Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide support and therapy to combat certain mental health conditions. Under the U.S. Federal law, you need a prescription signed by a licensed mental health professional to qualify for an ESA. Dogs are great emotional support animals.
An emotional support dog breed offers comfort, companionship, and therapeutic benefits to their owners. Emotional support dogs can help ease the symptoms of any emotional or mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to research by the American Psychiatric Association, around 85% of dog owners reported that their pet had a positive impact on their mental health. However, it is worth mentioning that emotional support dogs do not require specific training like service dogs.
Do you want to adopt a psychiatric service dog? Here is the list of 9 popular therapy dog breeds.
Emotional Support Dog Breeds
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If you want a companion dog that perfectly fits in your lap, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the right breed for you! Looking like a real-life stuffed animal, this dog is perfect for snuggling. Their compact size and soft, silky coat make them a good family dog.
Personality Traits
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a charming personality, an affectionate nature, and a gentle temperament. They form strong bonds with their humans and enjoy companionship. Spaniels have the ability to harmonize with human emotions and, therefore, make excellent emotional animals.
Their expressive eyes, droopy ears, and flat faces will melt your heart. It is a relatively low-maintenance breed, but it does not like being left alone. Therefore, they are the best for pet parents who have a lot of time and attention to give.
2. Golden Retriever
Just like their name, Golden Retrievers set a “gold standard” when it comes to emotional support. They have a gentle nature and are easy to train. Having a calming presence and an ability to develop an emotional connection with humans, they are suitable for a wide range of individuals and lifestyles.
Golden retrievers can be trained as service animals to assist individuals having disabilities such as mobility issues, autism, or hearing problems. Sadly, AKC reports that emotional support dogs, unlike service dogs, are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Personality Traits
The golden retriever is a high-energy breed. You can take them on leisurely walks and outdoor play sessions. Their size makes their owners feel protected. Their obedient and loyal nature makes them the right dogs for individuals in need of empathy.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds, known for providing emotional support to their owners. Their instinct to sense emotions and provide unconditional love to their humans makes them excellent therapy dogs.
Labrador retrievers resemble Golden retrievers a lot in appearance. But, Labs have a relatively shorter coat, which is easier to maintain. Plus, Golden Retrievers need more attention while Labs have an independent nature.
Personality Traits
Labs not only provide therapeutic benefits, but also offer support to distressed humans. Their friendly disposition, adaptability, and keen intelligence make them well-suited for different households. Labrador retrievers can be a perfect companion for individuals who spend time outside the home.
4. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are yet another emotional support animal known for their small size and big personalities. Shih Tzus have flowing coats, expressive eyes, and a royal Chinese origin. They are well-behaved canines that can thrive in smaller spaces.
Personality Traits
Shih Tzu’s loving nature and ability to form strong bonds with their owners make them great therapy dogs. They are prone to getting separation anxiety. These little pups prefer being around people and love seeking attention. So, if you are going through emotional ups and downs, consider keeping a Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzus are ideal service dogs for individuals with mental and psychiatric disabilities. They are extremely intelligent, highly trainable, and perfect for cuddling.
5. Pug
Pugs are the little dogs with smooshed faces, expressive eyes, and floppy ears. They are low maintenance and do not need too much exercise. If you are looking for a snuggly canine buddy for emotional support that can easily travel with you, pugs are yet another option.
Personality Traits
Pug pugs are popular for their playful and charming personality. Their affectionate nature brings happiness and comfort to their family. They have a knack for companionship and can uplift your mood and emotions.
Their outgoing and compassionate, and love seeking attention. However, pugs are brachycephalic and vulnerable to developing breathing issues. So, ensure you do not take them to hot places.
6. American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as American Staffy, also makes it to the list of emotional support animals. Don’t get fooled by its robust features and muscular build, this dog breed is highly sought-after for its loving and warm nature.
Personality Traits
American Staffy is a devoted dog with the ability to form a deep emotional connection with humans. These gentle and compassionate dogs enjoy human attention. Due to these reasons, they have been used as therapy dogs in many depression treatment centers.
They are known as nanny dogs due to their unconditional love for children. However, American Staffordshire terriers can be a bit aloof towards strangers. Proper training and socialization can help you get rid of their natural wariness.
7. Bichon Frise
A fluffy fur ball on four legs, the Bichon Frise has a cheerful demeanor. Bichon’s playful antics can instantly lift your mood. Their playful sociable nature and a strong desire to please show that emotional support is in their genes.
Personality Traits
Bichon frises are friendly dogs known for providing comfort, emotional support, and companionship to their owners. This breed is incredibly affectionate and friendly with strangers.
Since they are extroverts, Bichon frise is ideal for individuals who love spending time outside. To travel or live with your Bichon Frise, you only need to contact a licensed mental health professional. They will provide you with an ESA letter without any extra charges.
8. Chihuahua
Key Features
Chihuahua is a versatile breed that can serve as a service dog as well as an emotional support animal. If properly socialized at an early age, chihuahuas develop a loving and gentle personality that provides comfort and support to individuals facing mental health challenges like loneliness or depression.
Personality Traits
Chihuahuas offer great companionship by keeping their humans engaged in playtime and snuggles. These are the small dogs and are perfect for travelling with their owners. Chihuahuas form close bonds with their favorite people and love getting attention and time from their family members.
Chihuahuas can provide emotional support without any training. But the handler needs to understand the Chihuahua’s temperament and handling requirements before choosing them as support dogs.
9. Cocker Spaniel
Do you know? Cocker spaniels are the best emotional support dogs for anxiety. This breed has an innate ability to sense when their human is feeling down or anxious. They will go out of their way to provide comfort, for instance, by hopping onto your lap for cuddling.
Personality Traits
According to PetMD, cocker spaniels are sweet-tempered dogs. They love staying close to their owners and make wonderful family dogs. They have a friendly personality and can be easily motivated by rewards.
Cocker spaniels’ small size makes them ideal for smaller spaces. If you are looking for a low-maintenance support dog, we recommend adopting this breed. However, they are highly active dogs that require 1-5 to 2 hours of daily exercise.
Conclusion
Emotional support dogs can be excellent companions for individuals suffering from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Many breeds, such as spaniels, retrievers, Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahua, and Bichon frise, make good therapy dogs.
But when you adopt a dog as an ESA, make sure to look after it. Proper attention and care help your canine buddy stay happy and healthy!
