Emotional Support Animal Policy
Oct 1, 2013, 6:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 52
Emotional Support Animal Policy
Hi Everyone,
I will be flying with my dog who is also my emotional support animal. I read on the Southwest website that a letter from my therapist is needed in order for her to fly with me, which I of course will provide on my upcoming flight.
My question is-and this is for anyone who has also flown with an emotional support animal-can she sit on my lap during the flight or does she still have to be in a carrier underneath the seat in front of me?
I have been on multiple Southwest flights and have seen therapy dogs sitting on the laps of their owners, however, since she is an ESA and not a "therapy" dog, I don't know if the rules are different. It would be pointless to fly with her if I had to put her underneath the seat in front of me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
I will be flying with my dog who is also my emotional support animal. I read on the Southwest website that a letter from my therapist is needed in order for her to fly with me, which I of course will provide on my upcoming flight.
My question is-and this is for anyone who has also flown with an emotional support animal-can she sit on my lap during the flight or does she still have to be in a carrier underneath the seat in front of me?
I have been on multiple Southwest flights and have seen therapy dogs sitting on the laps of their owners, however, since she is an ESA and not a "therapy" dog, I don't know if the rules are different. It would be pointless to fly with her if I had to put her underneath the seat in front of me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Oct 1, 2013, 6:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,509
Hi Everyone,
I will be flying with my dog who is also my emotional support animal. I read on the Southwest website that a letter from my therapist is needed in order for her to fly with me, which I of course will provide on my upcoming flight.
My question is-and this is for anyone who has also flown with an emotional support animal-can she sit on my lap during the flight or does she still have to be in a carrier underneath the seat in front of me?
I have been on multiple Southwest flights and have seen therapy dogs sitting on the laps of their owners, however, since she is an ESA and not a "therapy" dog, I don't know if the rules are different. It would be pointless to fly with her if I had to put her underneath the seat in front of me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
I will be flying with my dog who is also my emotional support animal. I read on the Southwest website that a letter from my therapist is needed in order for her to fly with me, which I of course will provide on my upcoming flight.
My question is-and this is for anyone who has also flown with an emotional support animal-can she sit on my lap during the flight or does she still have to be in a carrier underneath the seat in front of me?
I have been on multiple Southwest flights and have seen therapy dogs sitting on the laps of their owners, however, since she is an ESA and not a "therapy" dog, I don't know if the rules are different. It would be pointless to fly with her if I had to put her underneath the seat in front of me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
You obviously realize it's the crew's call.
A 50 pound lab - and I dearly love labs - might constitute an obstruction.
Oct 1, 2013, 8:57 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Emotional Support Animals
Animals used for a Customer's emotional support are accepted in the cabin. In order for a Customer to travel with an emotional support animal, the Customer must provide to a Southwest Airlines Employee current documentation (not more than one year old) on letterhead from a mental health professional or medical doctor who is treating the Customer's mental health-related disability stating:
The Passenger has a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM IV)
The Passenger needs the emotional support of psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at the passenger's destination
The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional, and the Passenger is under his or her professional care AND
The date and type of mental health professional's or medical doctor's license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued
Assistance and emotional support animals must be trained to behave in a public setting. Customers traveling with an assistance animal or an emotional support animal cannot sit in an emergency exit seat.
Animals used for a Customer's emotional support are accepted in the cabin. In order for a Customer to travel with an emotional support animal, the Customer must provide to a Southwest Airlines Employee current documentation (not more than one year old) on letterhead from a mental health professional or medical doctor who is treating the Customer's mental health-related disability stating:
The Passenger has a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM IV)
The Passenger needs the emotional support of psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at the passenger's destination
The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional, and the Passenger is under his or her professional care AND
The date and type of mental health professional's or medical doctor's license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued
Assistance and emotional support animals must be trained to behave in a public setting. Customers traveling with an assistance animal or an emotional support animal cannot sit in an emergency exit seat.
Also in this pdf.
Oct 2, 2013, 10:36 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
Was the owner perhaps autistic and had to service animal to assist with issues related to that condition?
Oct 3, 2013, 12:02 am
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Oct 3, 2013, 3:39 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Oct 3, 2013, 4:57 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Their widespread use is becoming controversial as it is felt that many people with typical devotion to their pets assign emotional support status to them garnering the privileges of the designation without a valid corresponding professional determination.
Oct 3, 2013, 6:00 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
There are some web sites out there that seem to promise the necessary "letter of prescription" for a modest fee, and say things like "live anywhere and travel with "your friend" without pet fees".
Oct 3, 2013, 1:31 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
Unfortunately I have found that many companies (e.g. Starbucks) maintain policies that do not permit employees to question anyone claiming this condition or to require medical documentation for ESAs which leaves the field open for fakers. However if you look up the applicable federal ADA guidelines you'll find that it is perfectly legal for anyone to question the owner as to what services the animal provides. "Emotional support" is not legit under the ADA guidelines that apply to restaurants, so it has been my experience that most owners will claim that the animal detects seizures (because that's impossible to verify) as opposed to vision impairment (which is rarely faked and easily verified).
I know where this thread is headed, so let me be the first to say "In before the lock!"
Last edited by Boraxo; Oct 9, 2013 at 12:05 am Reason: Edited per moderator request
Oct 3, 2013, 2:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
While ESA's are not recognized as Service Anamail under the ADA, that requires special training and certification. The Fair Housing Act and The Air Carrier Access Act do recognize them and require accommodation and waiver of fees.
ESAs have been shown to be of benefit, but I also believe that the designation is abused fairly often.
ESAs have been shown to be of benefit, but I also believe that the designation is abused fairly often.
Oct 3, 2013, 3:41 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Night Vale
Posts: 1,872
I don't always fly with an ESA, but when I do, I take Charlotte.