According to Psychiatry.org, 84% of pet owners have stated that their pets have positive impacts and effects on their mental health. 62% of people who were surveyed stated that their pets helped reduce stress and anxiety, as well as provide a calming presence.

On Easter of 2025, my mother passed away from a sudden heart attack in her sleep. The Wednesday after, my sister and I got the kittens we had already been planning on getting. 

My kitten, Bissy, has been a huge part in helping me cope and heal the hole in my heart that the loss of my mother created. He is a playful kitten who I honestly believe has attachment issues with his brother, Mango, and me. Bissy has been a huge help with regulating my emotions, giving me reasons to laugh and smile, and reasons to wake up every day. That is why I believe everyone deserves an emotional support animal. 

I also have four rabbits and a dog. In total, I have seven pets. They have all helped my family grieve through this loss. My father has been sleeping with my dog on his bed at night for comfort. 

Emotional support animals are therapeutic and also show love in ways humans cannot. Humans are able to express love through actions and words. However, animals show through their actions. Having an emotional support animal will significantly improve your mental health and make you feel calm and at ease. They can also serve as a distraction from the chaotic and intense thoughts and emotions that we, as humans, must deal with every single day. 

In conclusion, having an emotional support animal can and will greatly impact your well-being and become very therapeutic. They can also become more than just a pet; they become a best friend. This is why I believe that everyone who struggles with mental health, PTSD or trauma should have an emotional support pet.