Emotional Support Animals, specifically dogs, have gotten out of control and the airlines have a hard time fighting their customers on the rule. But if you’re not a veteran of the military or disabled, leave your dog at home!
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Emotional Support and Why It’s Hard For Airlines to Be Strict
Recently, Delta Air Lines, announced that they would no longer allow Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) on their long-haul domestic flights.
For reasons of importation, quarantine, and international regulations, Emotional Support Animals are not allowed in the cabin on international flights, but domestic flights allow the animals by law. The passenger must demonstrate that the animal has been prescribed by someone holding a medical degree (I’m not sure if I am comfortable calling all of them doctors yet – like this one that will sell you an ESA letter for $22).
Airlines have a hard time restricting the animals because the Air Carrier Access Act allows passengers to travel with their pet for free in the cabin does not specify the type of animal it should be. Airlines should also be cautious, in the age of litigation and public relations disasters, about doing anything to violate the rights of a person that could have a legitimate medical claim.
The Federal Government could force airlines to comply or penalize them for failing to allow the access to a paying customer who otherwise followed the regulation especially if it seems to violate their rights associated with the ACAA or the American Disabilities Act.
It’s Akin to Abusing a Handicapped Parking Sticker
Let’s just agree that some percentage of people truly need an emotional support animal to be with them at all times. I have seen cases for those on the autism spectrum that would qualify certainly. But if we say that of those that have emotional support animals on airplanes that genuinely need them are limited to at most, 5% of those that take animals onboard, it still amounts to massive abuse of the system.
I don’t see much difference in someone who has an ailment that qualifies a handicapped parking sticker but really doesn’t fall into the full intention of the law. For example, assume that you’re the parent of a wheelchair-bound child and you park 30 spots away from the front of a store without an additional easement adjacent to the vehicle for your folding ramp. You get to the front of the store where the occupied handicapped stalls feature a 50-year old man with sunglasses rolling the top back on his convertible, and as he backs up, tosses the handicapped hanger into his glove box. He had a heart attack 15 years ago.
Does he really qualify for that parking spot today? Who needed easy access to the building more?
The American Disabilities Act created important reforms to protect those who have different needs than the able-bodied. It’s important legislation, and everyone who abuses its generosity abuses those who qualify under its protection. The same applies here. When a passenger pays a doctor (especially one that they do not normally see) for a specific outcome so that they can travel with their pet, it makes a mockery of the narrow, valid use case for the rule.
What Did ESA Travelers Do Before This?
I remember a time… a simpler time… when ESAs were just not a thing. Passengers had to pay for their animals to travel in the cabin with them, they had to fit in a container, be a certain size/weight and there was (is) a fee to carry them as an extension to the passenger. I paid $100 to transport a cat in the cabin once, it wasn’t an Emotional Support Animal, but I chose to have it in the cabin with me rather than under the hold where it would be subjected to a potentially dangerous situation (animals do not have great experiences in July on the tarmac and in the cargo hold). I paid for it because that’s what the rule was and I abided it.
For ESAs there is no charge. There is also no rule about the size, shape, animal or breed and while some airlines have started to narrow down what’s no longer allowed (squirrels, peacocks for example)
My aunt feels very close to her dogs. Very, very close. She signs their names on Christmas cards and considers them to be family. This post isn’t about her, I don’t know if she flies with her Huskies. But when she went away before, to Hawaii or back to the Midwest, a friend or neighbor would watch her dogs. In fact, on the last visit out to her house in April of last year, she was caring for a neighbor’s dog while he was away on a trip. We have friends that take their dog nearly everywhere, except when they go away on a trip. There is no thought to circumvent the system, they will miss their dog but it’s still a dog and not a human being.
Why has this become unacceptable for dog owners? Why do they feel that circumventing the pet cabin prices or checked animal policies is an ok choice for an otherwise moral and law-abiding person?
Twenty years ago, an ESA wasn’t a thing. If you saw a dog on an airplane, they were contained or a true service animal with training and an owner that understood the responsibility. And what did ESA Travelers do? They made arrangements for their animals including leaving the dog with family or friends or boarding it at a doggy daycare. Why is that now considered unacceptable by pet owners?
Veterans and the Disabled Are Exempt
Making room for your Labradoodle in coach is not something I am willing to assist in doing unless you’re a veteran or if you have a true disability. Some Veterans have PTSD or other emotional/physical requirements that warrant the need for a true service animal. It’s also true that not all disabilities are visible. But those dogs are trained, certified, and perform an actual function.
