Health Benefits of Having Pets
The Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) has addressed "no pets" in housing policies to permit a person with a disability or a person who is elderly to keep a pet for emotional support. Qualified individuals who meet these criteria must send a written request of reasonable accommodation to the landlord along with a letter from a physician. The phrase "therapy dogs" often indicates dogs that may or may not be used for emotional service. In some states, emotional service dogs do not have the same rights as assistance or therapy dogs. That means letters provided by physicians to substantiate the need for an emotional support animal or for a therapy animal should be specific to the patient's need for animal support. Humana encourages providers to write such letters in appropriate circumstances for patients in cases where they are in need of an ESA. Sample letters can be found on the Citizens for Pets in Condos Web site by clicking http://www.petsincondos.org/sampleletter.htm. There is increasing awareness on this topic, and Humana encourages providers to discuss the benefits of having pets with patients. |
Studies have shown that there are numerous
health benefits to having pets, especially for senior citizens.
Evidence is mounting in support of "pet prescriptions" for
the therapeutic value of animals. Companion animals have proven
to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help ease feelings
of loneliness and depression and increase opportunities for exercise
and outdoor activity. Their roles have expanded beyond those
of guide animals, to those that provide therapy to people with
a variety of needs, from helping children with Autism to detecting
when a person is going to have a seizure. Emotional support animal
(ESA) is a term for a pet that provides therapeutic benefit to
its owner through companionship and affection.
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