{"id":3000076990,"date":"2025-01-13T14:22:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T19:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=3000076990"},"modified":"2026-02-13T11:23:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T16:23:13","slug":"what-to-know-about-emotional-support-animals-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/research-insights\/research-studies\/what-to-know-about-emotional-support-animals-at-work","title":{"rendered":"What to know about Emotional Support Animals (ESA) at work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of us have spent the past couple of years enjoying the benefits of remote work to the fullest. Greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and lack of daily commutes are probably the first things that come to mind \u2013 but that\u2019s only when we ask people other than pet owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latter will say that the cherry on top of their work-from-home experience was the time they got to spend with their loyal companions. It\u2019s no news that pets improve our mood, reduce stress, offer companionship, and help release all the happy hormones that keep us going. But without even digging deep into the mental and physical health benefits that our four-legged friends bring, we can all agree: there\u2019s no such thing as spending too much time with our cats or dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what happens when you want to or need to return to the office? Do you have to trade your four-legged coworker for your colleagues or is there a way for you to enjoy the company of both? Simply put, can you bring your pet to work with you<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answers vary greatly depending on the role your pet fulfills in your life as well as on the policies your office has in place. Perhaps your pooch is a certified service animal, in which case your employer will be required by law to accommodate them, whether or not the office is pet-inclusive. However, things are a bit less clear in the case of emotional support animals or ESAs, so let\u2019s shed more light on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Emotional support animals are the unsung heroes of our time. On top of the usual benefits that pets bring, ESAs alleviate symptoms related to mental or emotional disorders \u2013 think anything from anxiety and depression to PTSD and certain phobias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do they do that? The short answer is, effortlessly. Unlike service animals, they lack any specific training to aid their owners. Instead, they offer comfort through their mere presence and affection, just as you might expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It follows naturally, then, that an ESA can be any type of animal, the most popular ones including dogs, cats, and even miniature horses or pigs. In the context of the office, though, we\u2019ll be considering dogs<\/a> only, as they\u2019re usually easier to train and can therefore better adapt to the work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n