If someone is at risk of a seizure or blind for example, they should absolutely have access to the tools and animals that make the world more manageable. If you are a person that loves your “fur baby” and can’t imagine how you would do without them for a week in Florida, consider driving. It’s different. It’s not a disability and if so then perhaps those passengers should have their animal service-trained.
It’s simple for me. If you’ve served our country and feel that you need an animal with you or one has been prescribed for you, there will be no judgment from this frequent flyer.
What do you think? Should dogs be left at home? Are there other groups I am forgetting about that should be given a free pass?
Your writing is unclear regarding veterans. All you require is that a person be a veteran to take an animal onboard? Or they need to be a veteran with a diagnosed disability or other legitimate reason for a service animal?
Darin, I apologize for any confusion. I felt I was clear regarding my position in the following two lines: “Some Veterans have PTSD or other emotional/physical requirements that warrant the need for a true service animal. It’s also true that not all disabilities are visible. But those dogs are trained, certified, and perform an actual function.” and “If you’ve served our country and feel that you need an animal with you or one has been prescribed for you, there will be no judgment from this frequent flyer.”
For the avoidance of doubt. Veterans who feel they need a service animal or have a prescribed condition shouldn’t face any resistance.
Hi Kyle its fine. No need to apologize. I do have a problem with if you’ve served and FEEL like you need an animal… That is no different than anyone else who feels they need a pet with them without certification/prescription.
It seems like you are saying veterans can do what they want and everyone else needs certification. It undercuts your article a bit.
I am fine with that. I haven’t encountered very many veterans that carry animals that are not Service Animals. When Delta cites an 84% increase in ESAs from the previous year, those aren’t veterans that have been flying around with animals that are not dedicated Service Animals, those are regular passengers self-diagnosing service animals and getting a note to avoid paying for the animal.
I will double down on my claim. ANY service member that feels they need an animal on the aircraft is fine by me.
You don’t know for sure that everyone claiming to be a veteran actually is-there are documented cases amongst the TSA of screeners claiming to be vets when they aren’t. Granted, not a stretch w/that bunch, but still. Given how we, as a society, are putting veterans on higher & higher pedestals every day, it’s also not a stretch to see that there will be people who will take advantage of that. Just like there are people every day who take advantage of being ‘disabled’ for boarding, but are magically clued by the time the plane lands.
I wouldn’t argue with that.
And this is where you lose me. Veterans don’t get to do what they want because they decided to work in the military to pay the bills. You want/need a service animal fine, get a doctors note. Are you saying so,ehow it’s more difficult to get one because you once served in the military? If so at least that’s some kind of argument. Ok article overall, but the arbitrary nature of who qualifies to skirt the rules really undercuts the argument. Abuse happens by all kinds of people, doesn’t matter their job or profession.
I guess, in my experience, the use case would be so small of those that served but do not qualify for true ESAs or Service Animals that I am happy to turn a blind eye.
I am a 100% disabled Veteran. I have multiple disabilities physically and mentally to include PTSD. I have disabled Veteran tags on my car. I opt many time not to use the disabled parking spaces. I have an emotional support dog. I opt many times not to bring him with me. It makes me very angry to see people throw the disabled card on their dash when they don’t need the parking space. I think to myself that someone else may need the space more than I do. I do have some serious heart conditions that are life threatening. But I suck it up for someone that may need the accommodation more than I. It’s called personal sacrifice. Less than one percent of the population serves their country. A large population of Vetrans have been through things you can never imagine All Veterans deserve your respect. Many have no outward disabilities but many hidden. Many of us have sacrificed everything for freedom of all people around the world. I have done and seen things that most could never imagine. We have to live with all of this. Many of my fellow soldiers have lost their lives in combat and twenty a day take their lives because they can no longer live with it. I have in the past considered it as well. My dog is my life line. He calms me and saves my life..more time than I can count.
