DOT Plans Revisit of Service Animal Regulations
Joe Cortez February 06, 2017
Review looks to discern legitimate service animals from impostors.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to review the policy of allowing service animals on commercial aircraft, in an attempt to weed out legitimate service animals from those who serve a lesser purpose. The Wall Street Journal reports a study group commissioned by the DOT is considering how to improve the current system for determining what constitutes a service animal.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are considered under a very narrow scope, defined as dogs and few other animals who have specific training to assist individuals. However, the Air Carrier Access Act allows for a much broader definition, as both service animals and “emotional support animals” may be able to board with individuals. A 2015 investigation revealed getting an pet designated as an “emotional service animal” could be as easy as filling out a form online and paying a fee to a “certification” group.
The DOT currently defines a service animal 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.” If the DOT and the study group come to another conclusion, that definition could change.
One suggestion includes restricting the definition of “emotional support animal” to align with the ADA, which would restrict the types of animals that would qualify. Another suggestion submitted or endorsed by a collection of stakeholders suggests passengers fill out a standard questionnaire that would determine the validity of the emotional support animal.
Until the DOT makes a decision, airlines are guided by a 2013 decision that service animals should be determined by “identification cards” and other documentation. Some airlines have stricter regulations on what qualifies as an “emotional support animal,” including Delta Air Lines, which has banned hedgehogs, ferrets and “farm poultry” from serving as a support animal.
(Following is my correct post, after inadvertently hitting the post button previously) That’s kind of a wild statement, that makes conclusions about people who use emotional support animals, that I think is misguided. Someone needing an emotional support animal does not necessarily have anxiety about flying, and thus are fully capable of donning their own oxygen mask, or exiting the aircraft. Secondly, why are you attacking (yes, attacking) the person needing the emotional support animal. This seems to be a common theme of posters related to this issue. The issue is the flyers who abuse the policies. That is what needs to be addresses. Lastly, why do you think a person is better at giving emotional support? Animals are very effective in providing the necessary comfort, and companionship. Unless the person has a family member or very good friend to provide 24x7 support, an animal in many cases may be a better option.
That's kind of a wild statement, that makes conclusions about people who use support animals, that I think are misguided. Someone needing a support animal does not necessarily have anxiety about flying, and thus are fully capable of donning their own oxygen mask, or exiting the aircraft. Also it's a wrong conclusion that the need support to Secondly, why are you attacking (yes, attacking) the person needing the emotiona support animal. This seems to be a common theme of posters related to this issue. The issue is the flyers who abuse the policies. That is what needs to be addresses. Lastly, why do you think a person is better at giving emotional support? Animals are very effective in providing the necessary comfort, and companionship. Unless the person has a family member of
Simple -- If it's for medical purposes, it's a service animal. For anything else, it's a pet and belongs in cargo. If you are so emotionally upset/fragile that you need an "emotional support animal", you need a human companion, not an animal. Fido isn't going to be able to help you put on your oxygen mask when the plane experiences decompression or need to evacuate the aircraft.