When the pandemic first started, as a clinical psychiatrist I saw a steady increase in requests to verify the need for emotional support animals (ESA) among my patients. Included was Miriam, a lawyer in her 40s who experiences panic attacks, and needed a letter so her beloved dog Georgia could live in her rental unit. Meanwhile, Sophia, a young woman with bipolar disorder, needed written verification that her adored cat Matcha could help manage her mood symptoms. As these requests trickled in, I researched the benefits of animal companionship for mental illness — and was surprised by what I found.
Whether it’s the peacock denied a flight from Newark — or ferrets, cats and even dogs maligned and mocked in the press — animals identified as ESAs have often been portrayed as glorified pets that don’t deserve exemptions from policies restricting their presence in college dormitories or rental housing. Yet I’ve been amazed by how much these animals have become an important part of the mental health treatment plan for many of my patients.
