Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Traveling with your service dog on an international flight to Mexico is not only allowed but also free of charge. With a little planning and preparation, you can ensure a delightful and worry-free journey together. 

In this guide, we’ve got you covered with all the essential information to make your flight with your service dog to Mexico a breeze.

Gathering Essential Documents

Navigating the world of travel with a service dog may seem daunting, with various rules, airline policies, and border controls to consider. While each airline has specific requirements, certain documents are standard across the board:

Certificate of Good Health DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form Vaccination records Proof of deworming and delousing Certificate of Good Health

The certificate should be from a veterinary physician – on their letterhead – with a professional ID number, and it must contain the following:

the owner’s name and address the animal’s breed, sex, age, and color  departure and destination address

You may have read online that Mexico’s government no longer requires a health certificate. While that is technically true, some airlines require them, and travelers have reported that Mexican authorities will still ask to see this document. Be sure to keep one original and one copy at hand. 

The DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form

This is the form required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly with a service dog to or from the U.S. Many Mexico-based airlines don’t ask for this form, but you may want to have a completed version with you, just in case. 

Filling out the form is easy; you can find instructions at this link

Vaccination Records

Make sure you have up-to-date rabies vaccine records indicating the date of application, the period covered by the vaccine, and product information. This can be included in the health certificate. 

Proof of Deworming and Delousing

This information can also be in the certificate. Some airlines require proof that the service dog has been dewormed and deloused no less than 6 months before arriving in Mexico. Make sure it states the product date of application and name.

Arriving in Mexico with Your Service Dog

Upon arrival, head to the SAGARPA/SENASICA office at the airport. Officials will review your service dog’s documentation and perform a physical inspection. If everything is in order, they will grant entry to your service dog. Mexican airport officials are typically professional and reasonable when it comes to service dogs.

After passing customs, look for this window with the sign “Oficina de Inspección” to your left. This is where you submit your health certificate. Departing Mexico 

When it’s time to return home, you will show your service dog documents again to your airline’s staff during check-in. If you are flying with AeroMexico, below is a picture guide that may help you. (Be aware though that AeroMexico may change their stations or process in the future – ask an AeroMexico staff member when you’re unsure where to go).

Look for this sign that says “Documentación Check-in” and head to AeroMexico’s check-in area. Look for this kiosk under “Special Services” at the far right to submit your service dog documents, get your boarding pass, and check your bags. After checking in and getting your boarding pass, head to the security line. You’ll want to be in the far right line with your service dog. The security staff will conduct a pat down of your service dog. Make sure you have copies of your service dog documents handy in case anyone asks for them. Handy Extras for Your Journey

To make your trip more comfortable, consider bringing:

Vests, tags, ID cards, harnesses. Service dog paraphernalia can be incredibly helpful at the airport and on the plane. They serve to notify other passengers and airline staff that you have a working animal. Airline and border staff also tend to expect service dogs to be identified with these accessories.  PSD letter. If you own a psychiatric service dog, you may want to carry a PSD letter with you. A PSD letter states that you have an eligible psychiatric condition for owning a service dog.  Wonder if your emotional disorder qualifies for a psychiatric service dog?Get an assessment by a licensed health professional. Before or Right After Booking Your Flight

Always consult your airline for their most recent policies and requirements concerning service animals. Most airlines have a dedicated section on their website or a disability services contact for further inquiries.

Here are links to the service dog policies of popular airlines flying to Mexico:

AeroMexico Viva AeroBus Volaris  United American Airlines  Delta Southwest In-Flight Tips

Service animals can accompany their handlers in the cabin, but airlines may require harnessing, leashing, or tethering. Service animals must fit in the handler’s foot space without obstructing the aisle or other areas. Airlines should work with passengers to find suitable seating, such as a bulkhead seat or one with more legroom.

Additional Considerations

If you are stopping in other countries on the way to Mexico or when returning to the States, you may be subject to different regulations. It’s important to research the rules of these countries as well.

For example, if you are flying to Mexico from the US, then on to Costa Rica, and back to Mexico, you will need to understand Costa Rica’s local rules and what Mexico requires from flights to Costa Rica. 

If you’re flying with your service dog to Mexico for the first time and feeling anxious, remember that service dog handlers are protected on both sides of the border. With the proper documents and a well-trained service dog, you should have no trouble enjoying your trip to Mexico.

Register your Service Dog and order your custom Service Animal Identification Card and Certificate

In short: During flights, smaller service dogs are allowed to sit in their handler’s lap while larger service dogs can sit in the foot space. The service dog cannot impinge on another passenger’s space or block the aisle. 

Before you fly ✈️ : U.S. travel rules permit service dogs to fly in the cabin if the handler has submitted the DOT’s service animal form to the airline prior to boarding. This allows owners of service dogs and psychiatric service dogs to board airplanes with their canines free of any additional charge.

Alternate accommodations for larger breeds: Many service dogs are larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Labradors. These dogs sometimes cannot comfortably fit into the passenger’s foot space. In these situations, the airline should try to move the passenger to another seat in the same class of service where the service dog can be accommodated (for example, next to an empty seat, if available). 

Last resort options: If a larger service dog cannot be accommodated on a full flight, airlines can offer to transport the service dog free of charge in cargo (which almost every service dog owner would decline) or rebook the tickets on a later flight if there is space available. 

