WILDLIFE

Humans Aren’t The Only Animals Who Need Emotional Support Dogs

Here’s why Cheetahs need them, as well.

Matt Lillywhite
2 min readMar 1, 2021

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Image via Twitter

Contrary to popular belief, emotional support animals are not pets. In fact, they’re genuinely necessary for many people with a disability. As the American Kennel Club states:

“The presence of a dog is critical to their ability to function normally on a daily basis. The pet provides emotional support and comfort that helps them deal with challenges that might otherwise compromise their quality of life.”

I have a friend called Olivia who lives in the United Kingdom. Her mother is blind and has an emotional support dog to support her during daily life. Without the dog, her quality of life would significantly diminish, as she wouldn’t be able to safely go outside and cross the street without the aid of another person.

But it’s not just people that require emotional support animals. Cheetahs often need help with their mental health, as well.

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Matt Lillywhite

Full-time storyteller, part-time procrastinator. Writing to inspire, entertain, and avoid doing laundry. Substack: https://mattlillywhite.substack.com/subscribe