Firstly, owning an (ESA) also known as emotional support animal can provide a range of benefits for people with mental or emotional conditions. ESAs are usually pets that provide comfort, companionship, and support to their owners especially for people that suffer with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health disorders. Goldendoodles are a good choice for an emotional support animal as they can help you reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and we all know how dogs can bring a sense of security and well-being to their owners.
Goldendoodle is a popular breed for a service dog that do therapy work because they are intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They are known to be good with children and other animals, and they generally have a calm temperament. However, not all goldendoodles are suited to be therapy animals. Why? This usually depends on their individual temperament and behavior that they have.
Are goldendoodles good therapy dogs and good with kids?
If you are interested in training your goldendoodle to become an ESA, then here are some things you should consider:
- Socialization: Your goldendoodle must be socialized when they are still puppies and interact with different people, children, environments, and other animals if possible. This helps them become more comfortable and confident in various situations when they grow up.
- Obedience training: Your goldendoodle and especially an ESA should be trained to follow basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. This will help you especially since they will be well-behaved in public and will follow your instructions right away.
- Temperament testing: You should have your goldendoodle undergo temperament testing to assess their suitability for therapy work. This can be done by a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
- Certification: To qualify as an emotional support animal, your goldendoodle must be certified by a licensed mental health professional. This will require documentation stating that you have a mental or emotional condition and that your goldendoodle provides comfort and support to alleviate symptoms of that condition that you have. Click here to consult with a licensed health professional.
In summary, owning an emotional support animal like a goldendoodle can provide many benefits for people with mental or emotional conditions. However, it’s important to ensure that your goldendoodle is suitable for therapy work and has been properly trained and certified by a health professional before serving as an emotional support animal. Take your ESA TEST before applying for ESA Letter to see if you are eligible to own a goldendoodle therapy dog.
