The Science Behind Emotional Support Animals and Whether They Work

Anyone who has ever known the love of a pet knows the deep bond that forms between human and animal. Animals have long been used to help disabled people with daily tasks, though most people think of guide dogs when they think of service animals that assist those with disabilities. Those with mental health and emotional issues such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression are now using emotional service animals. Are they glorified pets or legitimate animal heroes? Read on to make an informed decision for yourself.

Sarah Smith, 22-years old, is a United States Marine police officer with an anxiety disorder that medication could never quite squelch. When a trip to a pet store turned out to be the one place that held the answer to her anxiety issues, she discovered that emotional support animals (or ESAs), might look a bit different from the typical dog or cat. “On a trip to the pet store I came across an African Senegal parrot, and we just clicked,” she says. “It wasn’t long after that I noticed that my new parrot, Zoboomafoo, was very intuitive and could tell when my anxiety was high or I was having a panic attack. He would sit on my shoulder and offer me kisses, whistles of encouragement, and provide me with distraction until my heart rate came back down and my anxiety was under control,” she explains. Though there is currently no way to officially register an ESA, Smith was able to get an emotional support animal letter from a mental health practitioner to allow Zoboomfoo to travel with her. “He gives me the boost of confidence I need to get through a crowded store or drive in the rain and dark,” she says. He flies with her too, staying with her through the airport and siting on her lap during flights. “Something that once caused me extreme stress is now just a trip with a trusted friend,” she says.

The Benefits of ESAs

The overall physical and mental benefits of living with an animal have been known for years: Animals are good for us. According to Psychology Today, studies have shown that owning a dog reduces blood pressure, lifts and prevents depression, slows the heart rate, and reduces muscle tension. It is easy to see why those battling mental and emotional health issues would want to keep their animal companions by their side as much as possible. Smith is certainly not alone in her appreciation for her emotional support animal. According to the huffingtonpost.com, the number of ESAs assisting owners on flights has increased ten times in California after the state’s Department of Travel softened its regulations regarding them. While California is ahead of the curve, there is no official government database for emotional support animal registration. Laws regarding the rights of ESAs to go to public places with their owners differ from state to state.

ESA Rights Vary from State to State

Many companies are taking advantage of the absence and creating sites that claim to be the official database, providing registration cards and ESA identification vests for a fee. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA, ESAs are not considered service animals as they are not trained for a specific task to assist a disabled person. If an emotional service animal is trained to provide comfort to its owner by performing a specific task, this might then be considered an exception to the ADA’s rule. Emotional support animals do have the right to live with their owner in all circumstances, however, even if a landlord has a policy that does not allow pets. Though some may argue whether an emotional support animal should have the same rights as a trained service dog, one thing that most can agree on is this: the bond between animals and humans is beneficial and meaningful, and we can thank them for being a source of positive energy in the lives of those that love them. Just ask Smith and Zoboomfoo.

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Prepared to Be Amazed: Sampson Is the Smartest Donkey You’ll Ever See

When the young donkey Daisy May came to us through a foster home that rescued her from neglect, even her hooves were curled up. By the looks of her growing belly, I thought she might be pregnant. With no prior donkey experience, I was unprepared for what might come next.

After a difficult labor, Daisy’s baby was born. I thought the poor thing was dead. I planned to put the loss behind us and make sure she never got pregnant again.

Just then, I heard a gurgling noise. I couldn’t believe that baby was breathing and blinking his big brown eyes at me! We called him Samson, and of course I became his mother as much as Daisy was. I prepared to bottle-feed him, but Samson quickly found his natural food source. Thank God! This new mother was going to bond with her baby.

At first I didn’t know if the baby was a hinny, mule, or donkey. I consulted an expert and learned that a mule has a horse tail, and a hinny has small horse ears. Samson has a donkey tail and just look at those long donkey ears!

That was 11 years ago. Since then, Samson has grown up surrounded with loving companions. I had to separate Daisy and Samson for a few hours a day when he was nine months old to wean him, but otherwise he goes wherever she does. I think she would be lost without him.

His donkey stepdad Bernard taught him to always be ready to have fun. They enjoy playing football together and wrestling in the dust on a hot summer day.

I asked an Amish man to customize a harness for my three little donkeys. When I brought it home I taught them one by one how to pull a cart. Samson watched and freely tagged along next to Daisy. When he was three, I put the harness on him and he knew exactly what to do.

Last winter, I wondered how Samson would feel about dragging a plastic sled behind him with me sitting on it. No problem at all—away we glided across the snow.

