Emotional Support Dog for my daughter

JacandAbi

Hello. My name is Jac (short for Jacqueline) and my daughter is Abi (short for Abigail). 

Abi had a difficult start to life from the beginning, including heart surgery aged 2 days old.  Despite being in and out of hospital, she achieved great grades at school and got herself a degree in History and did teacher training and became an NQT. A horrible experience at a secondary school in London has completely knocked her confidence and she suffers terrible fear and anxiety and it is stopping her even attempting to look for a job (she doesn't want to go back to teaching - something that she has wanted to do since about aged 8.  She also has problems with her sight. Her eyesight was poor from the get go, but now she has had to have corneal grafts, once of which appears to be rejecting. This has knocked her even further down. I feel an emotional support dog would help her tremendously but I don't know where to start.

JustPete

Hi @JacandAbi  Thanks for joining us and posting. 

I rehomed a German Shephard 10 months ago; it is my first dog.  I had always wanted a dog, she was a 'lock-down' dog, and thankfully her owners recognized they could not look after her.  I was lucky enough to persuade them to give her to me.

She is not an 'emotional support dog' -  but she gives me a whole heap of love and support.  She is a cheeky teenager, but gives so much to me and my PAs (they adore her too).  One of my PAs has alot of Anxiety; my dog relaxes him to the point that I check that he leaves her behind when leaving work!!!!! (no joke)

My dog has learned so much, so quickly.  Perhaps i am biased, but it might be worth considering getting a regular dog, rescue dog, or intelligent dog rather than specifically an 'Emotional Support Dog'.  There are however a lot of things to think about when getting a dog.  You may want to speak with an organisation beforehand.

This link Emotional Support Animals UK Registration (esaorguk.com) is something I found with a quick google.

Strangely enough, I wanted to teach when I  was going through university; it was very hard for me 'back in those days', so I share what might be devastating for Abi.  In your short write-up she seems extremely dedicated to the cause, so I highly recommend a dog.

Please get back to us with any more questions/support.

Pete

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @JacandAbi

Welcome to the community!

I think an emotional support animal would be a great option. There is a lot of information on Emotional Support Animals UK with lots of blog posts from others with emotional support animals you may find useful.

Have you also thought about Animal Therapy? It may be worth having a google in your local area to see if it is an option for your daughter. You could even get more advice from those who work in those circles too