Department of Transportation

The Completely Reasonable Reason People Are Flying With Mini Horses

Air Carrier Access Act, Civil Rights, Medical Assistance Animals, Miniature Horse

August 21, 2019

The Department of Transportation’s declaration that miniature horses should be prioritized as service animals has raised many questions.

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Department of Transportation Will Let Airlines Ban Emotional Support Snakes And Rodents

Air Carrier Access Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Cases, Civil Rights, Education, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), End Disability Discrimination, Government, Medical Assistance Animals, Miniature Horse, News, Pets, Service Dogs (SD), Service Dogs in Training (SDiT), Stop Disability Fraud, Travel

August 12, 2019

DOT listened to all of the stakeholders, reviewed the law, and laid out guidelines that will allow airlines to balance their operational needs, the comfort needs of all passengers, while ensuring that restrictions put in place don’t preclude having mental health needs met.

While that may not mean the end of passengers getting bitten by poorly controlled and vicious animals, it allows some controls to be put in place that may reduce the frequency and severity of incidents.

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American Airlines flight attendant bitten by emotional support dog, requires five stitches

Air Carrier Access Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Cases, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Medical Assistance Animals, News, Pets, Stop Disability Fraud, Travel

July 25, 2019

The DOT (Department of Transportation) sought comments from travelers in 2018 and was flooded with replies, but so far no action has been taken.

“We need the (U.S.) Department of Transportation to take action now, so events like the one that happened yesterday do not continue to occur on our planes,” the statement said. “This is fundamentally about maintaining safety, health and security for passengers and crew, while ensuring accessibility for those who need it.”

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Survey: 61 percent of flight attendants say emotional support animals have caused trouble midflight

Air Carrier Access Act, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Medical Assistance Animals, News, Pets, Service Dogs (SD), Stop Disability Fraud

September 15, 2018

AFA reported earlier this week that 82 percent flight attendants surveyed agree that the DOT needs to release a more clarified policy on the requirements for emotional support animal in the high skies, while continuing necessary support for travelers with disabilities and veterans.

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So you want a letter saying you need a support dog on that flight? Here’s why a therapist might balk

Air Carrier Access Act, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Fair Housing Act, Medical Assistance Animals, News, Pets, Travel

June 4, 2018

“This thing has gotten out of hand,” said Jeff Younggren, a psychologist and clinical professor at the University of New Mexico, who has conducted several studies on the subject of emotional support animals.

The number of passengers flying with emotional support animals on the nation’s airlines has surged. United Airlines, one of the biggest carriers, saw a 75% increase last year compared with 2016. The trend has been accompanied by more incidents of animals urinating, defecating, biting, barking and lunging on planes. A passenger was even mauled by a 50-pound dog on a Delta flight last year.

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Advisory Committee on Accessible Air Transportation, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, American Psychological Association, Arkansas, Atlanta, Aubrey Fine, Brad Morris, California, Claremont, clinical professor, college student, Connie Galietti, Conway, David A. Songco, Delta Air Lines, Department of Transportation, DOT, German Shepherd, Jeff Younggren, Julia Annin, Katelynn Ballard, Michi Fu, Milwaukee, monkey, North C, Pasadena, peacock, Psychiatric Service Dog Partners, psychiatrists, psychologist, Rhode Island, San Francisco, therapists, Tiburon, turkey, United Airlines, University of New Mexico

Miniature horses are welcome as service animals, but monkeys are a maybe, according to U.S. airline regulators

Air Carrier Access Act, Civil Rights, Media, Medical Assistance Animals, Miniature Horse, News

May 25, 2018

Miniature horses are in, for now. But capuchin monkeys are on shakier ground.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday that it will work to make sure “the most commonly used service animals (i.e., dogs, cats, and miniature horses)” are still allowed on flights, despite increased efforts by airlines to crack down on fraudulent assistance critters of all kinds.

Reports of maulings, allergic reactions, faked medical necessity forms and other abuses have poisoned the environment for responsible travelers who legitimately need service animals. The problems have spurred major airlines, including Delta, United and Alaska, to tighten their rules for psychiatric service animals and emotional support companions.

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Advisory Committee on Accessible Air Transportation, Airlines for America, Alaska Airlines, capuchin monkeys, cats, Delta Airlines, Department of Transportation, dogs, Elaine Chao, ferrets, Miniature horses, Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, reptiles, rodents, Secretary, snakes, spiders, sugar gliders, United Airlines, USDOT

DOT ANPRM: Traveling by air with service animals

Air Carrier Access Act, Civil Rights

May 16, 2018

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is seeking comment on amending its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on transportation of service animals. The Department has heard from the transportation industry, as well as individuals with disabilities, that the current ACAA regulation could be improved to ensure nondiscriminatory access for individuals with disabilities, while simultaneously preventing instances of fraud and ensuring consistency with other Federal regulations.

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Is that dog (or pig) on your flight really a service animal?

Air Carrier Access Act, Americans with Disability Act, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Medical Assistance Animals, News, Pets

May 1, 2018

David Favre, a law professor at Michigan State University and editor in chief of its Animal Legal and Historical Center, said fraudulent cases eroded trust about service animals.

“There are many thoughtless, ignorant or arrogant people out there who only think of themselves,” he said. “Abuse is everywhere.”

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Alaska Airlines, Animal Legal and Historical Center, Arizona, Assistance Dogs International, Delta Airlines, Department of Transportation, hamster, Iowa, Michigan State University, Minnesota, National Education for Assistance Dog Services, peacock, University of Missouri, University of New Mexico, World Services for the Blind