The most exciting thing about Samson is that he has become a little famous. People come from all over to see him perform. The neighbors bring their grandchildren, my nieces bring their friends, and once a group from a nursing home came by.

Samson shakes hands, unties my shoe, picks up a glove or hat, plays peekaboo and more.

And when I ask him if he has any bad habits, he tries to pick my pocket! He miraculously learned these tricks himself. I just ask him to do them and he understands.

I always thought Samson was pretty spectacular, but I shouldn’t have been surprised at his talents. After all, there is an account in the Bible that a donkey talked with God’s help. And the Lord chose one of these faithful beasts to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. At Christmas, we remember it was a donkey that carried Mary into Bethlehem.

The relationship I have with my “baby” Samson has been an amazing experience. Every day is a fun day with this superstar donkey.

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9 Precautions to Keep Your Dog Safe on Halloween

Use Battery Operated Candels

Candles help create a spooky Halloween ambiance, but they can also be a safety hazard, says Ashley Jacobs, CEO of pet care company Sitting for a Cause. “Avoid the risk of your dog accidentally knocking over a jack-o-lantern with a real candle inside it and consequently causing a fire or getting burned by instead opting for battery operated candles,” she suggests.

Keeps Dogs Inside

There’s too much going on during Halloween to safely keep your pup outside, Jacobs says: “Halloween can be dangerous for pets left outdoors due to the ‘trick’ part of ‘trick-or-treat.’ Keep your pets safely inside away from pranksters who may take advantage of your pup when he or she is unattended outside.” Here’s what trick-or-treaters are really thinking when they come to your house.

Don’t give out chocolate

It’s a childhood favorite, but chocolate and dogs is a dangerous combination. In fact, the ASPCA says that the methylxanthines in chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or death in dogs. To combat this danger, Nick Braun, founder and CEO of Pet Insurance Quotes, not only removes the chocolates from his son’s trick-or-treating bag right away, he doesn’t even hand out chocolate at his home. These are other toxic foods for dogs you should avoid.

Keep your dog away from the door

Even if your dog loves visitors, it can be hard to predict what he or she will do as your constantly open the door for trick-or-treaters. Georgette Wilson, DVM, veterinarian for Hartz, says that an open door can be an invitation for a scared or curious dog to dash outside. “Pet owners should ensure that their dog has a safe place in the house away from the front door,” she says.

Be careful with costumes

Although adorable, pet costumes can pose a hazard to dogs. “If you decide to dress your pet up in a fun Halloween costume, make sure it is comfortable, flame resistant, allows for normal movement, and does not block the pet's vision,” Wilson says.

Don’t take your dog trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treating might seem like a fun family activity to you, but your dog might view it differently. The Humane Society of Missouri says dogs might become difficult to deal with as you’re walking around, leading to a lost dog or even a dog who’s bitten someone.

Reconsider your seasonal plants

Plants can make the holiday more festive, but make sure you know which are toxic to dogs. Place any potentially hazardous plants on higher surfaces where your dog can’t reach, recommends Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter in Texas.

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Common Dog Training Myths That Could Hurt Your Puppy

Forget about being a ‘pack leader’ or thinking that treats will spoil your dog. Here, celebrity dog trainer Zak George reveals some surprising truths about how to train your dog.

Myth: Dogs are domesticated wolves, so you need to establish yourself as pack leader

Truth: Dogs are not wolves, but unique animals predisposed to learn very advanced concepts from human beings. We likely first selectively bred today’s domestic dogs at least 15,000 years ago to cohabitate with us, provide companionship, and perform certain tasks such as hunting, herding, or alerting us when a stranger is near. To ignore the human influence in the domestic dog reflects a failure to acknowledge why the modern dog even exists at all. Yet many mainstream dog trainers seem to completely disregard this central point in favor of using methods that undermine the intelligence of our dogs.

Also, these trainers are basing their philosophy on an archaic understanding of wolf behavior that has been discredited by researchers who study wolves extensively. For instance, renowned wolf expert L. David Mech refuted the “alpha” wolf concept. When wolves are randomly placed in confinement together, they do fight for resources; however, that happens only when these animals are in a very unnatural environment. “Wolves in the wild—the wolves that our dogs descended from—get to the top of their pack merely by maturing, mating, and producing offspring,” says Mech. “In fact, leadership roles are simply parental roles. The pack is actually a family social structure, a lot like human families.”

Any training ideology that relies on your being a “pack leader” or an “alpha” instead of a loving parent to your dog is fundamentally flawed from day one.

