Why an Emotional Support Animal Might Be the Best ADHD Solution Beyond Medication

You’re watching Netflix on the TV while browsing HBO on your phone. Meanwhile, you’re responding to texts and hearing your partner call you from the kitchen asking you whether you want Cheetos or popcorn, and then you remember you didn’t even eat dinner — that’s a bit like what it feels like to live with ADHD. There’s a lot going on, you don’t know what to focus on, and you also feel like you can’t fully focus on anything (unless you get into the elusive “zone”, which can take three hours to get to, if you’re lucky).

When it comes to treatment, different therapies can help, like talk therapy or medication. We also know that when it comes to mental health, a holistic approach can make a massive difference. Movement, sleep, social support, a stable routine — all these things matter.

Something that can impact many of these areas and improve symptoms naturally is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). An ESA can help you feel emotionally comforted, make you sleep better, get you moving more, offer tactile support, establish a routine and structure, and the list goes on.

In this article, we’ll dive into how ESAs can actually shift your brain chemistry. Learn how they can offer similar benefits to medication, helping you feel more productive and balanced — med-free.

Understanding ADHD and the Limitations of Medication

What makes ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) so special is that it’s incredibly different for everyone. Even people who share similar characteristics can experience them in totally different intensities. 

Some might be hyperactive, where they’re always on overdrive and full of that go-go-go energy. Others are more inattentive, like spacing out to daydream while in work meetings or while trying to start that big report due tomorrow. Finally, there’s also that impulsive energy, showing up as spontaneity or constant interruptions in conversations.

What About ADHD Medication? 

People’s experiences with ADHD medications can be a bit of a mixed bag. Many notice its benefits in managing symptoms. Others just don’t feel like themselves or get side effects that don’t feel worth it. 

Research shows it comes with its pros and cons, especially for different age groups. Adults, for example, get more side effects with less efficacy than children or adolescents. Long-term effects are also less clear, with more studies needed. 

Some of the more common side effects of ADHD medication include:

• Irritability
• Depression
• Headaches
• Weight loss
• Mood swings
• Anxiety spikes 
• Sleep problems
• Appetite changes
• Increased heart rate
• Blood pressure changes 

As for the positives, medication might help reduce risky behavior, like accidents or substance abuse. It may also help to improve core issues, like attention and impulse control, as well as hyperactivity. However, there is no single “perfect” treatment. A combination of therapies often works best, like exercise, mindfulness, talk therapy, social support (or furry support), and even neurofeedback. Even medication results are best when combined with behavioral therapy.

How Emotional Support Animals Help Manage ADHD Symptoms

Emotional support animals (ESAs) offer more than just companionship—they can play a key role in managing ADHD symptoms by promoting structure, emotional regulation, and even physical activity. Here are just a few ways that an ESA can help manage ADHD symptoms:

‍Daily Routine for Productivity

ESA’s can naturally help you create a fulfilling routine simply by caring for their basic needs. With feeding, playing, and walking if you have a dog (or an adventurous cat), your day has at least some sort of a plan. The consistency that caring for them takes almost tricks your brain into establishing habits and a daily schedule. Research shows that routine and schedules help to get things done.

Emotional Comfort for Mood Stability

Besides being schedule enforcers, they also work to regulate emotions through their natural calming energy (provided you don’t have an endlessly hyperactive ESA). Just petting an animal can release a cascade of feel-good chemicals, like endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin (the “love drug”). Those are all-natural mood boosters that help manage the intense emotions that can come with ADHD.

Movement for Focus and Impulse Control

Finally, there’s also the physical exercise that comes with having a pet (especially a dog). One study showed that dog walkers got 2000 more steps and 13 more minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise per day, compared to non-owners. Fortunately for cat lovers, a 2023 meta-analysis also showed that all pet owners got more exercise than non-owners. As we all know, exercise boosts our moods and makes managing stress easier, for people with and without ADHD. It might specifically help ADHD symptoms because exercise also increases norepinephrine, which acts a bit like a stimulant, similar to ADHD medications. Then there’s the dopamine exercise releases. It helps stabilize your reward system and filters your stimuli, promoting impulse control and focus. Exercise also helps you process information, improving your overall memory and problem-solving skills.

Scientific Evidence Supporting ESAs for ADHD

Putting all the benefits of what an ESA can offer together shows that they can be a huge help in managing ADHD. The routine, physical touch, emotional comfort, and exercise all work together to boost feel-good chemicals in the brain and activate our calming parasympathetic nervous system. For example, a small study using dogs as part of a 12-week intervention for children with ADHD showed a reduction in the severity of ADHD symptoms. The children and families were split into two groups and each got cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helped everyone. However, the group who also had dogs showed an even bigger reduction in symptom severity.

