Delta recently announced that, starting March 1st, they will no longer allow dogs to fly as cargo. Citing concerns over too many canine deaths and disappearances, the main reasons for the policy change surrounded animal safety. So, unless your pet is small enough to fit in a soft-sided kennel and slide under the seat (which can be a hefty $125 each way), you’re outta-luck if you want Fido to join along on your travels. That is, unless, he’s a service animal OR an emotional support animal. Having your dog become an emotional support animal entails a significant amount of paperwork and an approximate $200 annual fee. As long as you have the paperwork, airlines legally have to allow the animal on the plane at no additional charge.
Compass + Twine mascot, Kirby
So we’d thought we’d delve a little deeper into the experiences and conversations surrounding the topic of pets flying on planes as service animals. Strong opinions surround the topic, but honestly, we’ve got mixed emotions about it. When not an actual, certified service animal, most of these pets fall under the category of ’emotional support animal’.
Recently, The Today Show did a segment on just how easy it is to have your pet certified as an emotional support animal. On the segment, they filled out the online forms, paid a fee, and – boom – done. Next, they took one flight with a dog and another flight with a pig. In both scenarios the encountered no issues from the airlines and just a couple of strange looks from passengers with the pig. Now, who are we to say that your pet pig doesn’t really calm you down? Maybe she really helps you chill out. We’ll admit though, it can be disconcerting as passenger to see someone else’s pig, bird, or reptile slide up next to you on those cozy plane seats. But lets focus on the most common type of service animal: mans best friend, the dog.
Kirby, right before she fell asleep for the whole flight
Now, we do take issue when pet owners try to pass emotional support animals off as trained, certified service dogs. Some folks will actually purchase service dog vests online and make their emotional support animal wear it to make them look more legit. Service dogs have gone through intense training to become certified, while emotional support animals – for the most part – have not. There is a notable difference between the two.
We did our own experiment recently and brought our beloved dog and Compass + Twine mascot, Kirby, along with us on a flight. In the past, she’s flown cargo (that whole process completely wigged her out) and when she was a pup, she fit in a soft kennel under the seat. This time we established her as an emotional support dog. We had to prove an emotional disability (flight anxiety) and had to speak extensively over the phone with a physician. Next, we finished the paperwork and paid the fee. On flight day, Kirby wore no vest (not needed), just her normal harness and leash. No questions were asked at the airport and, in fact, everyone was exceptionally nice, wanting to pet Kirby throughout the journey. While we understand peoples’ frustrations over the ease of attaining ’emotional support’ paperwork, it was – admittedly – lovely to be able to bring her along with us. Most importantly though, Kirby wasn’t completely jarred by the rather scarring cargo hold process and we are glad to see Delta no longer allowing animals to be cooped up down below. Additionally, we avoided paying expensive boarding costs, our family got to see her, and she got to escape the city and run free in a yard (definition of yard for our fellow New Yorkers: here ). In an age when people really do bring their dogs with them everywhere they go, perhaps airlines should be offering more (and cheaper) options for the four-legged members of our families.
Kirby, on a recent flight
