All animal lovers and pet owners have experienced bottomless love and loyalty from their pets. Whether they are Pitbulls or Tabby cats, they mean the world to us. In the same way, emotional support animals (ESA) offer unconditional support and critical aid to people who are psychologically impaired or suffer from emotional challenges. This article sheds light on Pitbulls as ESAs, the significance of ESAs, why Pitbulls have received a bad reputation, and how a person can safeguard and protect their ESA Pitbull through legal paperwork. Let us know about that the Can Pitbull Be Emotional Support Animal?
Pitbulls make fantastic emotional support animals and show bounteous care and love towards their owners. They have the remarkable ability to turn a terrible day into a well-functioning day. However, as with all dogs, it is recommended that Pitbull’s receive obedience training to increase the quality of assistance they provide.
Can Pitbulls Be Emotional Support Animals?
The Pitbull breeds have received a bad rep over the past few centuries, but these stigmas are dwindling. These dogs possess enduring and loving characteristics, such as an innate love for people, an eagerness to learn and the capacity to learn quickly. Furthermore, when Pitbulls receive proper training and love, they will offer an abundance of loyalty and affection in return. Therefore, these dogs make excellent emotional support animals every step of the way.
What are Pitbulls?
It is important to note that the term “Pitbull” does not define one breed of dog; but is an umbrella term for four different dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, The American Bully, and The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy) are all a part of this same breed and are registered as ‘Bully breeds’. They all share similar traits with temperaments of intelligence, reliability, affection, courage, gentleness, and fearlessness.
Emotional support animals can be any species or breed of animal that perform an essential part in the lives of people who suffer from psychological or emotional strain. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all species of animals have the advantage of becoming an EMA. For people who are emotionally disabled, the presence of an animal can provide them with the critical support they need, decreases challenges and increases that person’s quality of life.
Why are Emotional Support Animals Important?
Even though emotional support animals provide emotional support to people with psychological disabilities, they do not require special training. These animals are the same as owned pets. However, the difference lies in how they add functionality to a person’s life, where the presence of an ESA may be the difference between life and death for their owner. Consequently, it is crucial that the general public, landlords and governments become more aware of the significance of emotional support animals, whether the animal is the notoriously stigmatized American Pit Bull Terrier or a parrot with too much to say.
What paperwork is necessary for an ESA?
If you are considering getting an emotional support animal, the most official and critical part of the process is to receive a letter of qualification from a licenced therapist or psychologist that will qualify your pet as an emotional support animal.
However, there aren’t any other criteria put in place for registration or certification of ESAs, which garners some difficulty in accessing many public spaces. On a more positive note, there are federal laws and regulations in place, in America, that allow ESAs to live in any housing with their owner, whether private or public. These federal laws also offer protection, when travelling is required.
How to deal with feisty landlords?
This federal law creates safety for all emotional support animals, even Pitbulls that are often disliked by landlords, due to their believed aggressive nature. Therefore, all ESAs are allowed to move into a rental property with their owner, regardless of local regulations that have banned certain breeds. Landlords are not allowed to ask what a person’s disability is. On the other hand, they have permission to ask for documentation that shows that the ESA is necessary. This document should be accredited by a licensed therapist as discussed above.
Why have Pitbulls received a bad rep?
Pitbulls have been used in illegal dog fighting competitions for many years, breeding and training them methodically to produce aggressive behaviour. These animals are, however, something completely different. They are loving and caring beasts who would make excellent ESAs.
Key considerations when getting a Pitbull as an ESA?
It is important to train any animal to be the best pet or ESA they can be. Therefore, early socialization and obedience training is essential in the effective development of a Pitbull. These animals make excellent ESAs because they offer innate love, care and support. They do not give up easily and have an eager-to-please approach that the owner will significantly benefit from.
Conclusion
If you are considering training an emotional support animal to aid you in optimal functioning through the strains of life, a Pitbull would be an excellent candidate. They are wholesome animals that can offer support, compassion and guidance. Regrettably, these fine animals have been pitted against a primitive stigma, where they are sometimes understood as aggressive and unyielding. However, like any breed of dog, if they receive training and love from their owner, their compassion and loyalty will be returned twentyfold. Any Bully breed; as all Pitbulls are called, will make outstanding emotional support animals.
