What an Emotional Support Animal Really Means

I say this with love: my 4 month old kitten Murtagh is a wonderful companion. He is fuzzy, soft and playful. He compels me to keep up, feed him and maintain routines. He can also (as a former client shared) “attack with his murderous claws” and destroy almost anything. Kidding - not kidding.

I have loved cats my whole life. I had to stay away from them when I was young. Even the slightest whiff of cat (dander) sent me spiraling into an asthma attack. We did not have inhalers in those days, so that meant a trip to the ER and often a hospital stay just to get my lungs to settle down.

Nowadays, thanks to modern medicine and Zyrtec, I can live with this sweet boy. He is glad to see me when I come home and gives me someone to talk to throughout the day (and night). Without the ESA designation, I do not think my landlords would have allowed me to bring him here. Do you have a comfort animal?