We’re back with the latest emotional support animal weekly news report.
Today, we have two heart-warming stories for you: one about service dogs and another about robot dogs. Keep reading to get the full intriguing scoop!
Purina Helping Vets Adopt Service Dogs
Service dogs have been around for a long time. Most people recognize them as helpers to people with visual impairments. But these trained dogs help their owners in a lot more ways. For many United States veterans, service dogs are crucial to carrying on living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Bobby Bones is a military advocate aware of the important role these animals play. “Service dogs provide so many benefits for military veterans, but it can cost over $20,000 on average to train a service dog.” Indeed, the high cost is what dissuades thousands of war veterans from adopting a service dog. Bones says less than 1% of vets who need a service dog can get one.
Purina, the renowned pet food brand, is stepping in to help. The company is planning to donate a whopping $100,000 to organizations bringing together service dogs and veterans in need. This will hopefully make getting a service animal easier for the men and women who have served the country.
Phillip Brown is one of the veterans who benefit from having a service dog. His companion, Ranger, has helped him muster up the courage to leave the house after a PTSD diagnosis. Thanks to Got Your Six Service Dogs, the two met and are now living happily together. “Too many of our brothers and sisters have lost their battle to PTSD. Service dogs help keep the monsters at bay. You deserve to live your best life and service dogs help you conquer the hell we have seen.”
Source: https://www.radio.com/connectingvets/articles/purina-service-dog-salute
Michigan Residents Welcoming Robo-Dogs!
Studies have shown time and time again that having a pet is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. Often, licensed mental health professionals prescribe their patients an emotional support animal. They help their owners feel less lonely and better cope with their mental illness.
Health officials in Michigan have paid attention and created their own successful program. Elderly residents in nursing homes and hospitals now live with robo-dogs. These low-maintenance robotic animals mimick the feeling of having a pet, but they’re machines. Their insides are all electronic and their “fur” can be cleaned in the washing machine. Yet, their human companions already report feeling better emotionally.
The goal of the initiative is to ease the side-effects of the global pandemic. The elderly were the first to truly experience social isolation, with visits canceled in many facilities across the state. Thus, feelings of loneliness and worsening dementia have threatened their wellbeing.
Because caring for a pet isn’t an option for these residents, robot dogs seemed to be the perfect alternative. The family member of a Wayne County elderly resident had this to say: “Her [pet] was God-sent! She has named him Rocky. Rocky is a soft and cuddly friend who will keep her company during this difficult time when friends and family cannot hold or give comfort to her.”
Source: https://www.flintside.com/features/roboticpets11192020.aspx
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
We’re the biggest supporters of the human-animal bond out there. It works, and these two stories show just how important animals are for our mental wellbeing. From helping their owners cope with a mental illness to easing feelings of loneliness and depression, emotional support animals are real-life superheroes!
If you live with a mental or emotional disability, getting an emotional support animal could help you. These loyal animals make your day-to-day more manageable. CertaPet is here to make the process of getting an ESA as easy and accessible as can be. Just take CertaPet’s 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional who will have a consultation with you. If you qualify, they’ll issue you an emotional support animal letter.