Animals are perfect and are actually very important. For some, they can be so much more than just a pet. Struggling with anxiety and/or depression is very difficult, especially alone. That's why animals are so great.

Sometimes it's hard to talk to people when having a depressive episode, but it's not good to be alone. Animals fill that role perfectly. You don't have to talk to anyone but they will cuddle to your hearts desire. They're warm and furry and bring smiles.

When dealing with anxiety, you constantly want to be around someone. Sometimes people are too busy and you just can't find someone to be with. A pet is always there when you need someone.

"An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that a medical professional has determined provides benefit for an individual with a disability."

Emotional support animals can go on planes with you, go to hotels with you, and landlords have to allow you to have them, even if the property is not a pet friendly property. If you're someone that struggles with pretty much any mental disorder, you can talk to your doctor and get a doctors note to show for any of these situations and if it is a dog, you can register them at www.usdogregistry.org as an emotional support animal. There are also options for a therapy dog or a service dog. Therapy dogs don't get as many rights, like they can't go on planes and stay in hotels, but they are similar. Service animals are only for people with physical disabilities that can't function in public without their animal.

I had my own emotional support animal for a while and will soon be getting another, and I can tell you they really can be life savers. Animals are a great gift and I couldn't imagine life without them.

(This is the dog I'm hoping to get! She'll be named Cocoa Puff if I get her.)