Emotional support dogs have proven to be effective in the treatment of several conditions including sleeping disorders. Let’s take a look at how they help.

1. Does
Emotional
Support Dogs
Add Value to
Treatment
For Sleeping
Disorders?
August 2019
Prepared by: My ESA Doctor
2001 East 1st St Ste 102 Santa Ana,
CA 92705

2. 37% sleeping during the day.50 out of every 100,000 people have obstructive sleep
apnea.40% report to have a short sleep duration.And approximately 70 million
American adults have one or the other type of sleep disorder.Whether we agree or
not, it is apparent that there are a lot of sleep issues growing in our society.Sleep
specialists work on a combination of treatments that’s not precisely dependent on just
medications. Rather, understanding the choices that affect the sleep patterns of the
patient.And guess what, even the specialists agree that patients could use dogs as a
part of their decision-making process as a guide and direct treatment therapy
alternative.In fact, co-sleeping with pets is garnering a lot of attention in Western
countries.But, why is there so much discussion about emotional support dogs being the
part of animal-assisted therapy for patients with sleeping disorders?Dogs and
Humans- The History Goes Back to CenturiesOur association with cats and dogs in
terms of empathy and a co-habitant is centuries old. We share an incredible
anthropological history.That is why humans see dogs as family members not from other
species or as a threat.A detailed study on the human-dog relations conducted by the
University of Central Lancashire found that more than 40% of the pet owners consider
dogs as their family member that helped to improve their social compatibility.Also, they
are immensely attentive and somehow have some innate ability to sense the next move
of their handlers.It’s magical that they understand the emotions in such a clear way.
They completely decode your expressions simply like an expert.But, does that make
emotional support dogs or service animals an effective treatment therapy for millions
of patients suffering from a range of sleeping disorders.Well, let’s figure that out
ourselves in the next section of this article.
Sleep Disorders- Can Dogs Help?
Unlike what most of us think, sleep disorders are just not limited to insomnia.
There is definitely more to that.There are more than 80 types of sleep
disorders that might affect your natural sleep patterns. Here we will be
discussing some of the major types and do emotional support dogs play any
role in alleviating the condition in any way.
MY ESA DOCTOR
02

3. Insomnia
It is primarily the inability of any person to fall or stay asleep. This is probably the
most common type of sleep disorder faced by Americans.And, to your relief, dogs
have an amazing ability to make you feel secure. Thereby promoting relaxation and
mental peace. This is somehow missing in people with frequent sleep deprivation
issues.And not only that, having dog co-sleeping by your side gives the necessary
warmth to help your mind calm down within that instant.Things that make emotional
support dogs excellent cohabitants include- wagtail, hugging, licking. And the
things that make them super sleep partners are- snuggling, guarding, and rhythmic
breathing.It’s like having a pooch around a person who is anxious about falling into
sleep will be assured of someone next to them and feel relaxed. Thus, falling into
deep sleep consequently.
Sleep Apnea
It is a potentially debilitating condition where breathing repeatedly starts and stops.
If you also snore and sleep full night ending up being tired the next day.Then,
you might be affected by sleep apnea. And, again, dogs are helpful in waving off
the triggers that might result in patients failing to breathe properly. Just a paw
touch and the patient gets back to the natural routine without waking up.It’s like the
dog gives the necessary cues to the patient. One can try the masking technique
where a patient wears one but a slight change in the position notifies the dog that
something is wrong.
MY ESA DOCTOR
03
Nightmares
More than 50% of the patients affected with PTSD have an acute issue of
nightmares.The fear of dreams makes the patient crazy when they try to sleep. And, yet
again comes the magic tough of emotional support dogs.Dogs help to mitigate the
anxiety which causes mood swings, takes you away from the normal sleep cycle. Also,
they help to alleviate stress factors that bring out the best in you. Hence, enabling to
sleep peacefully.

4. Narcolepsy
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04
Narcolepsy is a condition where a patient is unable to control sleep cycles, which
sometimes even result in loss of muscle controls.It is often seen that people with
narcolepsy have symptoms of extreme fatigue which might result in anxiety or
depression.Dogs are helpful in using pressure therapy tactics and those sloppy
kisses and hugs.
So, it lowers the heart rate and blood pressure thereby allowing quick recovery
mode. Having a partner by your side makes it possible for you to mitigate any
stressful barriers altogether.Sleep disorders are something that makes you go
crazy as you are unable to concentrate over anything. Making you less
productive.Having an emotional support dog by your side will help to alleviate a
range of symptoms associated with sleep disorders making you reach the right
amount and quality of sleep effectively.