How My Dog Helped Me Cope with Depression After a Major Life Change Discussions

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a personal experience about how the human–animal bond helped me through a difficult period of depression. After retiring and relocating from Arizona to Florida, I initially felt excited, but within a few weeks I began experiencing restless nights, irritability, anxiety, and low mood. The sudden change in routine and environment was harder on me than I expected.

After speaking with a licensed therapist, I learned that an emotional support animal could be helpful as part of my mental health care. I went through proper therapeutic sessions with My ESA Therapist, and after about 30 days, I received my ESA letter. Having my dog with me has made a real difference—providing comfort, daily structure, and emotional stability during moments when motivation and mood were low.

Beyond emotional support, having my ESA also helped with housing stability, as my landlord accepted the letter without additional pet fees. This experience really reinforced for me how important pets can be in supporting mental well-being, especially during major life transitions.