Thank you for your article. I am one of the Vets with an ESA you’re writing about. Unfortunately, not all things are left on the battlefield, some things return with us and will remain possibly for life. The ESA I’ve grown to trust was and is lifesaving for me when things became unmanageable and their darkest. This system (ESA) has been grossly exploited and abused by people for many reasons, normally by someone with an ’emotional support lizard/fireant colony’. I did my time (service) and have asked for nothing in return (as it should be) and simply wanted to try to live a peaceful life after returning ‘home’ from here out, for however long I have left. My dog has helped me do that, every night I attempt to sleep she’s watching and covering ‘my six’, perpetually on alert.. that comforts me. I judge no other. I simply wish those who have not seen the intensity, ferocity and horror of human on human carnage to not judge ‘me’ for wanting only to return to the country and people I’ve honorably served to feel some semblance of comfort when my own anxiety triggers or arises from being in and around crowds, for example, (what are targets to our nation’s enemy). Without missing a beat, she knows and responds. How could I possibly find that comfort or relief from those that haven’t experienced that as they would either not understand, laugh (those that despise military), ridicule or judge my afflictions which only serve to intensify these things? The open, raw, toxic and sometimes violent reactions of some for simply having served our country are beyond comprehension and can be devastating for those that have. Seeing a live and let live posture is beautiful when practiced amongst our countrymen, a reason to fight for another day and to have the assurance deep inside that volunteering in another’s stead was the right move after all. Please, don’t forget that though the war may be a distant memory for some, an unknown entity for other’s, there are still more than a ‘few’ that carry it daily…albeit without any regret by volunteering but are still serving in their own way nonetheless. That little battle-buddy on the end of my leash has saved my life. She saves it every single day that I’m blessed to share with her and have to spend with and amongst you. Please don’t judge our Vets and their ESA’s. Instead, judge (if you absolutely must judge another) those that sent us in the first place. It would be a beautiful thing to see you embrace us not as odd, weak or stupid (for volunteering) but instead as someone that would do it all again as long as it meant we could both board that next plane together bound for a destination of ‘our choice’, in comfort, without threat and in harmony together to live a life of freedom, choice and prosperity as one chooses…and most importantly, as one people. Some gave all, some gave some, some gave none. Please, remember the first, appreciate the second and respect the third. We’re in this together. Help us ‘come home’, please. Semper Fi USA
My GSD is an ESA. He failed his service exam because he has a desire to chase squirrels. He comes from a long line of working dogs. He flys with me when i can’t drive and ill be gone for more than 4 days. I bump up to 1sr class so he and i have room. I have TBI and PTSD. I do not sleep unless he is with me. I am dependent on him. I have had extensive training for him. He does not bark. I like Delta best b/c they are strict. Southwest doesn’t give a damn.
Kyle, your ignorance is showing. There NO SUCH THING AS A ‘CERTIFIED’ SERVICE DOG! Doesn’t exist. I wish it did. I carry a letter ptescribing my SD from my cardiologist and he won’t do a letter until he tests her every year. But stop putting misinformation out. When I hear someone tell how their SD is ‘certified’ I KNOW they are a liar.
Get all animals off of the plane. As an asthmatic, I have the right to travel without worrying that someone’s fluffy won’t make me sick.
My wife is allergic to cats. Unfortunately I don’t think she has a right to travel without pets in the cabin. I wish that were true though. As a paying passenger did she pay for transportation that doesn’t make her sick in the process… I think so.
Darin is making the most sense in this conversation. Should not be an issue for military to get a note if needed.
At least explain what you mean by “there is no such thing as a ‘certified’ service animal.” That is not my understanding. So before you run around calling everyone with an animal a liar, please explain yourself.
Sometimes you have to travel with an animal (eg- moving overseas), and putting them in the cargo hold is unsafe. There are no alternatives for larger animals and literally nothing you can do in a scenario like this. I’m not advocating for people to abuse ESA privileges, but this 100% is a product offering problem that airlines just refusing to address.
I appreciate the position expatriates face when transporting a pet overseas. However, in the instance I cited with moving a cat, it was from Manchester, England to the US and the animal had to travel overseas in the cargo hold. I could bring the animal inside the cabin with me for the domestic portions assuming I paid a fee, which I did but the animal had to be under the aircraft for the trans-Atlantic portion.
To clarify, the restriction isn’t “international” flights, but flights over 9 hours. There are plenty of in-cabin dogs on my flights to/from/within the Americas (including ours once from SCL-MIA).
The restriction made it impossible on a six-hour flight from Manchester to New York, perhaps it is country-specific rather than distance/flight length.
We moved to Singapore and our two large dogs spent 21 hours crated and traveling in the cargo hold. It would never have occurred to me to lie and pretend that they were service animals. I have since found out that there is a lovely kennel aboard the QM2 and if I had it to over I would do as much of the trip as possible by ship.
As a retired military member I disagree with the position of only allowing ESA’s for those that are veterans. I also have a child on the spectrum and have seen the difference an ESA can make for him when in out of the norm situations that cause anxiety. I also know people that are not veterans but have PTSD due to other serious events in their lives ( one lady for example was in an abusive relationship). Accommodations should be made to support anyone with a legitimate need for adn ESA and I also believe that the ESS should have at a minimum basic obedience training.
Gerald, I agreed with your position for those on the spectrum, “I have seen cases for those on the autism spectrum that would qualify certainly.” However, for those civilians who otherwise qualify, a genuine service animal should be required, not a pet with a $22 note. The passenger that can’t go on a week-long trip without their fur baby is the ones that abuse the system.
