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Service / Support Animal & Airline Policies

Flying with Service Animal Emotional Support Animal Therapy Dog Airline Policy Pet

Requirements to Travel on an Airplane with a Service / Support Animal?

Flying with a service / support animal, especially for the first time, may be a nerve-racking process. Our goal is to help reduce your stress rvice / support animal, you are always entitled to pre-boarding if you meet the check-in requirements at least 48-hours prior to your flight and notify the gate agent of your intention to preboard by arriving to airport 2 hours before your flight.

required to provide 48 hours’ notice of their intention to travel with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal.

U.S. Department of Transportation and Airline Policies (Updated on August 1, 2018)
 Major U.S. Airlines Airline Partners Special Instructions Restricted Animals Contact Information
Alaska Airlines SkyWest AirlinesSkywest Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic Submit Special Documents at least 48 hours before departure, and keep the completed forms with you for the entire journey

  1. Animal health advisory form (Certified copy of the animal’s health certificate from veterinarian).
  2. Mental health form
  3. Animal behavior form
Hedgehogs, Ferrets, Insects, Rodents, Snakes, Spiders, Sugar Gliders, Reptiles, Non-Household Birds, Animals improperly cleaned/foul odor, Unusual/Exotic Animal, Amphibians, Goats, Animals with tusks, horns, hooves (800) 503-0101
Allegiant AirAllegiant Air Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic (702) 505-8888
American AirlinesAmerican Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

EnvoyEnvoy Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPeticExpressJetExpressJet Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPeticSkyWest AirlinesSkywest Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

Special Form

(800) 237-7976

Sacdesk.sro@aa.com

Atlas AirAtlas Air Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic (800) 503-01011
Delta AirlinesDelta Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

ExpressJetExpressJet Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPeticSkyWest AirlinesSkywest Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

DOWNLOAD FORM and fill out and Upload it to My Trips through the Accessibility Service Request Form Hedgehogs, Ferrets, Insects, Rodents, Snakes, Spiders, Sugar Gliders, Reptiles, Non-household Birds, Animals improperly cleaned/foul odor, Animals with tusk or hooves (404) 209-3434
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic
Seat space is limited two emotional support animals so an additional seat may be purchased for a third animal. (801) 401-9004

Hawaiian Airlines

Flights longer than 8 hours require documentation that the animal will not need to relieve itself on the flight or can relieve itself without creating a sanitation issue. Peacocks, Ferrets, Rodents, Spiders, Insects, Chickens, Roosters, Reptiles, or Live Fish.

(800) 367-5320

Online Form

Jet Blue

Required 48 Hours Notice by Submitting the following documentation found HERE.

1. Medical/Mental Health Professional’s Form

2. Veterinary Health Form

3. Confirmation of Animal Behavior

You must submit all three forms through THIS LINK at least 48 hours!

Only accept dogs, cats, and miniature horses. The following are prohibited: Animals improperly cleaned and/or with a foul odor, Animals who appear to be in poor health, Animals with tusks, Hedgehogs, Ferrets, Insects, Rodents, Snakes, Spiders, Sugar gliders, Reptiles, Non-household birds (farm poultry, waterfowl, game bird, & birds of prey). (800) 538-2583

Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

Printable Instructions for SouthWest Unusual or Exotic animals including, but not limited to, Rodents, Reptiles, Insects, Hedgehogs, Rabbits, Sugar Gliders, etc. (800) 435-9792

Spirit AirlinesSpirit Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

Contact Spirit via phone at least 48 hours before flight. (801) 401-2222
United AirlinesUnited Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

ExpressJetExpressJet Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPeticSkyWest AirlinesSkywest Airlines Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

Special Form

Minimum 48-hour advance notification, If not enough notice is provided, then pet-travel fees may apply.

(800) 228-2744

uaaeromed@united.com

Virgin AmericaVirgin America Emotional Support Animal ESA Service Dog Letters Fly with Pet TheraPetic

(877) 359-8474

Online Form

When traveling with an emotional/psychiatric support animal you are not permitted to sit in an emergency exit row. No animals are allowed to occupy seats that are designed for passengers. Please understand that with larger service animals or passengers with multiple service animals, we may need to re-accommodate you if the animal encroaches on other passengers or extends into aisles, which would be a violation of FAA regulations. U.S. Department of Transportation 14 CFR Part 382.

We will issue you a letter that meets all requirements for travel on all major airlines within the United States.  For eligibility to travel with your service / support animal, a letter must not be more than one-year-old and presented on the letterhead from the licensed mental healthcare provider who is treating your mental health-related disability.

Our letters will state contain the following:

  • That you have a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM V)
  • That you need the emotional support or psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at your destination
  • The letter must come from a licensed mental health professional, you must be under his/her professional care with the mental health professional’s license number, state or jurisdiction it was issued and must contain the date the license was issued.

All of the above specific criteria must be provided to accept your service / support animal for travel in the passenger cabin. When traveling in the cabin, animal must fit on your lap, at your feet or under your seat. For security reasons, service animals can’t block any aisle. Animal must be clean, well behaved and under your control at all times. If the animal is too large, it will need to be checked and travel in a kennel. Advance notice is strongly recommended to ensure all paperwork is in order.

Always contact your airline at least 48 prior to your departure time to allow the airline to make the appropriate accommodation to travel with your service / support animal.

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How to Travel with Your Pet or Emotional Support Animal

Travel with Dog on Airplane

When it comes to traveling with your furry loved one, especially for the first time, you want to be prepared. Follow our successful tips to ensure safe and fun traveling:

EAT. DRINK. POOP. PLAY.

Travel with Dog on Airplane

Whether you are traveling by airplane, boat, or automobile, make sure your pet, emotional support animal, or service dog eats, drinks, poops, and play at least 4 hours prior your scheduled departure. Bring Fido offers more tips and details for first time travelers.

