Therapy Animals
Travel with Therapy Animals and Comfort Animals:
Comfort and Animal Animals differ from Medically Certified Service
Animals because Service Animals fall under the protective rules as
established by the American Disabilities Act, (ADA) Air Carrier Access Act, and the United
States Department of Transportation (DOT). Because their services help
those with physical disabilities, they may accompany the people they
serve in places where other animals would not be permitted such as in
the cabin of an aircraft even when they exceed carry on requirements.
Find more information on traveling with a service animal.
Comfort Animals are used in Animal Assisted Therapy to improve the
physical, social, emotional and cognitive condition of the patient. Most
Comfort Animals are dogs and cats, however this therapy can also include
parrots, horses, elephants, lizards, and monkeys. The DOT is currently considering
the addition of pigs to the list. These pet animals are
now recognized as providing a valuable service to the elderly and to
others with a medical disability and have recently reached the status of
Service Animals.
When you travel with Comfort Animals (or Therapy Animals),
the following airlines have indicated that they will honor the proper
documentation on a case by case basis:
Domestic -
Air Tran Airways, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines,
Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian
Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest, Spirit Airlines, United, US
Airways, and Virgin America. You will need to contact the airline and
confirm that they will allow your pet on your route. Always remember,
however, that there are countries that mandate that your pet arrive as
manifest cargo including comfort and service animals.
A clarification has been issued as to policy for comfort animals traveling on Air Canada.
International -
Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic
Other foreign carriers may also follow the new rules, but they
are not obligated to do so.
Note: Passengers intending to travel to the United Kingdom with emotional support animals need to arrange pre-approval clearance and pay a processing fee. You will need to contact the appropriate reception center.
The key to acceptance is a strongly worded letter from a medical
professional stating that the well being of the pet's owner is at risk
if they are separated from their pet. The most common reason is mental
anxiety or depression and a letter from a psychiatrist will generally
suffice. However, individuals with a heart condition may get a letter
from their physician stating that the pet calms the pet owner and
therefore reduces the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Recent research suggests that people with psychiatric disabilities can
benefit significantly from assistive animals, too. Emotional support
animals have been proven extremely effective at ameliorating the
symptoms of these disabilities, such as depression and post-traumatic
stress disorder, by providing therapeutic nurture and support.
THERAPY ANIMAL DEFINITION
A THERAPY animal is normally a dog that has been obedience trained and
screened for its ability to interact favorably with humans and other
animals. The primary purpose of a therapy dog is to visit people in
hospitals, care homes and retirement centers who enjoy being visited by
a friendly dog. They are generally handled by volunteers who both train
the animals and then take them on visitations.
We offer a document that fully explains the rules regarding air pet
travel with Comfort Animals.
It also explains the rules for taking Comfort Animal into a rabies free country such as the UK or
Hawaii.
