COLUMBUS, Ohio — Pets are often great stress relievers, but certain animals are considered emotional-support animals.

An emotional-support animal (ESA) can be any kind of domesticated animal from a hamster to a dog. They are not given special training, but are considered a necessary part of someone’s emotional or psychological therapy. They can help with several conditions including anxiety, depression, or phobias. 

Despite often being used interchangeably, ESAs are not service animals. 

Service animals have extensive training to perform specific duties to directly aid someone’s disability. Cleveland Clinic Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers gave the example of a hearing-impaired person having a service dog to alert them to alarms or other auditory signals. 

One of the biggest differences between ESAs and service animals is where they are allowed to go. 

ESAs are allowed to move into apartments and dorms that everyday pets would not be permitted in. ESAs are not typically allowed in public areas such as planes, restaurants and grocery stores, while service animals are allowed in nearly all public areas.

According to Albers, emotional-support animals have incredible therapeutic benefits. She said just 15 minutes with an ESA can lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and increase happiness.

Only a licensed mental health professional can provide legitimate documentation that is necessary for an emotional-support animal. Albers said there are many scams online that will try to sell certifications. However, documentation, she says, needs to be part of an ongoing treatment plan. 

Albers said pets that are easy-going, smart, and therapeutic may be good candidates to become ESAs. If you are considering making your pet into an ESA, she says to talk with your therapist.