Can Psychiatric Service Dogs Fly? Rules for Bringing Your Emotional Support Animal on a Plane

Flying with Your Psychiatric Service Dog: What You Need to Know

For many people living with mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression, a psychiatric service dog can make a huge difference in their daily lives. These highly-trained canine companions help their handlers cope with challenging symptoms, ground them during panic attacks, and provide much-needed emotional support. However, traveling by air with a psychiatric service dog can be tricky due to specific regulations. In this article, I will address some common questions and concerns regarding flying with a psychiatric service animal.

What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog?

A psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a handler’s mental illness. This could include things like waking a handler from nightmares, creating space in crowds, blocking harming behaviors during self-harm episodes, and fetching help from a caretaker during emotional crises. Psychiatric service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act just like other service animals, but regulations governing air travel impose some additional requirements specific to flying.

Do I Need Documentation for My Psychiatric Service Dog?

Yes, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires all passengers traveling with a psychiatric service animal to provide current documentation on the letterhead of a licensed mental health professional stating your need for the animal. This letter should describe how the dog is trained to help mitigate your mental health condition. Counseling notes, prescriptions, or diagnoses alone are not sufficient – the documentation must come directly from your mental health provider. It’s a good idea to contact airlines in advance as well to verify their specific documentation policies.

What Behavior Is Expected of a Psychiatric Service Dog During Air Travel?

Just like other service dogs, a psychiatric service animal should remain under its handler’s control at all times through voice commands or signals, not act aggressively, exhibit disruptive behavior, or relieve itself in the passenger cabin. This means the dog must stay calm on leashes beside or under the airline seat without barking, growling, or disruptive movements for the duration of the flight. If at any time the animal displays uncontrollable behavior, the airline has the right to refuse transport or require the dog be crated in the cargo hold instead of the cabin. So it’s important to rigorously train a psychiatric service dog to behave appropriately in stressful environments like airports and aircrafts.

What Types of Breeds Are Allowed?

There is no blanket restriction on breeds of psychiatric service dogs. Any type or size of dog can potentially be trained for psychiatric work as long as it meets public access test criteria established in the 2010 ADA regulations. Factors like the dog’s actual behavior and training – not breed stereotypes – determine whether it qualifies as a service animal under law. While some airlines have unofficial breed restrictions due to potential safety concerns, official DOT rules do not prohibit any particular breed from flying in passenger cabins as service animals.

Will My Psychiatric Service Dog Fly in the Cabin or Cargo Hold?

In general, psychiatric (and other) service animals are allowed to accompany their handlers in the passenger cabin of commercial flights. However, a few things can affect cabin vs cargo transport:

1. Size of dog – Airlines may require small dogs travel in carriers that fit under seats.
2. Advance airline notification – Contacting carriers ahead of time avoids surprises.
3. Behavior during flight – Signs of aggressive/uncontrollable behavior can lead to cargo hold placement.
4. Airline policies – Certain carriers have stricter policies on specific high-risk breeds.

With proper training, behavior, and documentation, most psychiatric service dogs are approved to ride in passenger cabins where they have direct access to their handlers. But be prepared for cargo hold transport as a possibility, especially with unpredictable animal behaviors.

What if I’m Asked For Documentation at the Airport?

From my experience working with service dog teams, it’s always a good idea to carry current documentation when flying in case an airline requests it. Under DOT rules, airlines can ask for verification that an animal is really a service animal and not a pet. Not providing paperwork when asked gives the airline legal grounds to deny boarding. However, while documentation provides a level of certainty, remember that mental health information is private – airline staff should not demand to read specifics like diagnoses. Sticking to HIPAA compliance allows smooth traveling most of the time in my experience.

What If I’m Told I Can’t Fly With My Psychiatric Service Dog?

Obviously, being denied the right to fly with your properly trained psychiatric service animal after having provided all necessary certification can cause distress. In such cases, it’s important to remain calm and politely request to speak to a passenger relations supervisor to try resolving any misunderstanding. Explain your dog’s tasks and your disability-related need for companionship in a collected manner. If the issue persists, contact your DOT civil rights division to file a formal disability discrimination complaint.

