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Emotional Support?

by Artema Z.
(Illinois, USA)

I am looking into getting an Australian Shepherd; but need to know whether they make good emotional support dogs. A family member suffers with depression and anxiety; but they love to exercise, so need a fairly active dog.

My research so far has shown the Australian Shepherd to be a good fit. But I want to be sure they are good emotional support animals.

Comments for Emotional Support?

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Aussie anti-depressant
by: Anonymous

You wont go wrong with an Aussie! I was suffering terribly with bouts of severe depression and since getting my Aussie 6 years ago have not needed medication or anything. I've still had down days but these are now very few & far between and short lived and nowhere near as debilitating. Besides their love of exercise, Aussie 's are playful, unbelievably humorous & goofy - they will bring a smile to your face even on the worst days. They are also sensitive and love nothing more than curling up with their human when they arent up to facing the world. If you can handle everything else that comes along with being an Aussie owner then you wont have any regrets at all.

Emotional Support
by: K

I've had depression and anxiety ever since puberty. I lived alone for almost 20 years. Four years before I met my husband, I adopted an Aussie from the pound. He was already two years old. I had met a psych dog, an Aussie, that was there on the unit to be pet and played with by patients. These dogs never get sick of attention and form strong bonds with people. I wish that I had gotten a dog sooner! There were days when he was the only soul that spoke to. You can't sleep all day when someone wants to play and needs to go outside. He got me outside and active.This beautiful, crazy dog lead me out of my deepest funks and I took him everywhere. Now, 8 years later, we are a happy and bigger family.

Companion
by: Tom

You could not get a better Companion and they love to exercise... I don't think you could go wrong in getting one

Emotional support
by: Jackie

First let me say that Aussies are a wonderfully compassionate breed. I grew up with an Aussie and I've had one myself for 5 years. In the past 5 years I've had some medical issues and Ellie has been right by my side. At one point she didn't leave my side for 9 hours, didn't even ask to go outside. We've experienced deaths in our family and Ellie senses the change in my demeanor and becomes very snuggly. I call her my best nurse :) That said, in my experience, that my anxiety tends to grow and feed anxiety in Ellie. I know that's typical for most breeds, not sure what level is normal though. As far as a dog to exercise with, you couldn't have chosen better. Ellie loves anything from walks to Frisbee. Ellie's favorite toy is her ball :) Ellie is my Joy and I'm sure you'd find an Aussie yours as well. I commend you for doing your homework on breeds considering your specific needs. A dog is going to be very lucky to call you family!

Aussie & PTSD
by: Anonymous

As far as I'm concerned they are.
Our aussie seems to know when something is wrong and pays more attention to my husband that has PTSD and gets him back to semi "normal". The dog does more for him than I can most times.
Very loyal and loving.

Emotional Support
by: Tom

You could do no wrong in getting an Aussie for this person, they are very smart and adapt in any situation, they can sense depression and they will give much love, they will steal your heart.

Get an Aussie
by: Anonymous

I have 3 Aussies. They are by far the most loving, active, and loyal dogs I have ever had. They constantly are by my side giving me such love and devotion that I couldn't imagine possible. We are a pack, a family and on days when I really don't want to take our big pack walk, they make sure I get them out there. I would recommend them to everyone.

that should be their middle name.
by: Wilda

omg emotional support is their middle name. if my boy Cooper even thinks that I'm sad or upset because of a sigh I let out, or my voice, he will sit beside me, look at me, nudge me. trust me, they are the best dog, especially for that. they will follow you around, even to the bathroom. they will listen and look to you for signs, and they will be there for you.

and...
by: Wilda

forgot to mention, that my Cooper must have known my cat was dying, so he would let him walk on him, sit on him, lay on him...

station dog
by: Anonymous

Im an emt and at one of the ambulance services i worked for would allow employees to bring there well behaved dogs to work. One of our dispatchers had an Australian shepherd and she was a sweet heart. This dog was amazing and had what seemed to be a sixth sense with human emotions. She would pick up on it when we were having a difficult day or had just had a bad call and would greet us with her tail wagging or put her head in our laps. She had been found as a stray by her owner and only had 3 legs. Our dispatcher had not trained her to be a therapy dog but she served that capacity unofficially.

Aussies are bomb
by: Anonymous

Aussies are so incredibly loyal, loving and snuggly! I suffered from depression, separation anxiety and addiction for years. My therapist suggested getting a dog to keep me from spending all my time drinking, sleeping and doing drugs. I chose a Mini Australian Shepherd and she changed my life! I’ve been sober for two years and it all started with my baby girl, Fiona! They have an undying need to please their owners and HAVE TO be right next to you 24/7. They are incredibly intuitive and can sense your mood Immediately. I loved Fi so much I ended up getting a second Mini Aussie, Mowgli! I will own an Aussie for the rest of my life. They’re very hyper/active so it is imperative that you make time to exercise them regularly. Aussies are amazing companions but I will admit they can be rather difficult puppies. Really easy dogs to train if you put the time and effort in, but if you don’t, they will rock your world! Great breed of dog if you're willing to put the effort in to train them!

Aussies as emotional support
by: Anonymous

I’ve had German Shepherds all my life and love them! However, when our last Shepherd died two years ago, I got a mix Shepherd/Aussie. It was the best thing I could have ever done at this time in my life! I’m am dealing with strong menopausal symptoms along with sleepless nights because of pain. Willow knows immediately when I’m struggling emotionally and comes to lay her head on my lap. She even insists by pressing harder when she knows I’m upset. When I’m anxious she’ll let me rub her tummy or legs or feet for long periods of time. She was exactly what I needed! Since I’ve always had Shepherds, this is new to me.
I still love my Shepherds and think they’re the most beautiful dogs, but Willow is what I needed now. She even looks like a Shepherd but has the temperament of an Aussie.

This was so helpful.
by: Anonymous

I won't lie to you, some of these comments brought tears to my eyes. I have personally dealt with anxiety for more than 10 years, however recently my young daughter has experienced a trauma. She is a very active (hyper) playful girl, but is also easily stressed, anxious and emotional. She has such a love for animals and a deep desire to have a dog to care for. I was looking into to ESA and a lot of suggestions say "mellow" "laid back" and I know for my girl she needs a dog that can run with her in the yard for hours and lay beside her at night.

I LOVE Aussies because of their energy, intelligence, beauty, and frankly their little doggie souls. I feel like I've been sold that an Aussie could DEFINITELY be an ESA.

My boy buddy
by: Anonymous

I would 1000% recommend an Aussie. I got my boy by chance or if you believe in the universe and fate. I was in the early stages of finding out about my numerous mental health challenges and he came into my life at the right time.

I am a carpenter and he comes to work with me everyday. Definitely breaks the mould of "hyperactive" all day. He is now 2.5 years old and has been coming on sites with me since 12 weeks old. The dozen or so days I have left him home my wife has told me he barks and is a menace.

At work he is always near me, sits or lays within full view of me the whole time. When I’m having my bad days he's always within a foot away. That's even when my tools are going non stop.

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