What Breed Should I Get for My Mental Health Service Animal?
Your mental health is always important, so why not consider getting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to help with your problems? Dogs are wonderful creatures who will love you through hard times, so consider finding your furrever friend today! Here are some breeds that are great ESA dogs.
What Should I Look For In A ESA Dog?
Your ESA pup should be friendly, easy to train, and able to keep you safe! They also should fit your lifestyle. For example, if you’re a walker, your pup should love going outside and running around! If you’re an indoor type of person, consider smaller dogs who don’t need exercise.
And as for any pet goes, they should love you as much as you love them!
- Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkshire Terriers, or “Yorkies” are perfect pups for anxiety sufferers, and can live in mre cramped living spaces. They enjoy cuddling on their owners lap, and with constant affection, they will form a tight knit bond that will last through any hardships and anxieties. As a bonus, Yorkies are hypoallergenic, making their accessibility increase for those with allergies.
However, when thinking of adopting a Yorkie as an ESA animal, you must be aware that they have incredible amounts of energy, and if you cannot give them constant attention, they may overwhelm an unwitting dog owner.
- Bulldogs
While Bulldogs look cranky and intimidating on the surface, they are in reality some of the most gentle dogs you can have. As a result, this gentleness makes them a good candidate for your ESA, as they are fond of simply sitting next to their owners most of the time.
However, as a downside, pitbulls require significantly more exercise than other dogs. If your anxiety is triggered by going outside often, a pitbull is not the best option for you. However, on the other hand, a pitbull may encourage someone to get over this anxiety.
- Labradors
Labs are large pups who are super energetic and excitable! This breed will definitely be able to cheer you up when you need some happiness in your life. This breed is also known to be incredibly easy to train due to their intelligence! Labs are also a people’s dog, as they’re known to get along with nearly everyone, including new strangers and children.
Labs are overall a great large breed, but they are big dogs that need exercise and are not hypoallergenic. This dog may not be the right breed for you if you’re not big on going outside!
- Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers, commonly called Goldies, are very similar to Labs. They are very intelligent, and easily trained. They do require a lot of exercise,but that can be put to positive use, as getting out of the house and focusing on a specific activity can work wonders in treating anxiety.
If you cannot do constant exercise with your pup however, a Goldie may not be the best option for you.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
These pups are MASSIVE. First and foremost, if you don’t have enough space, do not consider the Bernese Mountain dog as your ESA. However, if you do have the space, a Bernese is friendly and easy to train, despite their size. They are often considered helpful for dealing with anxiety attacks due to their weight and sturdy presence.
- Wirefox Terriers
Wirefoxes are small pups that are super fluffy and lively! They are loyal to their family, and are known to be just as intelligent as they are energetic. They’re known to be both dependent and independent, which means they’re able to be left at home, but as soon as you come home, they’ll demand attention!
These pups have curly hair, which means they shed less, but also require some grooming!
- Poodles
Poodles are small hypoallergenic pups who love attention! They’re also great with kids, super social, get along with new people, and can get used to new surroundings. Overall, poodles are a great small pup, great for ESA work! They’re also easy to train, as they’re one of the most intelligent pups around.
The only downside to this pup is that they’re rather high maintenance, and need daily grooming. If you’re used to taking care of these pups, this breed is right for you!
- Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington is a medium-large dog that has curly fur, and is known to be rather loyal and goofy. They are energetic, much like labs and goldies! They also need a lot of exercise, so if you’re a walker, this pup is right for you! Bedlingtons always want to stay right at your heels, so they’re wonderful companions. Despite their fluffy fur, they rarely shed, as long as they get brushed!
They are very outgoing pups, so they may need a lot of interaction with humans or dogs. They’re also fun to train, as they’re alert and ready to listen to you!
- Basenjis
Basenjis are quirky pups who are known for a lot of interesting physical details as well as a fun personality! Their barks are described as almost yodels, and tend not to make too much noise. Most people even describe these pups as being very expressive due to their human shaped eyes. They’re even seen to be grooming themselves like cats! Their fun traits make these pups lovable.
Basenjis are a medium sized pup that are a rather introverted breed. They are a little hard to train and love to get into trouble, but they’re extremely loyal and are known to do anything to cheer their owners up!
- Corgis
Corgis are adorable little pups, famous for being the Queen of England’s dogs! They’re a herding dog, meaning their stubby legs are meant to keep sheep together. Not only are they cute, they have a loyal personality and an even temperament.
This pup is right for you if you’re an indoorsman, since corgis tend to only need yard exercise. They’re perfect for helping you stay out of trouble, since it’s what they were bred to do!
Find the pup that’s the best match for you! Almost all dogs are trainable over time, as long as you have the patience and care for them. Always be sure your pup lives a similar lifestyle as you do!
