Animals are a huge part of our lives in many ways, and some animals are trained to help us through difficult times. Dogs are especially beneficial to our mental health and well-being. You’ve likely heard of service dogs or emotional support animals, but have you heard of a therapy dog?

In Illinois, individuals with an official emotional support animal (ESA) can live and travel with their ESA without fear of denial or additional charges.

There are many ways that people with mental or physical illnesses seek treatment. Taking certain medications and seeing a psychologist are a couple of options. However, one of the unique therapies is a type of trained canine – therapy dogs.

From rabbits to snakes, Emotional Support Animals can come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Although dogs are the most common choice, almost any type of animal can qualify, as long as a licensed mental health professional has agreed that your pet is helping you to cope with a mental health condition.https://www.esaregistration.org/

Emotional support animals are a massive help for many people. The world can be overwhelming, and having a familiar companion makes it a little easier to handle.

ESA's are not the same as service animals and are subject to different regulations than trained service dogs. However, they have some rights regarding pet policies and similar rules, such as those in place in certain condo associations.