What else to know: Be sure to come prepared to the airport with a harness, leash, or tether. The airline can require the handler to use these items. It’s also a good idea to use service dog accessories like tags, vests, and ID cards so you can let airline staff and other passengers know that you have a service dog. 

Share this image on your site (copy code below): <div style="clear:both"><a href="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/where-does-a-service-dog-sit-on-an-airplane/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;margin:0 0 10px;" src="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/S-QA-Airplane-Seat.jpg" title="Where Does a Service Dog Sit On An Airplane?" alt="Smaller dogs sit in handler's lap, larger dogs sit in foot space" border="0" data-src="" /></a></div> Copy

If you have ever wondered if you can take a service dog on an airplane, the answer is Yes. Unlike a pet rabbit or an emotional support cat, federal laws apply to service dogs while traveling. These laws protect service dog handlers because service dogs are trained to provide an essential service for someone with a disability. Whether it’s a mobility service dog, a psychiatric service dog, or an allergy detection service dog, all service dogs may fly with their handler.

A Service Dog is Not a Pet 

All dogs give their owners a warm, fuzzy feeling because dogs are adorable animals — their presence makes life a little brighter. A service dog, however, offers much more than a wagging tail and a face full of kisses. Service dogs receive extensive training to perform one or more tasks, making life easier and safer for their handlers. 

They offer their handlers a chance to experience life in ways that would otherwise be difficult — or even impossible — because of a disability. So, although a service dog may look like a pet, they are definitely not. Therefore, federal laws require airlines to recognize service animals as a part of the passenger’s life.

As service dogs are not pets, pet fees and most pet restrictions don’t apply to service dogs when traveling on an airplane. 

Service Dog Certifications

Service Dogs vs Emotional Support Animal 

The federal laws that apply to service dogs on an airplane are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA explicitly protects people with special needs or disabilities when traveling. Under the ACAA, airlines must recognize service dogs on flights to, from, and throughout the U.S. Only service dogs apply to the law — other animal species performing a service for someone with a disability may fly if the airline chooses to allow it.

Unfortunately, emotional support animals (ESA) do not fall under the ACAA. Unless an airline makes an exception, they are not obligated by federal law to transport the ESA. If an airline offers an ESA exception, they may ask for an ESA letter to verify an animal’s status. 

Service dogs are the only animals that, by law, can fly with their owners in the cabin of an airplane. Flying with a Service Dog

To verify your service dog, the airline can’t ask about the nature of a handler’s disability, they may inquire whether the dog is necessary because of a disability and if the dog was task-trained to assist the disability. In essence, the two questions you want to be prepared to answer may sound like this:

Do you have a mental health disability? Has your dog been trained to perform tasks relating to that disability? 

Any questions regarding the details of the disability or requests for a demonstration of the trained tasks are not allowed and are considered a breach of your privacy.

Airlines may request the following documents and may refuse a service animal if the forms are incomplete: 

A United States DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form attesting to the dog’s health, behavior, and training. For more information on how to fill out the form, read hereA United States DOT Service Animal Relief form attesting that the dog can relieve itself in a sanitary manner on flights that are 8 hours or longer. 

Airlines may only request additional documentation to comply with transportation requirements for a foreign jurisdiction, a U.S. territory, or other federal agencies. An airline can’t refuse a service dog because other customers feel uncomfortable, but they can deny it because it’s disruptive. 

When Can an Airline Refuse a Service Dog?

Airlines can refuse the most well-behaved service dog if the required federal documents aren’t completed before boarding. To ensure that the correct records are completed, fill them out correctly before traveling and make copies to have on hand.

Download the DOT Form – Service Animal Air Transportation Form (pdf) here.

The following are other factors to keep in mind while traveling with your service dog: 

For safety reasons, service dogs must not block the aisle or emergency exit.  A service dog may safely sit on their owner’s lap if they’re small enough.  An airline may refuse a service dog if it doesn’t meet the criteria for safety, like if the service dog is too large or heavy for the cabin. An airline may refuse a service dog if it is a disruption or a direct threat to others.  Traveling Outside the U.S. With a Service Dog

Whether for business or pleasure, people with service dogs may find themselves traveling outside of the U.S. If so, the service dog handler must comply with the destination country’s health regulations. Failure to meet the country’s laws may result in a refusal from the airline. 

Tips on Flying With Your Service Dog  Take your service dog for a run before boarding the plane. Allowing your service dog to stretch their legs and relapse their energy can make flying less stressful for you and your service animal.  Find the nearest relief station before boarding. Airports in the U.S have relief stations for pets. Some relief stations are small and simple; others are elaborate and artful — they all get the job done. Before flying, offer your dog time at a relief station, especially if the flight is long. Have an emergency kit on hand — the kind for “toilet emergencies.” Even the most well-trained service dogs could have “an accident“ at one time or another. Carrying the proper tools for cleaning saves time and effort — and reduces some embarrassment.  Conclusion

You can fly with your service dog, but remember to (1) complete the required paperwork, (2) be aware of the questions others may and can ask and be prepared to give appropriate answers, and (3) keep an emergency kit with you. Proper planning makes all the difference when traveling on an airplane with your service dog.