ARRIVE EARLY.

If flying with your animal, arrive early to the airport to ensure timely security. Make note where the pet relief areas are located in the airport. The pet relief area is designated for your animal to relieve itself while you wait to board a plane or when you land from a long flight.

PRIORITY BOARDING.

Remember, emotional support animals and service dogs may board flights during pre-check, which means you may board before everyone else does. This early boarding ensures you may become comfortable and settled without the distraction of others around you.

Dog Airplane Fly Emotional Support AnimalWARNING – NO OVERHEAD BIN.

Animal’s Should Never Be Placed in an Overhead Bin

In recent news, a 10 month-old puppy died when a United Airlines flight attendant demanded the pup be relocated to the overhead bin from the carrier underneath the seat. You are permitted to travel with your animal on your lap or seated around your feet. Do not let a flight attendant or anyone jeopardize the life of your furry companion.

RELAX. ENJOY.

Relax and enjoy the flight. When you are calm, your animal will be calm too. Check out Rover.com for more information on flying with your pet or emotional support animal.

PACKING LIST. PACKING LIST

  • Don’t forget these important items when packing your pet’s or emotional support animal’s baggage:
  • Service/Emotional Support Animal Letters from your health care provider
  • Veterinarian’s Health certificate and medical records
  • Any Specific Airline Form
  • Leash and poop bags
  • Spare collar with identification tag
  • Enough dog food and treats for the entire trip
  • Plenty of bottled water (a sudden change can upset your dog’s stomach)
  • Food and water dishes
  • Your dog’s favorite toy and blanket
  • Any special medication your dog might need
  • Pet wipes or grooming products
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Canada Register a Service or Emotional Support Animal

Emotional Support Animal ESA Registry Register Airline Housing Apartment Dog Cat Pet

How to Get an ESA Letter in Canada for Air Travel and Housing for Canadian Residents

Emotional Support Animal ESA Registry Register Airline Housing Apartment Dog Cat Pet

In Canada, Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are defined differently than in the United States. TheraPetic is based both in the Canada and the United States, so we ensure our Canadian clients receive the best support and documents for travel and housing with an service or support animal.

In general, an psychiatric service dog or an emotional support animal (ESA) is defined as any animal that brings comfort and support to an individual with a psychological, mental or emotional disability. These disabilities can range from social phobias, to depression, to anxiety, and to PTSD. While an assistance animal (classified as a service animal or emotional support animal) does not require any special training or any specific species, as long as it alleviates stress and provides support and comfort to the disabled person.

How to Register and Get your Instant Canadian ESA Letters

TheraPetic complies with the Canada Health Act, which is the federal legislation that provides the foundation for the Canadian health care system. Our cyberhealth services provide the best service and exceed standards for our clients. 

What Laws in Canada Law apply for Traveling on Airplane? 

The Canadian Transportation Agency ensures that all Canadians enjoy the same access to travel, especially by airplane if traveling with a service or support animal. Every Canadian-based airline must follow the Code of Practice Aircraft Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Air Code) and the Air Transportation Regulations (ATR) for persons with any disability traveling with service or support animal.

The Agency ensures that any undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities are removed from transportation services and facilities under its jurisdiction. This includes airplanes, trains, and passenger ferries and buses that cross a provincial or Canadian border.

When traveling outside of Canada, please make sure to maintain the proper travel documents for your service dog or emotional support animal by following these guidelines.

TheraPetic especially provides the appropriate documentation for travel with major Canadian airlines. You cannot board a plane without prior permission from the airline for your service dog. You must seek permission at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. For more information, here is a thorough list of guidelines for airlines.

What Laws in Canada Law apply for Housing in Canada?

Accessibility laws across Canada differ from province to province, and in many cases are antiquated, poorly defined, and do not take into account the various needs of individuals with disabilities being supported by service and support animals. TheraPetic specializes in providing the best prescribed letters for your province and local provincial laws.

Here are the locals laws by each province, which TheraPetic follows:

       Alberta • Service Animals Act

British Columbia • Guide Animal Act

Manitoba • The Human Rights Code • The Service Animals Protection Act

New Brunswick • Human Rights Act

Newfoundland & Labrador • Human Rights Act

Northwest Territories • Human Rights Act

Nova Scotia • Human Rights Act

Canada Register Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog and Get your Travel and Housing Letter Now

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Service Animal? Emotional Support Animal (ESA)? Therapy Animal?

Service Support Therapy Dog Animal Icon

Many people commonly confuse or interchangeably misuse the terms service animal, emotional support animal, assistance animal, and a therapy or psychiatric animal. The key to understanding these differences pertains to three important U.S. federal laws: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Service Emotional Support Therapy Dog TravelService Animal is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as “dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities” (Section 504, Department of Justice summary of service animals based on their 2010 updates to the ADA regulations). Click here for more frequently asked questions pertaining to service animal and the ADA law.

Emotional Support Animal is defined the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) as “any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance to a qualified person with a disability; or any animal shown by documentation to be necessary for the emotional well-being of a passenger (§14 CFR Part 382).

Assistance Animal is defined by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) as “an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability” (FHEO Notice 2013-01). Thus an assistance animal is the general term for either a service animal or an emotional support animal.

Therapy Animal is commonly defined as an animal, usually a dog/canine, that may be formally trained to provide comfort to individuals in schools, hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, etc. None of the three laws already mentioned apply to a therapy animal.

This chart distinguishes between these the different terms and identify the applicable federal laws:

Differences Emotional Support Animal Service and Therapy Chart
Differences Emotional Support Animal Service and Therapy Chart

© Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Registration and Documentation by TheraPetic 2024