We all know how an emotional support animal helps us relax and relieve our stress but, do you know that hugging your dog a lot can actually stress it? It sounds strange but this is true. A pet or an ESA is a reflection of its owner and can mirror similar emotions.
Getting an emotional support animal will need a valid and genuine ESA letter but keeping the ESA healthy, both physically and mentally, is your responsibility. After all, giving and getting comfort is a two-way process.
Wondering how could you make your ESA feel stressed out? The following are some things that you may be doing unknowingly.
1. Stressing Yourself Out
Stress is a part of our everyday life and where your ESA helps you relieve that stress, it also relies on you to relieve its stress. Like we said before, it is a two-way process and both you and your ESA depend on each other. Likewise, if you are stressed, your ESA will also be stressed.
Studies show that a dog’s cortisol levels tell a lot about its owner. However, rest assured that your stress will not have any damaging effects on your dog.