How to Cope After Losing Your Emotional Support Animal

Published on: August 10, 2020

By: ASP Administrator

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion. They are animals that has been certified by a medical doctor or other licensed mental health provider. ESA’s help people who are battling a disability or mental illness. In most cases, ESAs are dogs, but other animals like cats are also applicable. People who need ESAs are usually diagnosed with psychological disabilities that impede their capacity to function normally. These medical issues may include panic attacks and major depressive disorder among others.

An ESA versus Service Animals

Emotional support animals differ from service animals. In a way that the former has no explicit task-training. While the latter are trainable to accomplish specific tasks. ESAs give comfort, affection, non-judgmental positive regard, and support to the suffering person. However, ESAs must be trained to prevent undesirable behaviors like barking at people, defecating in the wrong places, growling, etc.

Proper certification from a therapist and a doctor or other licensed mental health provider is needed for proof. Proof, that owning a pet will improve some part of the disability at hand. As per the US federal law, owners of ESAs must meet the federal threshold of impairment and present a certified letter from a psychologist to that effect.

What to Do When Your Emotional Support Animal Dies

Seeing how vital emotional support animals are to a patient’s well-being, one can hardly imagine the pain of losing their beloved companion. Just as other pets, these animals are susceptible to disease, theft, accidental fires, etc. There are harrowing tales of pets that died in unfortunate circumstances leaving their owners lamenting for months on end. People get attached to ESAs, and they become an integral part of their lives that transcends the healing component.

In 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine reported a case where a 61-year old suffered chest pains after her dog passed away. The doctor or other licensed mental health providers diagnosed her with takotsubo cardiomyopathy which is a scientific term for broken heart disease. Some people describe the loss of a pet as more excruciating than losing a relative, and this goes to show the depth of these bonds. So, you may be wondering how to cope with the loss of an emotional support animal.

Grief Coping Mechanisms

There are several mechanisms that can be used for coping with an ESA death:

1. Social Support

Numerous studies have derived that social support is instrumental in overcoming the grief of losing a pet. While society may not always grasp the magnitude of your loss, there will be those who empathize with your pain. Once you find these people in your life, you can lean on them for support, share your memories, and allow them to help bear the burden of your grief.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the healing power of connecting with others who have walked a similar path. Online forums and support groups can provide a safe haven where you can express your feelings without fear of judgement. Consider using one of these platforms to write and share an open letter to your ESA. Putting those feelings down on paper (or on a computer) and communicating them with others can be a valuable tool when it comes to recovery.

2. Crying Out

As you navigate through the ups and downs of the grief that comes with an ESA death, it’s important to acknowledge your emotions and mourn.

Believe it or not, there is a scientific component for crying our eyes out when grieving. Crying is not a sign of weakness. Rather, this self-care strategy helps our bodies to release the pent-up energy and helps to release emotions rather than suppressing them.

In fact, taking the latter approach and suppressing your feelings is actually detrimental and could exacerbate underlying emotional problems. So let each tear fall as a testament to the special bond you and your ESA shared. Having a good cry will also the stage for any future grieving so there is less trauma should such agony reoccur in your lifetime.

3. Reintegration

As you navigate the grieving process, remember that healing is not a linear journey. Over time, you will be able to start picking up the pieces, but in most cases, they may not fit the same way as before.

Reintegration or reclamation is the final step of grieving as the intensity of emotions decreases and the person starts to move on. As you enter this state, keep in mind that there will be days when the pain feels unbearable, and others when it subsides to more of a dull ache. Be gentle with yourself, allowing time to heal wounds that run soul-deep.

Penning a heartfelt ESA letter to your departed companion is a befitting goodbye that paves the way for a new chapter. And as you emerge from the darkness, know it’s okay to cherish the memories of your beloved ESA while opening your heart to new possibilities.

At American Service Pets, we understand how painful it is to overcome the loss of emotional support animal. We hope you find these coping tips valuable in your healing process. And if the time ever comes that you decide to bring another furry companion into your home, we’ll be there to help ensure they never have to leave your side.

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ATTENTION

Due to the new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, Emotional Support Animals are NO longer allowed to fly in airplane cabins for free. However, Psychiatric Service Dogs are eligible.