Another study on kids with ADHD getting therapy dogs even improved their levels of self-esteem. A recent 2024 study also found that people changed their social interactions when they got canine-assisted interventions. They had more human-to-human interactions, with dogs helping to create an environment that felt more comfortable for people to connect. Why Choose an ESA Over Other ADHD Therapies?While there isn’t a “one thing fix all” approach for ADHD management, ESAs have an incredible amount of support to offer. They’re a great addition to other therapies too, like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is highly effective. Here’s what an ESA can do for you and your family:

Immediate Emotional Support

• Natural calming and grounding support
• Unconditional companionship for a sense of security
• Constant, judgment-free presence for emotional stability
• Tactile touch and comfort that release “feel-good” neurochemicals

Holistic Therapeutic Benefits

• More physical activity
• Daily structure and routine
• Sense of purpose and boost in self-esteem when caring for another
• Extra time spent outdoors (more so with dogs)
  
  • Particularly helpful in reducing anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms

Easy Accessibility

• No prescription required
• Potentially more affordable
• All-natural and non-invasive
• Compliments existing treatments
• Works for children, adolescents, and adults

Plus, there are fewer negative side effects compared to medication (besides cleaning up poop, but for cat owners — that’s what robot litter boxes are for). You still get regulated neurotransmitters, it just might come with more fur in your house.

How to Get an ESA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting an ESA doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are the steps for getting a valid ESA: 

1. A Mental Health Challenge or Disability: If you have a condition, like ADHD, anxiety, or depression, you qualify for an ESA. 

2. An ESA That Supports You: You might already have a pet or be looking to get a specific ESA. Whatever animal you choose, they should offer meaningful support that helps you manage symptoms. 

3. A Licensed Mental Health Professional: If you’re looking to get a valid ESA letter, you’ll need to find a licensed professional in your state (which is possible online through Pettable in 24 hours). They’ll assess your need for an ESA and validate your needs.

4. An ESA Letter: Once the professional approves your ESA, they’ll write a certified letter that acts as an official document for housing and other accommodations. 

Once you’ve gone through this process, you’ll have an ESA and the documents you need to take them with you wherever you move. Even if it’s pet-restricted housing, you’re still allowed to bring your ESA under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This is a federal law that forces landlords to make accommodations for people with disabilities, including people with ESAs. Learn how to get an ESA for ADHD with Pettable.

Success Stories: Real-Life Benefits of ESAs for ADHD

If you go on online forums or even ask friends, most of them will likely tell you just how much they love their pets — and how much they help them relax, exercise, or feel grounded and comforted. For people with ADHD, an ESA’s effects can feel even more intense, with the benefits creating a domino effect that helps them feel more productive and secure overall. Here are just a few stories from a few Pettable clients who couldn’t live without their ESA:

‍“This process was very streamlined and was incredibly helpful for me. The stress of having to figure out how I was going to be able to keep my animal with me, which helps keep my ADHD manageable, was overwhelming. This ensures that I can focus on keeping things level. Christopher was patient and very kind during our discussion, thank you so much.”‍

‍Matt (Trustpilot)

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‍“I have six cats and was recently faced with an urgent moving situation; as a renter, it is impossible to find any place that will allow six "pet" cats. I have been diagnosed with depression for years, along with ADHD and insomnia, but being forced to rehome any of my cats - many of whom have special needs - would absolutely break me. I was able to schedule an appointment with Pettable just the day after registering, and was able to put enough detail into my questionnaire that a phone consult wasn't necessary. While the LMHP said they are really only authorized to write letters for up to three ESAs, she would write one for six and one for three. The property management company for my new apartment did, in fact, allow me to move in with six ESAs. My cats are my family, and I cannot thank Pettable enough for helping to keep my family together.”‍

Gretchen (Trustpilot)

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Our animals have a special place in our hearts and can offer much more support and stability than we ever thought possible. They help us naturally take a holistic approach to our health by giving us structure, purpose, comfort, and constant companionship. All their benefits put together can reduce stress, improve focus, and strengthen problem-solving skills. From boosting activity to offering judgment-free cuddles, they can help shift ADHD symptoms from overwhelming to manageable.

FAQs

Do ESAs Replace Medication Entirely?

There’s no way to say that an ESA can replace medication entirely. It depends on the person and their unique needs and symptoms. In general, ESAs are often considered a compliment to other therapies, like CBT and/or medication.

Can Any Pet Be an ESA?

Almost any domesticated pet can qualify as an ESA. That typically includes dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and rodents. A licensed mental health professional only needs to approve that they help your symptoms and can behave appropriately in public settings if needed.

What Legal Rights Do ESA Owners Have?

ESA owners are covered under the Fair House Act (FHA). You’re allowed to live with your ESA in all types of housing (even no-pet ones) and you’re exempt from extra pet fees. However, you still have to pay for any damage that might happen to the property because of your ESA.