If you have PTSD or some other mental issue that is soothed by having a beloved pet nearby, there's a good chance that you might be able to get your pet certified as an emotional support animal. This will grant your pet increased access to certain public places, as well as the right to live in apartments and other rental facilities that wouldn't normally allow pets. If you decide that it would significantly help your well-being to have your pet nearby more often, here are some tips for getting your pet certified and treated as an emotional support animal.

1. Get a Doctor to State That You Need the Pet for Emotional Reasons

The first thing that you need to do is get written confirmation from your doctor that you need your pet for emotional reasons and that your life and functioning will be negatively affected should you be deprived of him or her. If you have a therapist or a psychiatrist, they will usually be able to help you out. If you are currently not seeing a doctor that is willing to confirm this for you, then you can call an online service that specializes in providing such confirmation. 

2. Register Your Emotional Support Pet

The next thing that you need to do is register your emotional support pet online. You first state that you have a mental illness or disability that is helped by the pet and then you pay a nominal fee. The certificate will be sent to you in the mail.

3. Ensure Your Pet is Well-Behaved

In order for people to more easily accept the fact that your pet is an emotional support animal, you want to make sure that your pet is well-behaved. Once your pet is certified, it is difficult for people to not allow you the benefits that having an emotional support pet provides, but it could cause problems if your pet is not well-behaved. If you will be taking your pet into the public sphere, you will want to make sure that he or she will not bite anyone or jump on smaller children. You need to make sure that you and your emotional support animal are as courteous as possible. This will help having an emotional support animal be an easier experience.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in emotional support animal certification. They will be able to assist you with finding a doctor to say that you need your pet.