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Legally reviewed by: Are you wondering which airlines accept psychiatric service dogs (PSDs)? The great news is that if you’re flying domestically within the United States or between the U.S. and an international destination, then your qualified psychiatric service dog is entitled to travel in cabin free of charge, subject to applicable safety and behavior requirements.
If you have a psychiatric service dog, flying with one in the cabin may be easier than you think. U.S. disability and transportation laws protect passengers who need a service dog. This guide will tell you what you should know if you are thinking about flying with a psychiatric service dog.
Which airlines accept psychiatric service dogs?
Most airlines have strict rules when it comes to animals on flights. Airlines will generally allow your dog to board, but only if it can fit in a small carrier and after paying a hefty fee. There are many limitations regarding pets that prevent dog owners from flying with their furry friends.
Regardless of these restrictions on pets, U.S. airlines and foreign airlines operating flights to or from the U.S. must accommodate qualified psychiatric service dogs on flights, subject to applicable safety, conduct, and documentation requirements. Furthermore, psychiatric service dogs exempt from pet fees and pet carrier restrictions, although they must be safely accommodated in the cabin.
Psychiatric service dogs get special treatment because they are protected by the Air Carrier Access Act and regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under these laws, people with psychiatric disabilities who need a service dog’s assistance have special rights during air travel.
What do you need to do to fly with a psychiatric service dog?
In 2021 the U.S. Department of Transportation streamlined the process of flying with service animals. If your airline requires it, you must submit the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the airline prior to boarding. An airline may require submission up to 48 hours before departure for advance bookings, but must allow the form at the gate for bookings made less than 48 hours before departure.
The DOT Form requires the handler of a PSD to make various self-certifications regarding their eligibility for a service dog. For a complete guide on completing the DOT Form, please visit this link.
Each airline has its own process for accepting the DOT Form. For example, some request that the form be sent to a specific email address, while others have a dedicated link to submit the form.
For information on flying with a service dog for your particular airline, please see the links below:
Who qualifies for a psychiatric service dog?
To qualify for a psychiatric service dog, you must have a mental health disability. That can include conditions like severe anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or another qualifying mental health condition.
A licensed mental health professional is the best person to talk to about your mental health and whether you meet the relevant criteria. Many PSD owners obtain PSD letters from their healthcare professionals for added assurance and peace of mind.
How to Get Your Psychiatric Service Dog Letter from ESA Doctors:
When required to submit the DOT Form, PSD handlers must attest that they have a service dog for an eligible disability. There can be legal consequences for lying on the form, so you should be 100% sure about your service dog eligibility before signing it. A PSD letter can help with being confident about this part of the process.
Another important requirement to be aware of as a PSD owner relates to the dog’s training, as we’ll discuss in the next section.
Psychiatric Service Dog Training Requirements
A dog is not considered a service animal until it has fully completed the necessary training. To qualify as a service animal, a dog must perform at least one job or task relating to the handler’s disability.
For psychiatric service dogs, this can include tasks like the following:
- Retrieve essential medications.
- Lick or paw their handler in response to trained cues during moments of crisis.
- Interrupt dissociative episodes or self-destructive behaviors.
- Remind their handler to perform important daily tasks.
- Use deep pressure therapy (DPT) to calm their handler.
- Provide a buffer against triggering external stimuli.
In addition, all service dogs must be capable of being taken into public spaces like airports without causing any disruption. A psychiatric service dog can be removed from the airport or airplane if it exhibits aggression or is out of control.
Airline staff may ask for your dog to be removed if, for example, your dog is barking excessively without provocation, not responding to your commands, relieving itself in inappropriate areas, or lunging at other passengers. A psychiatric service dog must be under the control of its handler at all times.
Final Thoughts
If you are flying domestically within the U.S. or flying between the U.S. and an international destination, you can be confident that your airline is subject to the DOT’s rules for service dogs. However, flying with a PSD does take some preparation.
An important step is to complete the DOT Form on time. U.S. airlines must accommodate qualified psychiatric service dog subject to applicable
safety and conduct requirements.
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