For individuals living with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other emotional challenges, having an emotional support animal (ESA) can make a world of difference.
Dogs, more then other pets, offer unconditional love, routine, and comfort, making them excellent companions for those in need of emotional balance.
Here are six of the best dog breeds that could provide a helping paw:
The long-haired, medium-sized, friendly pooches are one of the most compassionate and sociable dog breeds. They are incredibly intelligent, patient and eager to please.
As they are easy to train and are reliable, people use Golden Retrievers as service dogs to help individuals with limitations in their daily lives.
These medium to large-sized, short-coated dogs are known for their friendly, loving, outgoing and intelligent character traits. They are also loyal to their owners, and can sense emotions, which can easily tell them if their masters need doggy hugs or kisses.
Like Golden Retrievers, they can easily be trained as service dogs. But rather than being clingy like the goldies, the Labrador Retrievers like to be independent.
The little, short-haired pedigree is bursting with energy and charm, making them reliable to cheer anyone up.
Pugs are also known for their playful and affectionate nature. They are recommended for people who are looking for a breed that has a strong sense of companionship.
Like Pugs, Shih Tzus are small and have big hearts. The breed - which has a distinctively long, flowing coat - has a friendly and affectionate temperament, making them another perfect option for a companion dog.
The mutt is attentive and loves developing deep, strong bonds with its owners.They are also comfortable in small spaces.
These curly, hypoallergenic pooches come in a range of sizes, such as standard, miniature and Toy. This allows people to choose a size that meets their living needs easily.
They have a calm and composed demeanor, as well as a keen sense of intelligence about them. This means they can provide emotional support to those in need, as well as assist with various tasks. However, because Poodles have high energy, they require a lot of attention and fuss.
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