28 of the best emotional support animal breeds

The best emotional support animal breeds can provide us with comfort, safety and companionship during those times in our lives when we may be struggling with emotional or mental health challenges, such as anxiety, stress or depression.

Offering a wide range of therapeutic benefits, animals can help improve our health, mood and quality of life through their soothing presence. Wonderful for helping us to emotionally regulate and for boosting our mood, whether you choose a dog for emotional support or go with a more unique choice (such as a pig or goat), know that having an animal around can enrich your life in so many ways.

Feeding, grooming, exercising and just generally caring for an animal can provide you with a sense of purpose, and in return, animals are wonderful, non-judgemental listeners who are always ready to offer love and affection with no strings attached. To help you find the right emotional support animal for you, we've rounded up all of the best candidates — and a few may just surprise you!