My 2 cents – ESA should never be allowed in the passenger seating area- meaning they should not be in passenger’s lap . They should be confined to the space in front of the passenger on the floor or under the seat in front . Any animal that encroaches on the floor space of another passenger should not be permitted. If an ESA cannot fit in the space in front of the passenger , then the passenger should be required to buy 2 seats – just like a customer of size .
Furthermore, any ESA who creates any bio-hazard(defecates or urinates etc) or causes a disturbance should be barred from future travel . Real ESA and service animals are almost always wonderfully behaved and well trained.
Agreed Maxie, great points.
This is a really ignorant article that really doesn’t understand what mental illness/panic attacks are.
Our dog can sense my girlfriend breaking down and he’s been the only thing that has saved my gf sometimes from a trip to the ER.
It’s seriously ignorant people, like yourself that believe a one size fits all approach works.
I love reading Matt’s blog, but with your commentary I too will take a one size fits all approach and stop reading all the posts from the site.
Scott, sorry to see you go. However, I think I made clear that service animals and genuinely prescribed conditions should qualify. It sounds like your girlfriend would qualify for a service animal – that’s not the same thing as an order-by-mail note from a “doctor” that only prescribes ESAs nor is it the same as an untrained pet from home all-of-the-sudden becoming an ESA. That’s an abuse of the system.
Kyle, I think you missed the point of what an ESA actually is. An emotional support animal is for someone that may suffer from some type of mental illness. They must have a medical diagnosis from a licensed professional. An ESA is NOT just a pet, they are a special animal that help their humans get through whatever they may be suffering from. Kyle’s girlfriend would NOT qualify for a service animal. A service animal is provided for someone who may suffer from a different type of medical diagnosis or disability. And those dogs cost thousands of dollars for training. Esa and Service Animals do NOT do that same thing.
If the animal is prescribed by a psychiatrist that is regularly seen by the passenger, that is quite a different matter. If the animal is a normal pet acquired before the condition was known, the passenger does not see a mental health professional regularly, or the authorizing prescriber does not largely treat mental disorders that do not result in treatment outside of ESAs, I am comfortable saying it is an abuse of the system.
Ok, this (along with your sentence on the autism spectrum) clears up your position a bit, since I wasn’t sure what your stance on ESAs was. Based on the title and the last section, it seemed as though you were only for service animals and not ESAs.
“Some Veterans have PTSD or other emotional/physical requirements that warrant the need for a true service animal. It’s also true that not all disabilities are visible. But those dogs are trained, certified, and perform an actual function.”
AFAIK, the USA doesn’t have any certification standards/programs in place for service animals (IIRC, other countries, including Canada, do). You’re right that they are trained and perform an actual function to mitigate the handler’s disability, though. I think a lot of people think ESA = service animal, which is completely incorrect. Maybe you should add a link to the ADA page? It provides an overview of service animal vs ESA that could be helpful.
ESAs aren’t just a problem in the air, but they’re just as bad (or worse) on the ground. Something that businesses don’t seem to know is that they can kick out patrons whose animals don’t behave or aren’t under their handler’s control, whether they’re service animals, ESAs, or pets. Oh, and unlike service animals, ESAs aren’t allowed at no-pet hotels (or if they are, they’re subject to pet and/or cleaning fees).
The only problem here is how do you know which is real. I have severe anxiety and depression. When my doctor recommended we get and ESA dog we filled all the required paper work out took time in choosing a dog and properly trained her for our needs. She now knows when I’m about to have an attack and can comfort/support me. We went through all the right ways to get her. When I had to bring her on a plane with me we were sure to ease her into the new environment. She’s was well behaved and stayed on the floor the whole time to do her job. With all the recent controversy surrounding esas and those that abuse the system we were not treated very friendly by many who just assumed all esas are bogus. I do think airlines should only allow dog and cats as esas. Of course allergies of all passengers should be taken into consideration in order to ride on certain flights(Our esa dog is hypoallergenic) I believe they should have them pass a training course and have more legitimate ways of proof from real doctors and vets that would be less accessible to the general public. This is never a one size fits all situation and you can never just assume. What really needs to happen is to have people educated on this topic and make it harder for people to abuse the system so those that actually need an esa won’t be harrassed.
Mary, your points regarding training and certification are key. True needs, prescribed by a genuine medical professional that does not solely issue ESA notes and certified training is different from those who choose not to board a pet with a facility or relative and instead choose to play sick.
