained to assist with specific tasks in the home are easy to understand. Still, chickens can be a powerful therapeutic tool for those battling isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

When most people think of therapy animals, their mind immediately goes to dogs. While dogs can make great therapy animals, service dogs, or even emotional support animals, they're not the only species that can positively affect humans who need it.

Ducks. Alligators. Peacocks. 

These are just a few of the many animals claimed to serve as emotional support animals (ESA). Perhaps some of them do, but others are suspect.

Emotional support animals provide essential services to their owners. These well-trained animals can provide an important buffer that aids their owners in interacting with the world beyond areas where they feel comfortable.

An emotional support animal (ESA) can be an excellent way to help cope with an emotional or mental health condition. However, you'll need to get a letter if you want to qualify to register your pet as an ESA in Massachusetts. Obtaining an ESA letter ensures that your pet gets all the rights granted by the state and federal governments.