How Therapy Animals of All Kinds Are Helping People Heal

The Power of the Unexpected Companion

When we think of animals that support mental health, most of us immediately picture dogs. But healing doesn’t always come in the form of a wagging tail. Sometimes, it hops in on four soft feet and long ears.

Therapy animals come in all shapes and species—and Rosie the Rabbiter is proving just how powerful that diversity can be. Her mission? To bring comfort and connection through rabbit-based pet therapy programs for veterans, hospice patients, trauma survivors, and more. Her work is not only creative—it's deeply impactful.

In a world that often leans on medication or traditional therapy alone, Rosie is expanding the way we think about healing.

What’s the Difference?

Let’s clear up a common point of confusion: not all support animals are the same.

Therapy Animal
Therapy animals are trained to provide comfort to multiple individuals in structured settings, such as hospitals, schools, or nursing homes. Therapy animals may be a dog, cat, rabbit, or other animal. While they undergo some level of training, their purpose is different from service or emotional support animals. Therapy animals work with their handlers to bring emotional relief, comfort, and companionship to various people in need. They differ from service animals in the training they receive and the legal protections under the ADA. They are not granted public access rights under the ADA.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
Emotional support animals (ESAs) or comfort animals do not require special training to perform specific tasks. An ESA may be a dog, cat, or other animal. Their primary role is to provide comfort, companionship, and emotional stability to individuals with mental or emotional challenges. ESAs do not have the same public access rights as service dogs and are not allowed in public places. However, federal law gives ESAs protection under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows people to live with their ESA in “no-pet” housing as a reasonable accommodation.

Service Animal
Service dogs undergo extensive, specialized training to work or perform tasks related to their handler’s disability. The ADA protects people with disabilities and gives them legal access to public places like restaurants, stores, and other facilities. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) also upholds the rights of service dog handlers to bring their dogs into airplane cabins during air travel.

Why Rabbits?

Dogs are not the only ones who can support healing. Rabbits, in particular, offer a unique and calming presence:

• Quiet and gentle—great for people with PTSD, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety
• Soft, rhythmic grooming behavior can soothe both children and adults
• Compact and easy to handle in clinical and elder care settings
• Non-threatening demeanor makes them perfect for trauma survivors and the medically fragile

Rosie’s therapy rabbits are certified through her structured program, and they’ve already made waves in trauma-informed care spaces throughout the Midwest.

The Travel Reality

It’s important to remember: emotional support animals (ESAs) and therapy animals are not recognized under the ACAA when it comes to air travel. Every airline has different policies regarding flying with pets. 

If you're traveling with a rabbit or non-dog support animal:

• You will need to pay a pet fee and follow airline carrier rules
• Your animal must be in a carrier under the seat
• Plan for your animal’s comfort: temperature, noise, hydration
• Check state and international laws on exotic or small animals

That said, if you're considering psychiatric service dog (PSD) status, the journey looks very different—and that’s where Paws on Planes can help.

Where to Start If You Need Support

Support doesn’t have to look one way. It might be a Labrador with a vest, a velvety rabbit with a calm presence, or just a space to be heard.

If you're:

• Looking for comfort in grief or trauma
• Supporting a child or adult with sensory processing challenges
• Exploring whether an ESA or service animal might fit your lifestyle

...start with learning from those who do the work well.

Rosie the Rabbiter offers programs that show just how impactful rabbits can be as therapy animals. Her mission reminds us that emotional relief and connection can come in unexpected forms—and sometimes, the softest support can be the most powerful.

And if you’re considering whether your mental health might benefit from a service animal who can travel with you—I’m here to help.

Whether your healing comes from a golden retriever, a gentle rabbit, or a deep breath and a warm hug—support looks different for everyone.

If you're curious about the best path for your journey, let’s find it together.

🛫 Book a Consult with Paws on Planes

🐰 Learn More About Rosie the Rabbiter