US Tightens Definition Of Service Animals Allowed On Planes

According to The Transportation Department, a new ruling has decided that only dogs can fly as service animals.  Up until this point, passengers have been able to provide a note from a healthcare professional stating they needed their pet(s) for emotional support.  Several airlines stated that some passengers were abusing the option and bringing various animals on board including a peacock, cats, turtles, pot-bellied pigs, etc.

Under the new rule, passengers that want to travel with emotional support animals will be required to pay a pet fee and check them in cargo.  The passengers that have a verified service dog will be required to submit the documentation 48 hours prior to the flight. A service animal is identified as “a dog trained to help a person with a physical or psychiatric disability”.