Kris,
A psychiatric service dog actually assists people with mental illnesses. What seperates a service dog from an ESA is that service dogs are trained to perform tasks and ESAs provide comfort. So it’s a bit ignorant on your part to state that people with mental illnesses wouldn’t qualify for a service dog because that’s not true at all. My service dog performs many tasks to prevent my PTSD, BPD and panic attacks while in public. Not all disabilities are physical.
I totally agree with you.I dont understand why they make such a big issue on ESA animals some of us have mental disabilities and it should be nobody business. Is hard enough dealing with it on a day to day basis and now airlines are making a big issue on this topic. If you have the proper documentation then there should be no issue at all. I upsets me be cause I need an ESA and have the documentation for it. Why are people so worry about what others do. Even write articles like this one to make you feel like you have to worry about what other think and feel.
Bre, Having service dogeams you can easily prepare the needed documents.
Even with new regulations airlines will allow ESAs on flight too. The difference is between a pet and am ESA which can be verified by the handlers Health provider, shot record & current license
Keep your mental girlfriend at home. If she is that screwed up how can she even leave the house ?
Give her some more pills and some jack to wash it down.
Thank you very much for stating that not all disabilities are easy to spot! My husband is active duty military and is currently being medically retired. He has PTSD and Dystonia with Parkinsonism. We have an ESA dog that we are training to become his service dog as well. We are floored by how many people in our current city abuse the title and bring their unruly dogs everywhere with them. We have to defend his need for his dog constantly because his disability isn’t always noticed at first. We hope in the future that others who abuse the rules will have stricter consequences and maybe think twice before they abuse it again.
Lauren, thank you so much for your comment and your husband’s service. Abuse of the system makes it harder for those with genuine needs, like that of your husband, and makes a mockery of those that truly need the services of an animal.
Once they are allowed to , people will take advantage of anything .
This “emotional support animal ” nonsense is a prime example of this and it has made it more and more difficult for people who have a legitimate need to receive the service that they deserve .
Now it’s all about me, me, me and my emotional support hedgehog even though I may be a perfectly healthy 20 year old college student .
It doesn’t matter who else my selfishness hurts .
It’s all about me, me, me.
You sound like a grumpy jealous old person. Emotional support animals aren’t nonsense for those that need them. And most of the people abusing this are older people with their pets. Go put some anti aging cream on and take a Percocet.
Great article, Kyle. I think it’s clear you understand the importance of ESAs when the individual has a legitimate need, and the appropriate documentation to support their need. VERFID (pronounced verified) has created a services that authenticates vaccination records and physician notes for ESA owners and provides them a RFID tag that can be scanned with a phone. The goal is to prevent deceptive letters and simplify the process. Please check them out at verfidservices.com – it’s quite relevant to your article!
Great ! get those dogs/cats/pigs off the plane, my emotional well-being depends on not seeing them in a tight space.
Kyle, the airlines are starting to reject a lot of online letters. Im confident the $22 one would fall under that category. I know of a woman who needed an ESA and got TWo $200 letters from online and was rejected both times for flights until she met with an in person specialist and got a legit letter. I have an ESA that stops me from disassociating in social situations and can be the difference of being present for a 2 week vacation or having consistent panic attacks and staying inside for most of the trip. At the airport some people are rude to me and it sucks (I’m assuming they think another person abusing the system) Other people have made comments and asked questions saying they want an ESA too. People don’t get that this is a treatment plan from your therapist, not a way to travel with your pet. I would like more regulations around this too. I love my dog and I would also love to get to the point I could travel without her and feel more normal.
My 17 year old daughter suffers with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD and PTSD and had recently been prescribed an ESA by her Pyschiatrist. Having read this article and seeing the opposing views, I’m really considering if getting an ESA is worth it as in her mental state there is no way she could cope with the level of prejudice that exists and although she qualifies for a Service Dog, it’s just not affordable.
Prescribed by a professional who is actively treating your daughter is completely different from the throngs of travelers who simply wish to travel with their pet.
The problem is people will treat the 17 year old as if she were cheating the system because no other passenger will getvtobsee the letter, do research on whether it is real, etc. There is a lot of prejudice against ESA animals and you article actually contributes to that. Let me offer a couple of other thoughts:
1) most people do not voluntarily label themselves with a DSM diagnosis. No one really wants other people to know that they have anxiety, adjustment disorder, PTSD, depression and a slue of other mental conditions that might qualify you for an ESA on planes and housing. There still is a lot of prejudice against mental illness.
2. You say people should just get a real service dog. Do you have any idea how long it takes to train an ADA service animal? How difficult the selection process is? How expensive it is? It simply isnt feasible that everyone who has an emotional support animal should get a “real service animal”.
