I thought I'd share a little about my Emotional Support Animal (ESA), Bandit, and how he helps me manage Anxiety, Autism, ADHD, PMDD, OCD Tendencies, and PTSD. This one eyed, three teethed, sassy, 12 year old Puggle, offers me the stability and support, as well as headaches and deep sighs, I didn't know I needed. I made it official end of 2024 by talking with a qualified healthcare provider, in this case my Therapist, about the process. In one visit they evaluated my mental health needs for an ESA and in the same day I received a written letter stating Bandit is necessary for my mental health.
Below are some Pros and Cons that factored into
Pros of Having an ESA:
Instant Comfort: I have PTSD so sleep can be hard for me. I slept with a nightlight well into adulthood. Bandit sleeps with his butt to mine, covering my back so we can both have each other protected when we're vulnerable resting. I don't sleep with a nightlight anymore and my rest has improved with his protection.
Routine and Structure: Bandit licks me until I get up if I sleep in too late. He scratches the front door when he needs to walk. He even scratches his bowls when he's hungry or thirsty! I never trained him - he just came to me this way. His communication of needs holds me accountable and gets me out of bed (my hardest task of the day).
Emotional Support: Bandit is always there, literally he has separation anxiety, either sitting on my lap when I'm anxious, begging for pets when I'm disconnected, or cueing me it's bed time when it's getting late. His existence reminds me I'm not alone and we're there for each other when we need it.
Grounding: Having him nearby grounds me - when I'm stuck frozen in my head I can lose track of time. When he notices this he sits in my lap or lays next to me, getting me to feel his fur, his warmth, and his presence. He's brought me out of Flashbacks, Task Paralysis, and Anxiety/Panic Attacks multiple times.
Cons of Having an ESA:
Additional Responsibility: Taking care of my Senior Puggle can be time-consuming, especially during moments when I’m feeling overwhelmed with tasks. There's also a Financial Responsibility with his medication, care needs, and healthcare insurance. As well as restrictions to tasks or events that he cannot attend, and because of his own needs, he can't be alone so he has to be with someone at all times.
Public Perception: Sometimes people don’t fully understand the role of an ESA, leading to confusion or judgment. Sometimes I get odd looks when I have him in his backpack, walking up and down the grocery aisles. It's also a factor with work and can affect the hiring process unfortunately since he's not hypo-allergenic.
Not a Replacement for Therapy: While Bandit is a huge support, I have to remember that he doesn’t replace or fix anything! He's not a prescribed drug or therapeutic treatment, he's a dog that I'm responsible for.
Travel and Housing: He requires a seatbelt with a bed and blanket when driving, a TSA approved carry on bag (which can be costly), a specific weight to fly and if he doesn't meet it there can be more costs, and additional items for his needs (wipes, food, brush). He also sheds like he's paid for it. Including him in applications for housing can jeopardize my acceptance.
Having Bandit as my Emotional Support Animal has been life-changing for me in many ways, and while it comes with its headaches, the support and love he provides me by far outweighs the challenges.
If you’re thinking about getting one, consider adopting Seniors - they're often overlooked, full of life experience, and are often already trained.
Bandit came from Miri's Haven Senior Rescue Shelter in Va - if you're in the DMV check them out! If you're not, they accept Venmo donations and are active on Social Media with Pupdates, great memes, and solid vibes.