Air Canada has issued a clarification on their definition of emotional support (ESA) and psychiatric service animals. This is the first airline to address this classification of animal. Here is their policy:
Dogs as emotional support or psychiatric service animals
If you wish to travel with a dog* as an emotional support or psychiatric service animal, you will need to ensure that your animal is harnessed. More than 48 hours prior to departure, you must also provide supporting documentation in the form of an original letter on the letterhead of a licensed mental health professional (e.g. a psychologist, psychiatrist or licensed clinical social worker), dated within one year of your departure date.
The letter must confirm that:
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- You have a mental or emotional disability recognized by the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
- You need your dog for emotional or psychiatric support during travel and/or at destination
- The person who prepared the document is a licensed mental health professional
You are currently under the care of the licensed mental health professional who prepared the document
The letter must also provide information on the mental health professional?s license (i.e. type of licence, date issued, and issuing authority).
*NOTE: Air Canada does not accept animals other than dogs as emotional support or psychiatric service animals. ESAs are accepted only on flights to or from the United States or?flights with an Air-Canada operated flight through a US-based airline.
More information on Air Canada pet policies.
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Sandi – it is not your ESA that causes problems for the airlines. Sadly, others have taken advantage of the protections that the Air Carrier Access Act offers. When the TSA issues it?s ruling, we hope that those like yourself will not be affected.
Susan
I have severe anxiety and panic and travel with my dog on my lap. It?s obvious you have no idea the way anxiety affects one?s life. I wish it on no one. I resent those that abuse it because it makes it difficult for those of us that suffer. The airlines do not make it easy. My dog lays on my lap under a blanket, doesn?t bark, eat, drink or go to the bathroom. Most passengers don?t even realize she?s there. As far as others, many people ask to sit near her. Every time we take off, land or have turbulence I hold on to her with my head down shaking. Without her, I don?t see my grandchildren. Become educated before judging those of us that suffer. It can happen to you or someone you love at any time or age. Try this..close your eyes and imagine yourself tied down on a railroad track as a train is approaching and you can?t get up. That?s how a panic attack feels and that?s how I feel as a plane takes off and lands. And it?s a hell of a lot better than getting addicted to drugs!
Rena – you must provide documentation to the airlines at least 48 hours in advance. Many of them will verify your documentation. This is their rules. Otherwise, everyone would travel with their pet in the cabin no matter whether they had a need to or not. This would affect people like you who really need your pet. http://www.pettravel.com/passports_comfort_animals.cfm
Phil
i have anxiety and need my dog as emotional support. why must i prove mental illness or be under the care of a psychiatrist
Joe, when you have survived multiple wars and have massive PTSD, THEN you get the right to say no one but blind need a dog. My dog is the only thing that prevents me from having massive PTSD attacks for HOURS at a time, which btw are so intense they can give me a heart attack from it.
I totally get that a great deal of people are abusing the system, but there ARE some of us that actually need our dog for ACTUAL ESA needs. Not everyone is a scammer!
The rules are getting stricter for US-based airlines for ESAs. You are correct that not all people need them, but there are those that really do. The issue is training (or lack thereof). All pet owners with emotional disabilities should make sure their pets are trained to behave and are socialized before flying.
Susan
Emotional support dogs… ya right scam to fly free dogs….what about folks on the plane who are allergenic or terrified of dogs?
What if the dog start to howl or get sick? Basically selfish people
Blind, ok you need the dog. Otherwise the dog goes via air freight…
Debbie – we have not heard of a legitimate ID card related to ESAs. The reason for this is because there is no central organization that registers these pets. Commercial airlines will ask for a professional physician’s note.
Jason
My daughter has extreme anxiety and has a labrador retriever as an emotional support dog. We travel a lot, and I’m wondering where can I obtain an I.D. card for her? Getting a report from her doctor will not be an issue.
Maureen – it appears from this blog post that your dog is an emotional support animal as opposed to a trained service dog that assists a physically disabled passenger. Air Canada will fly your ESA in the cabin from your origination to Toronto. You will need to check with Lufthansa as they will only fly ESAs in the cabin on flights to or from the US.
Susan
Maureen – you can find requirements to import your service dog to Germany here and there are links to further instructions and forms if you need them: http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Germany.cfm. The rules apply to all dogs equally. In Toronto, you will likely need to change terminals for an international flight. You will check in at your next airline’s check in desk and provide the documentation for your dog (and yourself) to fly.
Susan
I am planning a trip from Canada to Germany in the spring. What needs to be in place and what are my requirements to bring my Service dog? She does not fit under a seat. We (my dog and I) have ID cards, and my dog has a vest/harness as well as a letter from my family doctor. What else do I need? Also, we will be traveloing to Toronto, and possibly changing carriers, such as Lufthansa or Transat? Do your requirements transfer to them as well?
Hello, I have a Service Dog, both of us (my dog and I) have ID cards. We are planning a trip to Germany from Thunder Bay, Canada. What do I need to do as I suspect we may be changing carriers (possibly Lufthansa or equivalent) in Toronto. I don?t want any surprises. Thank you.
Thanks so much.
Diane – Air Canada will fly your ESA in the cabin as long as it is well behaved and can sit in your lap or at your feet without disrupting cabin operations or other passengers. You will need to contact them ahead of time to alert them that you are flying with an ESA.
Phil
Hi, just trying to clarify a couple things.
My dog is ~50lbs. I have the appropriate documentation from my family doctor for an ESA. If the only carrier that can accommodate my dog is larger than a “carry-on”, will she be able to be in the cabin with me or not?
This would be for domestic Air Canada flights. Thank you all so much.
Caroline – Air Canada currently only recognizes emotional support animals on domestic flights within Canada.
Jason
Hello, I am traveling with my ESA dog from Barbados to Canada, is she allowed in the cabin with me on Air Canada?