3) ESAs provide a beneficial service to their owner, manly they provide needed emotional support to someone who needs this support. You cite the increase in ESA’s on planes s a reason that most be bogus. I agree bogus ESAs should be banned from flying free, more on that later. however just because numbers have increased does nor make them fraudulent. As with everything, research expands our knowledge and understanding. We use to not understand autism very well, and perhaps still don’t, but it has been shown that ESAs do wonders for individuals with autism. Another example it PTSD, it used to be mainly associated with military veterans, but an ever increasing amount of individuals with PTSD are in fact caregivers especially in long-term caregiving situations. To me, if an ESA provides needed emotional support we should be supportive of the fact that our fellow traveller will be provided that support!
4) Back to fraud, airlines have requirements, people who travel with ESAs have to inform airlines and provide the ESA letter to the airlines. Many airlines now actually follow up with the licenced mental health professional who wrote the letter, checking on their licensure etc. If the US Carrier Access Act re ESA letters is not followed properly, the animal does not fly! It is also unethical for licensed mental health professionals (LMHP) to apply diagnosis that is not present. Most LMHP would not risk their license for a few extra bucks!
5) You complain about the ESA websites that have sprung up. Agreed some are likely fraudulent and will do a disservice to people who actually need an ESA. Some are BBB accredited, some not, some try to sell ADA language style ID card which are wrong on the law or at least confuse or mislead. This is where buyers beware comes in. But I would caution to claim the entire online ESA businesses are frauds. Telemedicine is an acceptable part of providing medical and mental services. Also our attitudes re online institutions used to be geared against online schools, bit acceptance has occurred. If it is legit then its ok, if not they will fail because people will not get what they bargained, a valid ESA letter.I apologize for the length, but this is a frequent topic and many people have strong opinions for and against.
But we still demean make fun and shame people with mental illness and we should not be so cruel to people. If we believed in the good of the people and gave them the benefit of the doubt, we might find our flights more enjoyable!
A dog for your daughter will change her life… Please consider following the doctor’s recommendations to provide one for her. Dismiss the negativity and cruelty from the trolls. She will THRIVE with her properly prescribed ESA.
People who aren’t veterans have mental illness such as PTSD as well. This rule and article are discriminating against all of us that weren’t in the military but are dealing with the same diseases
I agree. This is a B S article. Miss truths and bias. I wonder how much Kyle’s take is on the adds for fake letters to get your dog on a plane for free.
Kyle needs to do better research if he’s claiming to be a legitimate journalist. I got my information directly from the DOJ re the ADA. There is no official registration certification by the US GOVERNMENT, just hucksters claiming to be.
An article re how folks are getting ripped of when they purchased their service dog.
Lol. I’m on the take for fake letters for service dogs that I denigrate? I claim to be a journalist? Maybe I am not the one that needs to conduct better research before writing online.
Meh – I’m not worried about this ridiculous emotional support animal business. Nobody has banned emotional support plants, so I’m bringing my emotional support poison ivy, cactus and durian.
I have depression, anxiety and suffer panic attacks. I have days that I can only go out of my home with my emotional support dog at my side. Other days I am ok. People that don’t have a mental illness may not understand that it is real and serious and brings lots of pain; it’s not a make believe thing.
I traveled from Orlando to Sao Paulo last year with my emotional support dog and he helped me easy a panic attack during taking off. I have seeing my doctor monthly for the past five years, and she gave me the letter requesting Delta to accommodate my needs, if possible. Delta employees went above and beyond to help me. Almost no one noticed that my dog was there with me as he was quietly laying on my lap. Also, before sat I asked the passenger next to me if he was allergic, and he said he wasn’t. I care about other people, too.
I am deeply grateful to Delta to have given me chance to travel to my father’s funeral with my dog; I couldn’t have made without him. Usually I don’t take him, but I was too vulnerable at that time.
We never know what’s happening to other people and that’s why I am learning not to judge them too quickly.
Great article, Kyle. I think it’s clear you understand the importance of ESAs when the individual has a legitimate need, and the appropriate documentation to support their need. VERFID (pronounced verified) has created a services that authenticates vaccination records and physician notes for ESA owners and provides them a RFID tag that can be scanned with a phone. The goal is to prevent deceptive letters and simplify the process. Please check them out – it’s quite relevant to your article!
