Relationships October 18, 2016
Women and men who are considering or are currently attending therapy may wonder if there are other options available to cater to their emotional needs. Therapy is a great option, but there are some drawbacks and limits to the benefits that a therapy session can provide. These drawbacks can cause others to seek alternative methods of emotional comfort.
In recent decades, more and more experts recommend animals as alternate sources of comfort. According to the U.S. Dog Registry, men and women with emotional or psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and PTSD may qualify for an emotional support dog.
So if you’re thinking about exchanging a doc for a dog, here are five reasons why you should check out the trend.
Those who have therapists know that sessions, especially weekly or bi-weekly, can get expensive after a while. An hour with a therapist can cost $50 on the more frugal side and upwards of $200 for more pricey sessions, according to Marla B. Cohen, PsyD via Good Therapy.
Dogs may make your bills go down. While owning a dog isn’t free, their upkeep is typically less expensive. Dog boarding company Rover estimates the average dog owner spends about $75 a month for kibble, toys and medicines. Keeping your dog happy and heathy is a small price to pay for your emotional (and financial) well-being.
Visiting a therapist once a week, or maybe even once a month, may not be enough for some people to receive the treatment they really need. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or a long nap with your best friend, you don’t have to pick up your keys and drive to your therapist’s office. All you have to do is look over your shoulder and your dog will be there to help.
Your dog will be with you at all times – even in apartments and on planes with a no-pet policy. If you live an apartment that doesn’t allow pets, the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) will grant you the right to bring your pup home. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) also permits emotional support animals on aircraft carriers. While each airline’s rules may vary, American Airlines asks for documentation and a 48-hour notice before travel.
There is a reason that therapists sometimes encourage their patients to pick up hobbies. Once patients see that they can take care of something, they can take care of themselves. Maybe a therapist will suggest buying and caring for a plant, but what is a better responsibility than a dog? Looking after a plant or a fish can be impersonal, but being able to connect with and take care of a dog gives the patient a responsibility with the attachment of a personal relationship.
The Humane Society outlines 10 dog care essentials that will keep your pup healthy, including a nutritionally balanced diet and enough exercise. While you’re caring for your dog’s well-being, you’re also reminding yourself to care for your own mental and physical health.
Although they have proved to help in some cases, prescription drugs can pave the way towards addiction, overdose or an unhealthy dependency on drugs for emotional stability. And once again, prescription drugs are expensive, especially for patients with no health insurance.
Dogs are neither addictive (debatable!) nor expensive, and they can provide similar emotional benefits that prescription drugs offer. The happiness they offer will make you smile, which self-medicates with hormonal and psychological benefits, according to Psychology Today.
Therapists offer their services for a price, so the relationship between therapist and patient may feel impersonal. Dogs don’t want anything more than to love their owners. They want to give you personal attention and to receive a belly rub every so often for their “services,” no money involved. If you need something to love and care for, dogs are the perfect way to fulfill that desire.
Substituting an emotional support dog for therapy or medication could be the best decision you make all year. Not only will it provide positive emotional, health and financial benefits, you’ll also gain a furry, fun roommate. And the pup will be more than happy to offer his or her services – after all, dogs are a woman’s best friend.