Myth: Domination is the only way to get a dog to listen

Truth: Real teaching is about communication, not domination. Our goal when teaching a dog should be not to make a dog do something by forcing her into submission, but to make a dog want to do something. Trying to dominate your dog by yelling at her, flipping her on her back in an “alpha roll,” or using certain collars designed to create discomfort or pain will only greatly hinder both your relationship with your pet and the training process. Such training focuses on teaching what a dog shouldn’t do rather than what she should do. These tactics could even undermine your dog’s trust. Furthermore, your dog will not behave consistently when you take those special collars off or don’t use forceful methods.

On the other hand, positive training works with virtually any dog. In fact, if you have a dog with aggression issues, studies have shown that using forceful methods will likely make the behaviors worse. One study in the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior found that confrontational methods such as striking dogs, intimidating them, alpha rolls, and staring them down often led to an aggressive response. “When you use confrontational methods, you are just making yourself more threatening and increasing your dog’s motivation to use aggression against you,” explains Meghan Herron, DVM, lead author of the study and director of the Behavioral Medicine Clinic at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s like fighting fire with fire.”

Myth: Once you use treats, your dog will never listen without them

Truth: Your dog will learn to listen without treats, but you’ll probably need to use them longer than you intuitively might think, possibly up to six months after she first learns a behavior. However, we’re talking about your dog knowing a skill completely. For her to do that, she’ll need a lot of repetition and have to practice under various circumstances. Say your dog sits for you when you are home alone even if you don’t give her a treat, but when you take her to a park where there are lots of distractions, she doesn’t. That’s because dogs don’t generalize well. In fact, the single biggest thing you can do to throw your dog off is to change her environment or other variables. When you do, you’ll need to reteach her that skill or trick in the new environment.

Once you think your dog knows a skill completely, don’t just cut out the treats cold turkey. Instead, follow the principle of intermittent reinforcement. Dogs really excel when you randomly reward. Perhaps give a treat for a particular behavior, then skip the treat the next two times your dog does it, and then treat three times in a row. Eventually your dog will learn to generalize the behavior without a treat.

Myth: Dogs can’t understand that much, so speak in very simple terms

Truth: Most trainers advise you to keep your phrasing very simple and limit your requests to one word at a time. There’s certainly validity to this when introducing a brand-new concept like “sit,” but there’s nothing wrong with evolving your language after the first few weeks of basic training. Of course, you can still use one-word requests, but saying “Sit down please,” “Have a seat,” or whatever else you want to say to your dog can actually help broaden her vocabulary. Research has clearly shown that dogs can have a huge vocabulary, comparable to a toddler’s. The average dog can learn at least 165 words, while highly intelligent dogs can learn 250 words, or even considerably more. (One Border Collie named Chaser holds the current known record, at more than 1,000 words!)

There’s no need to dumb down your grammar. If your dog is barking, for instance, you can abandon phrases such as “No bark!” Instead, use proper grammar by saying “Stop barking please,” and teach your dog your language as you would teach a young child. Feel free to speak in a way that comes naturally. You’ll be shocked by what your dog can understand. Can your dog read your mind? Here are 13 astonishing things your dog might know about you.

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Secrets Park Rangers Want You to Know Before Your Summer Trip

From excellent deals to cautionary tales, these tips and tricks will leave you perfectly prepared for a trip to the national parks.

People will do anything for a picture

A tragic accident that happens surprisingly often: People pose as if they’re falling off a cliff for a photo but then actually fall off. These gorgeous national park photos will leave you awestruck.

Go beyond the overlooks

No matter which park you’re visiting, walk at least a quarter mile down a trail. You’ll get away from the crowds and experience a completely different perspective.

Stay put if you get lost

The more you move around, the harder you are to find. If you can’t reach us on your phone, spread out brightly colored clothing.

We do a lot more than lead nature talks and campfire sing-alongs

Rangers make arrests, fight fires, search for missing hikers, conduct public health inspections, manage wildlife, and watch for suspicious characters and fugitives.

Here's how to skip summer crowds

To avoid crowds during busy summer months, check out Death Valley instead of the Grand Canyon, Kings Canyon instead of Yosemite, or Capitol Reef instead of Zion.

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New Puppy Checklist: 14 Things You Need to Buy for Your New Dog

These new dog supplies will help make sure your dog stays healthy and happy as she eases into her new home.

