
Podcast host Prairie Conlon, a clinically trained therapist offering distance counseling in the states of North Carolina, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, talks to different guests that have found emotional balance through their pets. “The Animal Effect”, examines the different ways animals can positively impact our lives. It explores a holistic journey on finding potential healing and relief with animals. You may enjoy reading more into the ways dogs can improve your quality of life as well.
These animals are usually referred to as an emotional support animal (ESA). ESAs are pets that provide companionship to a person who suffers from symptoms of an emotional or mental disability such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other mental disabilities. Unlike a service animal, an emotional support animal is not granted access to places of public accommodation. ESAs are only legally recognized in the United States of America as therapeutic animals after the individual requesting assistance has received professional clinical counseling and qualifies as an ESA owner. After that, you should receive a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) letter which outlines your need for the animal.
Prairie has worked with clients over a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, military transition, trauma, career challenges, and ADHD. Her focus on holistic treatment plans involves working in several areas of people’s lives to approach the issue comprehensively and thoroughly. She has broad knowledge in animal-assisted therapy and holds strongly in emotional support animals as well as other forms of alternative treatments.
“There are huge physical benefits of having an animal. When we interact with animals it releases really positive biochemicals in our bodies like oxytocin, serotonin, and prolactin. All these things are feel-good chemicals in our bodies. But they also offer so much more on emotional levels. As a matter of fact, in a recent survey, 97% of doctors believe having a pet has health benefits.”
You can check out The Animal Effect by clicking this link.