Emotional Support Pet?

Hello - does anyone have or are you considering getting an emotional support pet to assist with your bipolar? I have been doing research about this and am going to speak to my medical doctor about possibly getting one. Apparently, an emotional support pet can help by nagging/nudging you with your daily routine, distract you with play when they sense a distressing emotion/mood etc.
Only down side seems to be it can take up to 2 years to have a pet trained for your specific needs, but sounds like it could be very helpful in managing my bipolar overall.
I welcome any advice, suggestions you all may have, especially if you have an emotional support pet!

I just have a simple little kitten, not an emotionally trained one. He helps me enormously. He sits on my lap hours a day, snuggles w me, kisses me 10 million times a day, and we play. He has just been huge helping calm me, reducing sadness and loneliness, and having someone to love who loves me.

Iam sure a trained one can do more, but I could never afford one.

Hugs

My Sweet Pea (kitty) is vital to my stability. We snuggle and play. He helps me fall asleep at night, nuzzled up next to me. I adore him. Sometimes I feel like a 'cat lady' but just with the one kitty.

I think an untrained pet can be an enormous help. I would consider, in your shoes, getting a pet you love and see how that works.

I think a psychologist lcsw or psychiatrist can give an emotional support certificate but I don’t think a general practitioner can. Be careful of those online agencies, many places won’t accept them. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals don’t need special training. It is a controversial topic. I have heard many doctors think emotional support animals are just a way for people to get free flights for their animal get free housing for them etc. I look at it differently. I want to clarify my dog is not currently one but she almost became one when I thought I was moving to an apartment.

I want to give my experience of having a dog as a pet and what she has done for me. I deal with strong suicidal urges and she has helped me get through many rocky nights dealing with this. It’s a big deal when your pet is the only good thing you can think of as a reason for living. She has also provided me with a consistent positive stable part of my life. She gives me something to look forward to after work. Though this does not effect all with mental illness, I found it difficult to connect with others. So I don’t have a spouse, kids, a BFF, a close circle of friends etc. I have been in survival mode most of my adult life. I do have my siblings and father. I finally take a medication that has caused my mood to stabilize so hopefully I can fill in some of these gaps. But she has been a filler for some of those missing relationships. She has also been my reason for dragging my butt out of bed when depressed. So that is my side of it.

I have 5 cats and they are precious to me. A psychiatrist can provide you with a certificate (or even just a note) stating that your pet is an emotional support pet. In some places, that note can allow you to avoid paying a pet deposit fee if you're a renter.

I would like an emotional support pet. I'd like a rescued greyhound. But I dont have the money for vet bills so that kinda undoes that.

I spoke to my doctor today. He is actually an addiction specialist (i’m dual diagnosis) as well as internal medicine. I also received a consult from my Psychologist too on the matter. They both highly agree it could serve as a great help for as I do live alone right now. I have really been struggling with my daily routine of even jist getting out of bed as well as suicidal thoughts. In the past when working through some PTSD I also struggled with self-harm...all that said, an emotional support pet could really assist with helping to better manage my symptoms. I really appreciate you all sharing with me. I realize this can be a controversial subject. I am also a “renter” right now as well. Happy to see that your pets seem to provide you all with much comfort

My Boston Terrier puppy Kali is a huge support to me in many ways.



She gives me a reason to take care of myself. I may train her for specific tasks when she has mastered basic obedience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose72 I would like an emotional support pet. I'd like a rescued greyhound. But I dont have the money for vet bills so that kinda undoes that.

I don't own a dog because their vet care is so expensive. With regard to my cats, although vet care is generally less expensive, I worry myself crazy that if there's an emergency I won't be able to pay. It's a horrible situation. So many pets would be saved if only vet care was affordable.