Exploring The Differences Between Service, Emotional Support, And Therapy Animals

The article was created thanks to BetterHelp’s involvement.

Many people understand how much joy pets can give them, since owning any kind of pet is a wonderful experience . On top of their basic skills, add unique abilities, and pets are even more important in life. These types of animals help people in different ways, but they can all greatly benefit a person’s life . Here, we intend to differentiate these animals from each other and uncover how they can uplift and cheer up everyone working with them.  

What Makes Service, Emotional Support, And Therapy Animals Different

All three types, service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals, give different positive effects . Between them, some aspects that occur differently should be acknowledged. In the next paragraphs, we will look at what animals do and how people benefit from their help .

  • Service Animals : A service animal is custom trained to help someone with a physical, medical or mental disability. It might mean observing if someone is experiencing symptoms of seizures, sudden panic attacks, and severe low blood sugar; among others. They can access most places, including those where animals are typically restricted (like the grocery store , a restaurant , an airplane and so on). Since these animals serve a vital function for people’s health and general well being, being without them might put a person’s life at risk. But there are still some exceptions for this case.  
  • Emotional support animals are present to give comfort to humans . Such strategies may help individuals who struggle with depression  anxiety  and different types of mental health issues . Anyone who may feel alone or socially cut off can find assistance from owning an emotional support animal .  On the other hand, they do not have the same rights as service animals because they serve a different function . That’s why they are not permitted in all the places humans are allowed in. 
  • A therapy animal or pet may help people in two different ways. They may meet pets and people, helping as companions in schools and nursing homes as well as at hospitals and other places. Animal therapy helps by using pets like dogs cats and horses to help people who suffer from mental health disorders. Such therapy is suited for people who find it tough to discuss their thoughts with their therapist. When an animal feels safe around, you, it gives them confidence to talk about their feelings and thoughts. For example, a mini goldendoodle can do well as a therapy dog, since it is both friendly and gentle.

As you notice, every type of animal is significant even if it brings a different benefit. 

Interested In Choosing An Exotic pet?

Even though it may sound enticing, an animal or pet is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, you should still wonder if you can afford and care for a pet, as well as provide for its needs . 

The kind of animal you select will probably mean taking care of vet visits, feeding the pet, supplying water often, and providing outdoor areas and toys. Owning an animal can get expensive and take a lot of time, so you should be prepared for that before deciding to get one, since animals usually bond with their people very quickly . Check that you are not making a sudden choice to get a pet, but you have thought it through carefully beforehand .  

Conclusion

They are strong beings because they can help us stay healthy and happy even if we do not have much else to give them . They are by our sides as friends, protectors, and in some cases, healers, giving us comfort and peace all the time. Support from emotional support animals, assistance by service animals, or help from therapy animals all have something important to offer lucky people around them . 

To see if one of these animals would benefit you or your loved ones, it helps to know their role and function in life. Animals are living creatures too, and we should make sure to give them love and respect as they are looked after. They may suit certain people, but they can positively affect someone.