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) 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. 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.
There have been some problems with people abusing the system and many of the
airlines no longer permit comfort animals in the cabin.
Therefore, when you travel with Comfort Animals (or Therapy Animals),
you will need to speak with the airlines in advance.
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
These airlines have signed the DOT agreement relating to Comfort
Animals, but you should still speak with them prior to making your reservation. Other foreign carriers may also follow the new rules, but they
are not obligated to do so.
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.
