Can I Travel with My Emotional Support Dog?
If you have an emotional support animal, you may be wondering if you can take your dog with you when traveling. The short answer is – it depends. In this article, I will explain the guidelines around traveling with an emotional support dog and provide answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship and affection. ESAs are prescribed by a mental health professional to help treat a disability such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks. Their role is to provide emotional support and comfort simply through their presence.
Can I Take My ESA on a Plane?
The Department of Transportation requires airlines to allow passengers with disabilities to travel with their emotional support animals in the cabin. However, there are certain documentation requirements:
- You must have a note from your mental health professional stating that you have a disability and need your ESA for emotional support during travel.
- Many airlines also require your ESA to be in a carrier or leash at all times.
- Some airlines limit ESAs to dogs and cats only.
Be sure to check individual airline policies, as requirements can vary. It’s best to notify the airline of your ESA at least 48 hours before your flight. Don’t just show up to the airport expecting to board with your animal – you need proper documentation approved in advance.
Can I Bring My ESA to Other Public Places?
While ESAs have certain access rights when it comes to housing and air travel, they do not have the same public access as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that places like restaurants, hotels, shopping malls etc. are not required to admit emotional support animals.
Private businesses set their own policies for accepting emotional support animals. In general, only service animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual’s disability should be permitted in public spaces like stores and restaurants. ESAs are legally only protected for housing and air travel purposes.
What Documentation Do I Need for My ESA?
To qualify your animal as an ESA, you’ll need a note from your licensed mental health professional. This note, often called an “ESA letter” should include:
- Your name
- Your health professional’s name, license number, and contact information
- Your diagnosed disability
- How the ESA provides emotional support
- Your health professional’s signature and date
Many sites provide pre-written ESA letters but these are not valid. It must come directly from your treating physician or mental health provider to qualify under the Fair Housing Act.
Can Hotels Deny an ESA?
Under the Fair Housing Act, rental properties and hotels cannot refuse a person with a disability who has an emotional support animal. However, they can require current documentation for your ESA. They also have the right to remove an animal that behaves aggressively or is not under the owner’s control.
While traveling with an ESA takes some preparation, it can make a huge difference for someone managing a mental illness. With the proper documentation, you should be able to take your furry companion along to provide that extra emotional support when needed.
I hope this helps answer any questions about traveling with an emotional support animal. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG?
| Airline | Policy |
|---|---|
| Delta | Allows ESAs in the cabin for a fee, requires forms signed by a licensed mental health professional |
| United | Allows ESAs in the cabin for a fee, requires forms signed by a licensed mental health professional |
| American | Allows ESAs in the cabin for a fee, requires forms signed by a licensed mental health professional |
| Southwest | Allows ESAs to accompany passenger at no charge, requires completed form signed by licensed mental health professional |
| Alaska | Allows ESAs in the cabin at no charge beyond pet fee, requires forms signed by a licensed mental health professional |
FAQ
- Can I bring my emotional support dog on an airplane? Yes, you are usually allowed to bring your emotional support dog with you in the cabin of a commercial airplane. However, airlines may have certain documentation requirements like a letter from your mental health professional stating your need for the animal.
- What documentation do I need for my emotional support dog? Most airlines require a letter from your licensed mental health professional verifying your condition and stating that you need the emotional support animal for travel or other activities. The letter should be on official letterhead and recently dated within one year. Some airlines may have additional forms to fill out as well.
- Are emotional support animals the same as service animals? No, there is a distinction between service animals and emotional support animals. Service animals are highly trained to perform specific tasks to help with disabilities, while emotional support animals provide comfort and support through their presence. Service animals have more extensive access rights than emotional support animals.
- Can my emotional support dog go everywhere with me? According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emotional support animals are not granted the same access privileges as service animals. While they may be allowed in no-pet housing and on planes, emotional support animals are not permitted in other public places like restaurants, stores, hotels, etc. unlike service animals.
- Are there any restrictions when flying with an emotional support animal? Yes, certain restrictions apply. The animal must remain on the floor at your feet or on your lap in the cabin. It cannot obstruct the aisle or other passengers. Many airlines also limit flying emotional support animals to dogs and sometimes small cats or miniature horses due to health and safety concerns.
- What should I do to prepare my emotional support dog for travel? To help your dog stay calm on a flight, get them accustomed to the carrier in advance throughdesensitization training. Consider sedation prescribed by your vet if your dog seems anxious. Bring plenty of water, and try to book direct flights to minimize time in cargo areas which are noisy and overwhelming for dogs. Make sure all vaccination records are up to date as well.
- So in summary, can I travel by plane with my emotional support dog? On the whole, traveling by commercial plane with an appropriately trained and certified emotional support dog is allowed in the US. However, airlines have their own policies regarding documentation and animal restrictions. With proper preparation and paperwork in order, flying with an emotional support dog is possible despite some limitations compared to service animals.
Additional Tips
On the other hand, some people argue that regulations around emotional support animals on planes are too lax. Nevertheless, for those with serious mental health conditions, having their companion animal by their side can be truly life-changing. At the same time, we must ensure accessibility for people who legitimately need support animals while stopping fraud which undermines their importance. All in all, a little empathy goes a long way in supporting those striving to cope with invisible disabilities.