It also helps to get the name of employees involved, flight details, and their specific reasons for denial to build a case if legal action becomes necessary down the line. However, in the vast majority of cases, flying with a psychiatric service dog goes smoothly if trained professionally by a qualified organization. The key is responsible ownership, preparation, and calm cooperation with airline staff.

Any Tips for Reducing Stress When Flying?

Flying can be challenging even without added worries over service animal policies. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful from both my professional experience as well as dealing with my own anxiety when traveling:

1. Fly during off-peak times if possible for shorter lines/waits.
2. Arrive extra early at the airport to avoid time crunches.
3. Bring calming items like a favorite chew toy or blanket for your dog.
4. Consider using calming supplements or aids for yourself as needed.
5. Ask for pre-boarding if flying with a service animal to settle in sooner.
6. Call TSA Cares if needing special airport screening assistance.

Taking proactive steps to set expectations and minimize stressors can help flights go far more smoothly for both service animals and their human partners. And don’t hesitate to use positive outlets like deep breathing, music, or podcasts to stay relaxed along the way.

Let me know if any other questions come up! Proper preparation and education are key to ensuring the rights of psychiatric service dog teams are respected seamlessly when flying. With diligent training and certification, the skies should be accessible.

Preparing Your Psychiatric Service Dog to Fly

Requirement	Details
Proper Training	Your service dog must be trained to behave appropriately in public. This means it must be housebroken, not bark or growl, not jump on people, etc.
Vest and ID Tags	Your service dog must wear a vest and ID tags identifying it as a service animal when traveling. The vest helps others recognize it is working.
Health Records	Keep vaccination and health records in an easily accessible place to show airlines if requested.
Aircraft familiarization	Consider training your service dog to be comfortable walking on and off aircraft as well as being in the confined space of the cabin.
Container or Crate	Bring a soft-sided kennel or carrier to stow your dog under the seat in front of you during take-off and landing for safety.

FAQ

1. Can I bring my psychiatric service dog on an airplane?

   Basically, yes – under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you are allowed to bring your psychiatric service dog with you on flights. The dog must be trained to behave properly and not disrupt the flight. Airlines cannot refuse the dog or charge a fee, although they may ask for documentation that proves the dog’s training and your need for it.

2. Will my psychiatric service dog need any special paperwork to fly?

   Yes, to avoid any issues it’s a good idea to have paperwork for your psychiatric service dog when flying. You’ll need a letter from your mental health professional stating that you have a disability and your dog is trained to help mitigate it. The letter shouldn’t share private details. You’ll also need proof the dog was trained by an assistance dog organization. Keep copies handy in case an airline asks to see them.

3. Where will my psychiatric service dog sit on the plane?

   Psychiatric service dogs are usually allowed to sit at your feet or on your lap during the flight. However, in some cases if the dog is larger, it may need to sit in the floor space under the seat in front of you or in a different area of the plane that works for both you and the airline staff. Communication beforehand is key to find the best spot for your dog on each flight.

   

4. Do airlines charge extra fees for psychiatric service dogs?

   Despite what you may have heard, airlines are not supposed to charge a fee just because you’re traveling with a psychiatric service dog. Under the ADA, the dog should fly for free like any other medical equipment you need. Nevertheless, some airlines in the past have tried to charge fees. So you’ll want to check each airline’s policy and clarify any costs upfront to avoid issues at the airport.

5. Will my psychiatric service dog be able to accompany me in the airport?

   Yes, as long as it is properly harnessed, leashed, and under your control, a psychiatric service dog must be allowed to accompany you in all areas of the airport that are open to the public – like the terminal, gate areas, baggage claim, and mobility areas. However, it cannot go with you into areas like lounges that are not part of the public areas.

On the other hand, while psychiatric service dogs are basically welcome during air travel, you do need to make sure your dog behaves well in crowds and unknown environments like airports. Perhaps take your pet to practice airport trips before the big day? Is that fair to ask? Luckily most trained dogs do fine with all the airport activity once accustomed to it. But is it worth stressing your dog if they seem especially anxious in that setting? You know your dog best.