I find it interesting how a travel blogger can pass so much judgement on ESA’S not as a mental health professional or doctor but a travel blogger. I have a ESA a very well trained ESA who wakes me up so I don’t not sink into my depressive episodes reminds me to take my meds, who is trained to ease my panic attacks associated with ptsd. I am not a veteran but my ESA serves a true purpose in my life. As yes many do abuse this it is disrespectful to assuming and to act as if because I am not a veteran my need is not real, my esas purpose is not real. Shame on you. I can’t speak for others but I make a point to show so much consideration for others with my ESA I try to not bring him into any eating establishment although I could i made a point to get a hypoallergenic animal as my ESA and he is absolutely trained to not engage anyone without my cue, as he is for me not anyone else. I truly wish you were more considerate, and to be frank it is not our job to convince you or anyone else how we are disabled. You really have a lot to learn about life and speaking on what you know you little blogger…. good bless your ignorance From this ESA owner, this military wife, PTSD and major depression suffered and this MHP.
Maye, I am having a little difficulty understanding aspects of your comment. First, you stated that you need your ESA to wake you up, remind you to take your meds and to help with PTSD. Is this animal trained and certified? I would imagine if it is, then this post doesn’t really apply to your situation. If it’s not trained, then you have a very impressive dog. Second, you agree that many abuse the system, it is the abusers that make it harder for those with a genuine need. I would have to ask, however, if you are able to get through meals without the animal (you state that you do not take the animal to restaurants) is a 1-2 hour flight different? Why can’t the animal go in the cargo hold as would have been the normal practice 10-15 years ago? Why can you not simply pay for the animal and abide by the on-aircraft containment requirements instead? If the animal is too large to qualify for containment requirements by carriers, does the comfort of having your animal next to you not impede on the rights of others who have paid for space next to you? And if your dog is not hypoallergenic, then does your comfort supersede the safety of those who are allergic to dogs?
Please take the Veterans part out of this article. It emplies that all vets are entitled to bringing ESAs anywhere even if they aren’t disabled, which is false. It aslo implies that the only people with PTSD service animals are veterans. Next time someone asks me where at served and I have to awkwardly dance around telling them what my PTSD is actually from, I’ll think of articles like this. Please be clearer, this is very confusing to people who don’t know about service animals and ESAs. You could be tricking some poor veteran into believing they can take their pet anywhere, which could be dangerous for both of their safety, especially the pets, and you are implying to the public that psychiatric service dogs and ESAs are only valid for people who are veterans. Most people with PTSD are civilian women, most commonly from child and sexual abuse, and we need our dogs just as much as disabled veterans need theirs
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked
on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment
is added I get four emails with the exact same comment.
Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
The ADA does not require or sanction any certification standards for service dogs,
beyond the requirement that they are task trained to mitigate the disabled person’s problem, and they have sufficient training to behave appropriately in public situations. People who present “certifications” often bought them on-line. Individuals do not need to purchase or receive their dog through an agency. They can train their own service dog or hire a private trainer to assist them, which is what I did. It is not legal to ask a handler to show a dog’s certification, and legitimate teams could serve the community by reminding people that the ADA does not have certification standards.
If I were to have a full fledged panic attack on the airplane that would be waaay more disruptive than my little ESA lapdog could ever be. Coupled with my heart condition a panic attack in the air could result in a medical emergency that would be sure to disrupt all passengers in a most inconvenient way. My ESA dog prevents that exact scenario by her service to me.
So out of curiosity, how long have you had your ESA? How did you travel before your ESA? When were your conditions diagnosed? Did you own the animal before diagnosis? Was it a professional diagnosis? Does your condition exclude you from other activities/events/methods of transportation?
I only have one beef with this blog: and it’s that faking a service animal is akin to lying about a handicapped sticker.
It’s more akin to fraud. If one wouldn’t lie about having a medical illness and the legal accommodations that come with it, then they shouldn’t try to take a pet into public places that allow access to service dogs only.
Fraud is much more serious and focused on the issue at hand. Faking a handicap tag on your car seems like it trivializes what a person is actually doing. Taking the focus off the animal and putting it on the actual ramifications of a person’s actions seems like a better way to frame the discusion…
Fraud doesn’t have the same kind of ring to it, does it?
Thank you, Kyle, for this article. I understand that you were addressing the entitled pet owners. I understand that you were NOT addressing those of us who truely need the use of such animals.
As a Combat Veteran who is a legitimate service dog handler, I have a right to fly where I need to without everyone claiming allergies, asthma or phobia JRG. Don’t you have medication for your asthma?
As for everyone else – Either put your animals underneath the plane or find alternative transport. It’s that simple. There is no excuse. First of all, those of us who have legitimate need for either SD’s or ESA’s we didn’t ask to become disabled. Everytime those of you who are not disabled or struggling with a mental health or developmental issue express wanting a service dog or wanting to take your dog everywhere with you, you are expressing the desire to be disabled! It’s not fun! Secondly – Thanks to all of those people who dishonestly and/or selfishly exploit the loopholes for your “fur babies” I had to retire my service dog because a couple of you brought your untrained or inadequately trained dog into public and they attacked my legitimate highly trained service dog. Now I am without her and trying to raise the money I need for another one. In the meantime, I am left without that part of my treatment. So, thank you for putting my life in jeopardy.
