How Can an ESA or Service Animal Help Individuals with ADHD? ADHD is a commonly faced struggle, with 2.8% of the population struggling with this disorder. ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and is characterized by symptoms such as not being able to pay attention, not being able to complete tasks, losing things, being disorganized, being hyperactive, and impulsive behavior. ADHD usually shows up in school-aged children but can persist into adulthood or go undiagnosed into adulthood.
There are now many different resources, tools, and medications available to help treat and manage the symptoms of ADHD, but one thing that may help even more is an emotional support animal or service animal. Learn how one can help an individual with ADHD.
Provide Consistency
Many individuals with ADHD struggle to keep a schedule and stay on task. Having a animal to care for can help them formulate a routine and stick with it, as their emotional support animal must be fed, walked, played with, and cared for every day. The emotional support animal can help remind them to stay on schedule, for example reminding them its time for them to be fed. They can also be trained to interrupt or grab their owner’s attention at certain times in order to help remind them of certain tasks they must do. This structure can be very beneficial and help them accomplish more.
Encourages Activity
An emotional support animal will encourage their owner to get up and walk, run, play, and go outdoors with them. This helps burn off nervous energy, and boosts serotonin levels, warding off depression and anxiety, things individuals with ADHD commonly struggle with.
Provides Support
Since ADHD and depression and anxiety often times go hand in hand, having the undying love and affection of an emotional support animal can provide the support and care an individual may need. This can help keep them motivated to accomplish more. It can also help build an individual’s relationship skills by helping them learn to trust and love another being.
Psychiatric Service Dogs for ADHD
If you have a dog as an emotional support animal who is trained to do a specific task in relation to your ADHD, they likely qualify as a psychiatric service dog. This means that your service animal is protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and you can take your dog virtually anywhere you go. Emotional support animals are only protected by the Fair Housing Act, meaning you can live with them regardless of pet policies or fees, but that is it.
If you or someone you know has ADHD, they may benefit from having an emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog who can help provide routine, structure, physical activity, and emotional support. In order to certify your animal, you must get an emotional support animal letter of certification or service dog certification. Our experts at United Support Animal can help provide you with this quickly and easily. Learn more today!
