Society has reached a point where we are very accepting of new ideas. People are able to be more who they want to be and express their feelings and concerns. Along with all of the good ideas that are arising, bad ones have come up too. Although the occurrence of mental illness amongst people is no new topic it is only recently starting to be viewed as a legitimate illness in which many people suffer from. With the amazing advancement of medicine there have been many that attempt to help subside symptoms of depression, anxiety and so on. However for some being on medicines cannot fully help their suffering.
In the 1960s psychologists began to realize the benefit that animals had on patients with a variety of different issues such as nonverbal children to elderly patients who were suffering from critical conditions. The presence of the animal relieved stress in which improved their health. As the years progressed the benefit of animals broadened to people suffering from anxiety and depression. Currently dogs can be registered as a therapy animal after undergoing certain evaluations that ensure that they meet the qualifications. This is a serious process and not all dogs are able to become therapy animals just like not all dogs are qualified to be service dogs.
At the University of New Hampshire students who meet certain medical conditions are eligible to have a therapy animal live with them in their dorm. Unfortunately students who are viewing this process from the outside seem to think that this is a simple, no-brainer process in which anyone can register any animal as a therapy animal. It is frustrating when I have to explain, as an RA, to my residents that no they cannot just register their dog online as a therapy animal. Firstly I feel frustrated by their assumptions because they are making it seem like mental illness is something that comes with all of these perks. What they don't realize is that the students who qualify to have a therapy animal truly need that animal. The animal provides support and reassurance to them when they are dealing with things that a lot of people don't understand. However just because you do not understand why they need a therapy animal does not mean that they are not suffering. Secondly if you feel as though you really need to have a therapy animal with you but you refuse to go to counseling because you don't need to talk to anyone then do you really need the animal?
Therapy animals are something that can be very helpful to many people. Many schools including UNH offer visits from therapy dogs during finals week. I personally love seeing them and it definitely helps ease my stress. Before trying to register your dog to be a therapy animal you need to truly ask yourself if you absolutely cannot function without them. If the answer is yes then I suggest you go to counseling and talk with them about what the next step for you would be.
