How an Emotional Support Dog Helps My Daughter with Sickle Cell Disease

A couple of weeks ago, my princess started to suffer from back pain again. This officially started last year, and it seems to have been knocking on the door for weeks now.

My daughter's chronic pain journey

I remember the doctors saying that she had chronic back pain, and I was devastated because I couldn’t accept the fact that she would suffer from chronic pain.

A year later, she is experiencing the same pain again, and it is a tough, painful journey to be on. The same discussions I’ve had with her medical team in New Jersey, I need to have here with her medical team in Florida. And the same conversations with the school as well. But that is another story.

It was a crazy Saturday, and I tried to walk with my princess around the house because she had been lying in bed for days. She didn’t want to walk or even play with her friends or Roblox. Seeing her in bed with a lot of pain is one of the hardest things to go through as a mom.

Deciding to get an emotional support dog

That Saturday, I decided to do something else to make her excited to get out of bed. I asked her if she wanted to go to the store with me, and she said no. For a drive? No! Starbucks? No! Do you want to get a puppy? She looked at me and asked, “a real puppy???” I said yes! She looked at me and said, “Yes!!!!”

She has asked me for a puppy for years! But I couldn’t imagine having a puppy and taking care of it in addition to all the other things I need to do. But I’ve had some long conversations with doctors about emotional support dogs for kids living with a chronic illness, and I started to read more about it. I believed that she could use some good, fluffy, snuggling, and happy distractions.

Welcome home Cooper

Up we go! On our way to the puppy store. After seeing hundreds of puppies, she saw one specific fluffy puppy and fell in love the moment she held him in her eyes. She was sitting on the floor in the store with the puppy in her hands and said, “I want him!”

We drove back home with our newest family member to start a new life. My princess enjoyed giving him his name, “Cooper,” looking for fun things to give him, and educating herself and me on the best food, drink, snacks, etc. She was enjoying the journey since day one.

How Cooper helps

Cooper is a lifesaver who keeps her moving and happy. He literally came into our lives as an angel. He is such a blessing to our family. He is a Bichon Poodle, and he fits perfectly in our family. He has the same sunshine character as my princess, and he loves to cuddle. When you see my princess, you see Cooper. Everywhere we go, we go with Cooper.

When she is in pain, Cooper is not able to take away the pain, but he can cuddle with her, comfort her, play with her, and let her focus on other things instead of her pain. It’s not an easy journey, and I don’t know all the answers, but I know that I will keep trying to figure out what the best fit is for our family.

Emotional support dogs for sickle cell

Let us begin with the definition of an emotional support dog, with what it isn’t—a service dog. Most people mistakenly categorize emotional support dogs as service dogs. Emotional support dogs do not require specific training and are meant to provide mental or emotional stability to their owners through companionship and love. As very affectionate animals, dogs fill this role incredibly well.¹

What makes an emotional support dog?

So, what differentiates an emotional support dog from any regular dog?  Well, an emotional support dog is one that a licensed mental health professional designates as an animal that provides mental and emotional benefits to someone with a disability. Do note that dogs are not the only emotional support animals (ESAs). All domesticated animals can qualify, including cats, hedgehogs, teacup pigs, miniature horses, rabbits, mice, and even snakes.¹

There is a lot of information online about emotional support animals, but the best person to guide you through this is your doctor. Because they know the journey best, and they know exactly what the needs of your dog are.

A dynamic duo

Every time I see her being happy with Cooper, my heart smiles at them. Taking care of a puppy is a full-time job that costs a lot of money and energy. But when I look at my princess and the progress she makes, I feel so grateful to be able to support her in the best way possible.