Emotional Support Rabbits by Jazlynn N.

Do you think a rabbit will be a good support animal? Well, if you lived with a pet rabbit, I’m sure you understand how amazing these little fluffy friends can be for your health. For those of you in similar situations, it may be worth talking to a psychiatrist or therapist about Emotional Support Animals. Emotional support rabbits are trainable and don’t require a lot of space. 

According to Bunnylady.com, “Emotional Support,” if you suffer from conditions such as anxiety, depression, or have another mental health condition and find that your pet improves your ability to function in daily life, then you can get your rabbit certified as an Emotional Support Animal. Getting this documentation will help you find housing and travel without the needs to be separated from your pet. However, its important to understand the requirements and laws surrounding Emotional Support Animals. This way you’ll know your rights and be prepared for the situations that can arise. Pet rabbits can be an Emotional Support Animals (ESA) for people who struggle with a mental health condition.The ESA must be prescribed by a psychologist as a form of treatment, certifying that the pet helps to alleviate the conditions of the person’s illness(es) and supports their mental health. 

Then, according to supportdogcertification.org, “Rabbits are Trainable,” the same as cats, rabbits instinctively know how to use a “little box” as long as you give them a little guidance. You need to place the box in their living area and put several layers of newspaper under the hay; also they can come litter box trained. Then the house training for these smart animals comes naturally. Due to the skittish nature of rabbits, it is best to house rabbits in areas that are not noisy or busy, such as outside, in a room with music, or other areas. You can easily train your rabbit to do tricks, because they are smart and also love to learn. With patience, your bunny can be trained to run agility courses, fetch, jump, spin, and do other things that are both soothing and entertaining. 

Lastly, according to supportdogcertification.org, rabbits don’t require lots of space. Apart from the house training they receive, bunnies respond very well to positive reinforcement training. For example, giving them training treats such as carrots, or banana or apple chunks as a reward when they perform the task the right way. A well-trained rabbit can come when called and perform plenty of tricks. The only space a rabbit needs is to stretch out its legs, because their muscles will wither if they stay in a hutch or cage all day. Their health will then suffer, and they can often become aggressive in these circumstances too, so people should keep the rabbits happy so they can provide the support their handlers need. 

To conclude these thoughts, emotional support rabbits provide emotional comfort for people that have mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD and ADHD. You can register the household rabbit as an ESA in an online organization. Then, after you register you’ll receive a certificate that is a document to protect your rights. However, make sure you really require the ESA owner to present the ESA letter written by a professional psychologist.