ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Emotional support animal

An emotional support animal is a special pet that helps someone feel better when they are sad, scared or anxious. Just like how a teddy bear or a blankie might make a child feel happy or safe, emotional support animals can help adults feel more calm and comfortable when they are feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.

These animals can be any kind of pet- a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a bird, or even a lizard! The important thing is that their owner relies on them to feel better. These animals are not like normal pets because they are specifically trained to provide emotional support to their owners.

People who need emotional support animals can feel unwell or unhappy in certain situations- like when they are flying in an airplane, staying in a hotel or even in their own home. Emotional support animals are allowed to be with their owners in these situations- even if other pets are not allowed. That's because emotional support animals are more than just pets- they are a very important part of their owner's life!