I have a friend who travels regularly and takes her “esa” all the time. She also uses her husband’s handicapped parking tag, and takes her dog in stores. She will argue with anyone and make such a scene that she gets away with it almost always. She has s “letter’ from a doctor that explains why she needs the dog. She believes she is entitled. Infuriates me. The last time I flew, three people boarded with dogs…… I don’t think any were service dogs. Pay the fee or leave Fluffy home.
I overheard staff from a Southwest flight from Chicago to Fort Myers discussing 11 dogs on a 100 passenger flight. It seems 11% of the population have a diagnosed, doctor-approved syndrome. What I find absolutely beguiling is that nowhere else do I find such a high percentage of affected parties. I don’t find that 11% of movie theaters are filled with dogs (though some movies are longer than some flights), not 11% of restaurant patrons, everyone in my office makes it through the day without their emotional service animals.
And if those with ESA needs opt out of movie theaters to avoid being without their animals for such expanses of time, should they not consider opting out of air travel too?
Firefighters and rescue operations personnel are also allowed to travel accompanied by their trained dogs
When flying International, there are specific regulations for many countries
Some countries do not allow flying pets in commercial flights
Certainly, there needs to be enforced behavioral & hygiene requirements for the therapy dogs, as it is getting out of control. Those taking advantage are ruining it for travelers with a legitimately helpful, well behaved animal. That said, the same standards should be applied to children. I’ve never witnessed a dog be anywhere near as disruptive & out of control as most of the children, on an aircraft.
Also, every pet on board is not for therapy. Most airlines sell boarding passes for dogs and cats, traveling with their owners.
There is a difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal. The esa title is really only for housing purposes, and they are not allowed the same privileges of a service dog. So truthfully they should not be out in public or on airplanes to begin with. If you have a service dog then you are covered by the ADA laws and guidelines. My husband is a veteran and has a service dog, we have flown with him multiple times with no issues and we sit in a row that the dog is comfortable on the floor and is not crowding anyone. We had multiple comments from passengers and flight attendants on his last flight that they didn’t even realize or forgot that there was a dog on the flight as he didn’t make a peep. There was a small dog on a flight with us that was in a kennel part of the time in the person’s lap and loose in their lap part of the time that made more of a ruckus.
The title to your article is a little misleading, I read it as all veterans are allowed to do whatever they want with a ESA which is not true, if there is truly a need for a service animal there will be documentation from a health professional.
The ESA thing is out of hand. I have no issue with animals. And I definitely have no issues with passengers requiring a service animal; in fact I would do everything that I could to assist such a passenger if requested. (Note that service animals are generally clearly identified.) That said, when I am at ORD, observe a young 20-something passenger laughing with her group of friends, with her yoga mat, water bottle, and a medium-sized dog, with a regular leash, jump in front of Group 1 “because she needs a few extra minutes to board”, is wrong! (Someone asked the GA why this occurred – and was told she had an ESA.)
Also, it is my understanding on UA that if someone is in their assigned seat, and that if there is a passenger with an animal next to them, and the someone has maybe an allergy, it is the someone’s problem, i.e. move; not the person with the animal.
I only point this out because I do believe that there is a legitimate use for ESAs, but such passengers should not receive special treatment nor should I be inconvenienced (vs. passengers with a clearly identified service animal).
One of my local TV stations demonstrated how easy it was to get an ESA certified, online. In fact, the online service gave hints to the ‘correct’ answers when completing the application.
Dogs and Cats only as ESA. Dogs and Cats only under the seat as a paid jet with your pet.
No donkeys, squirrels, hampsters, roosters etc in the cabin, ESA or not.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if the airlines attached reasonable fees for pet in cabin, there would be fewer ESA’s. $200 is pretty steep a fee for something that takes no additional space or stropwafels.
I want for greater legal recognition & value be given to family pet but am relieved that clearer qualifying requirements are in place to reduce abuse that can leave the public hesitant to give proper recognition to the well trained service provider.
I wonder if each county dog licensing office could expand to include certification of each category of assistance animal, effectively giving legal value to these dutifully service providers.
Seems this would help people understand if & what privileges their animal qualify.
Thank you, I am a Vet however I have a phobia to cats! Matter of fact most animals except dogs. I would have to leave the plan if I had to sit next to a cat! Or any animal that is uncaged.I wish the law would protect me. From my understanding I would have to move my set if some had an ESA cat