June 10, 2022 6:15 AM EDT
Emotional support dogs, as you can easily guess, provide emotional support. They don't need special training to do this, nor do they need to have a diploma or be proficient in special techniques. It is possible that your dog is one too if he helps you relieve the symptoms of anxiety or depression.
This is where they differ from service dogs. Those, in turn, need to be able to do a lot of things. A lot of time and money is spent on training guide dogs, for example. They are trained for certain tasks, which some people are unable to carry out due to their peculiarities. They become so indispensable that they are considered "medical equipment" in many countries. That is why they are allowed to accompany their owner or mistress in places where ordinary animals are not allowed.