Emotional Support Animals for Anxiety and Depression | Banyan Tree (2024)

Best emotional support animal for mental health

Did you know that llamas and alpacas are among the best pets for mental health? They are not the obvious choice as pets, but when raised around people they are known to be empathetic and gentle creatures. While you may not have enough outdoor space to properly care for a llama or alpaca, that's not a problem because there is a list of the best emotional support animals for mental health that you can adopt into your family.

Pets and mental health

Pet therapyoften recommended to people who already have pets or are animal lovers. People struggling with mental illness or substance abuse can use this method to reduce stress, increase their energy, reduce depressive episodes, and calm anxiety. Low-maintenance emotional support animals are a great way to spend your time feeding and caring, especially if they are small and fluffy like a hamster or rabbit.

Furry friends reduce feelings of loneliness and provide comfort to people struggling with intrusive or repetitive thoughts. Support animals are often great for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. They increase mental stimulation and provide a cheerful or positive mental distraction.

Animals that help with anxiety and depression

Dogs and cats are the most common animals used for anxiety and depression. A dog is the best pet for a child with anxiety because it can be trained as a service animal that knows how to handle a situation where a child has a severe seizure, tremor, or epilepsy. Of course, there are other animals that are less or equally helpful in reducing negative symptoms.

Some of the best pets for depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues include:

  • In
  • Ged
  • Turtle
  • To get
  • Fret
  • Rice
  • Kip
  • Hedgehog
  • Guinea pig
  • Bearded dragon
  • Parrot or small birds
  • Miniature horse or donkey

These are some of the best emotional support animals for mental health. The best small pets for anxiety include rabbits, guinea pigs and birds. These animals help lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate, improve self-esteem and keep the mind occupied. The disadvantages of animals include maintaining their hygiene, keeping the environment clean, and traveling with the animal, as not all places (such as stores and airlines) will recognize these animals as emotional support animals.

Pet therapy and mental health care at Banyan

At Boca Mental Health Care Center, our experienced medical team is ready to create a treatment plan that best suits your recovery goals. If you are struggling with mental illness and seeking medical help, we have the solution for you! We processconcurrent mental healthdisorders toomood and anxiety disorders.From pets to music and art therapy, we offer unique programs to help you recover or reduce unwanted symptoms so you can live the life you want.

Talk to a specialist at Banyan Mental Health by calling888-280-4763and ask for oursfaith-based counselingor aftercare program to get started on the road to recovery today!

Related readings:

Can dogs feel depression?

Bipolar affects the brain

Emotional Support Animals for Anxiety and Depression | Banyan Tree (2024)
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