ESA vs SERVICE ANIMALS

🐾We take many steps to ensure the most intelligent puppies are created at PawfectPawPals.

1. Prenatal & Early Life Care

• Stress-free environment for the mother during pregnancy
• Gentle handling of newborns to build trust and human bonding

2. Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

• Days 3–16: brief daily exercises like:
  • Holding the puppy in different positions
  • Gentle tactile stimulation
  • Exposure to mild stressors
• Builds resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving

3. Socialization (Weeks 3–12)

• Introduce puppies to:
  • Different people (ages, ethnicities, clothing styles)
  • Varied sounds (vacuum, doorbell, traffic)
  • Surfaces (grass, tile, carpet, gravel)
  • Objects (umbrellas, wheelchairs, strollers)
• Goal: Create confident, curious, non-reactive pups

4. Foundational Training

• Start clicker training and positive reinforcement
• Teach basic commands: sit, stay, come, leave it
• Begin crate training, potty training, and leash walking
• Encourage focus on handler and calm behavior in public

5. Temperament Testing (Week 7–10)

• Assess for:
  • Startle recovery
  • Problem-solving ability
  • Sociability and independence
  • Sensitivity to sound or touch
• Helps identify which pups are best suited for service roles

6. Desensitization & Handling

• Get puppies used to:
  • Grooming, nail trimming, vet exams
  • Wearing harnesses or vests
  • Being gently restrained or lifted
• Builds tolerance for future medical or public interactions

7. Transfer to Puppy Raisers or Trainers

• Provide a training log and behavioral profile
• Ensure smooth handoff to advanced trainers or service dog programs

An ESA dog—short for Emotional Support Animal—is a dog that provides comfort, companionship, and emotional stability to someone dealing with a mental or emotional condition like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or panic disorders 🐾💛

🧠 What Makes a Dog an ESA?

• It’s not about specialized training like service dogs receive.
• Instead, the dog’s presence alone helps ease symptoms of a diagnosed emotional or psychological condition.