You need: Dog crate

The biggest mistake new pet parents sometimes make is not sufficiently controlling the environment of their new dog. A dog crate can be a convenient way to help you do just that for short periods, particularly with housetraining. Durable plastic crates are easy to clean and perfect for traveling. Wire crates are another option—they offer more ventilation and a full view, and you can cover them with a towel at night to create a cozier atmosphere. Look for a crate that is easy to open and close and just large enough that your dog can stand up and turn around in it easily. You might also consider getting an oversized crate with an adjustable divider panel so that you can slowly expand the room your dog has as she grows and also begins to understand that she shouldn't do her business in the crate. Here are the first 5 things to train your puppy.


You need: Baby gate and puppy playpen

A gate and a playpen can assist with supervision: A gate prevents your dog from entering rooms you don’t want her to go into, while a playpen allows her to run around and play in a confined area. Gates are also essential for blocking staircases. Keep one up until your dog is at least six months old and can navigate the stairs on her own. Choosing a gate that’s durable and made of a material other than wood. Make sure no openings on the gate are large enough for the dog to stick her head through—she can wind up getting stuck or strangled. As for a playpen, make sure it is sturdy and that your dog can’t chew through it or climb out of it.


You need: Bowls

Your dog will need at least one bowl for food and one for water. Get a few extras so that you can wash them every day and easily swap out a dirty water bowl with a clean one. Did you know a dog bowl is dirtier than a toilet seat? Stainless steel is your best bet because it’s durable and won’t chip. Heavy ceramic is another option, but make sure it doesn’t contain lead, which can be toxic to your dog. Avoid anything with dyes, and stay away from plastic if possible—some dogs are allergic to it while many like to chew on it, and pieces might splinter off.


You need: Food

Find out what your dog has been eating at the place where you found her and buy a small bag of that food. Suddenly switching from one food to another can cause diarrhea (just what you need with a dog who isn’t housetrained yet!). When it’s time to change foods, Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution goes into more detail about how to choose the right one for your dog, or get advice from your vet or pet store.


You need: ID

If your dog were to run away and get lost, an ID tag that hooks onto your dog’s collar can be the key to reuniting with her. It’s up to you what the tag says; at least include your phone number so if someone finds your dog, they can contact you. Some people opt to also include their name, address, their dog’s name, and other identifying details.

You need: Collar or harness

Your dog will need a collar right away to hold her ID tag and eventually her rabies tag. At first, just pick up a simple adjustable nylon or leather collar that buckles together. You should be able to slip only two fingers under the collar. For safety reasons, take the collar off when your dog is in her crate. While a collar is essential for your dog’s ID tags, a harness is also great for most dogs for general control, safety, and training—especially for puppies eight months and younger, small breeds, those with short noses such as Pugs and Boxers, and dogs with thin necks such as Greyhounds. Choose one that’s easy to get on and off.

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Signs You Love Your Pet Way Too Much

You immortalize them

here's nothing like carrying your dog around you where ever you go, even when they're not present. A tat of your pet is the best way to let everyone know just how you feel about them. Here are 50 secrets your pet won't tell you.

You leave them everything

If Rose Ann Bolasney meets an untimely, mysterious death, we know who the first suspect will be: her pet Maltese terrier Bella Mia. The 61-year-old New Yorker told the Daily Mail that, upon her death, she’s leaving more than a $1 million inheritance to her dog to ensure that she’s “taken care of in the way that she’s used to.” See for yourself how much she dotes on Bella.

You give them tough love

Throw into the air the four letters that make up the word "pets" and chances are that when they land they'll spell "pest." Our pups chew, pee, howl, and in short, drive us nuts, often without consequence. As every parent knows, discipline is important, even if it includes public shaming on social media. These are the first five things you should train your puppy

You put them in the dog house

Dog houses built by La Petite Maison range in price from $9,000 to upwards of $75,000, depending on style, size, and architectural details. The example here is not from their catalog. We cannot afford to even photograph one of those houses let alone buy one. This dog cabin is more our style.

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12 Foods You Didn’t Know Could Kill Your Dog

Grapes

Grapes are a simple healthy snack for humans, but they are toxic to dogs. Eating them can make your pooch vomit or lose his appetite. If your dog shows signs of diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, or tremors, his kidneys could be failing. And yes, raisins are just as bad.

Onions

Cooked or raw, onions contain thiosulphate, a substance that causes your dog’s red blood cells to burst in a condition called hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, breathlessness, and lethargy; it could take two to four days for them to become noticeable. You also put your dog at risk if you give her certain foods that are made with onions, like pizza or tomato sauce, which could trigger the same reaction.

Coffee and Tea

These drinks—and really any form of caffeine—can give animals hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms, hyperthermia (increased body temperature), and seizures. A few laps of spilled coffee won’t poison your dog, but ingesting moderate amounts of coffee grounds and tea bags can kill small dogs.

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