When a family counselor agreed that an emotional support dog could help a child struggling with grief and familial upheaval, the parent went to work gathering information on breeds (hypoallergenic) and costs, including vet fees. The child saved holiday and birthday money to help contribute to securing the pet. US Service Animals says, “An emotional support dog (ESD) is a dog that has been ‘prescribed’ by a licensed mental health provider to help an individual cope with a condition. Unlike service dogs, emotional support dogs don’t require any specialized training. Their companionship is the treatment.” With letters of support from the child’s therapist, our Board contributed financially to purchasing the dog.
