When I think of unconditional love and comfort, I think of Leo.
Leo, my best friend, has saved my day and my life more than once. If I have a bad day at school or work, he is right there to ease my anxiety by nuzzling up beside me. He is a good listener, and sometimes he even talks to me, too. Leo is my cat.
After high school, I got into a very toxic and controlling relationship. Even though he was never home, I was not allowed to go to work, school, or even see my friends. The loneliness I felt every day that I spent by myself got to me and my mind. I was in a very dark place—depressed and suicidal. One day, I was so sad, I sat on the floor of the shower and sobbed. I wanted to die. I felt so much pain and anger in my heart, I could no longer bear it—suddenly, Leo was at my side. Meowing at me. In the wet shower.
He made me realize if I’m gone, who is going to take care of my Leo? My cat saved my life that day. I dumped my ex after 4 years and never went back. I still have my Leo, and my mental state is better now, but I still struggle. The days where I feel alone and sad, Leo is still by my side making sure that his owner is okay.
Emotional support animals consist of a large portion of today's house pets. As humans, some of our best friends are our pets. Some say that they are a family member. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are companions that offer aid to someone with a mental health condition.
Most of the research behind emotional support animals is still inconclusive, but there are studies that show their effects are positive for their owners. Benefits from an emotional support animal at your side include trauma support, less anxiety, decrease loneliness and reciprocation of love and care.
ESAs are often misconstrued with service animals. Service animals are trained to a certain duty or task. Service animals are trained to help those with disabilities. Such as sensory, physical, and psychiatric disorders. Emotional support animals offer companionship and happiness to their owners who may have a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Either way, animals are a necessity for some people, and they help support and service us.
Pets serve us unconditional love and support, but perhaps they feel the same way about us. Last year, Leo and I were a duo that could not be stopped, and I had no desire for any other household pet. A friend of mine told me that his cat had kittens, and the mother of the litter rejected one kitten. She was the runt of the group, and it was clear she would not make it without some TLC. Of course, I took the kitten in. I named her Binx, and bottle fed her for the first month of her life. This was not an easy task, and was very much so like having a baby. I was up all hours of the night bottle feeding her and making sure she had the love and comfort that she needed. Now, Binx is one year old and a very loving and playful kitty. I like to say that Leo rescued me, and I rescued Binx.
Emotional support animals are needed for some humans, and in some cases, they need us too.
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