Should emotional support animals be allowed on commercial flights?

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 08:41:24 -0400

https://proudamericantraveler.com/are-emotional-therapy-pets-ruining-travel-for-everyone/
Some food for thought in this article if you haven't dealt with the issue.

are-emotional-therapy-pets-ruining-travel-for-everyone

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 13 at 2019 8:41 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 08:41:40 -0400

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 13 at 2019 8:42 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 08:42:29 -0400

Also depends on what type of animal it is.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2019 9:00 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:00:56 -0400

In my view, Lt Col Charlie Brown - If allowed, feasibly every passenger could have an animal with them & it could disrupt aircraft operation in the passenger cabin. That possibly may have an impact on pilots having to deal with chaos in the passenger cabin... Just saying...

Response by Sgt Vance Bonds made Oct 13 at 2019 9:34 AM

Sgt Vance Bonds — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:34:30 -0400

I have a Service Dog. Arrow was about 31,000. I had to save and raise money. I had two veterans charites help me. He was trained in Phoenix and Sacramento.
Hes been attacked in the airport by these emotional support animals. This is a joke.
I've seen lizards, dogs, cats....
What's interesting to me is situations like this. The navy flew us to Coronado in San Diego for some training. There was also a dog show in town. The flight back had some 10 -12 "Emotional Support " animals on it. Coincidence????
Its BS. Arrow is a mobility and diabetic alert dog. He picks things off of shelves for me, gets the mail, gets my keys if I drop them. His mobility harness was 600 dollars. I was lucky and Paws Up for Veterans bought it for me. He is necessary for me.
Your peacock....lizard....GOLD FISH!
Go Away

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Oct 13 at 2019 9:39 AM

CWO3 Dave Alcantara — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:39:16 -0400

Everybody considers their pets as emotional support animals. That doesn’t mean we need a plane load of Lhasa Shitzus, and happy little chihuahuas on every plane, not to mention a Newfoundland or 2

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Oct 13 at 2019 9:46 AM

LT Brad McInnis — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:46:56 -0400

Ture support animals, sure by all means. But those that are being used for attention and fame whoring (like the emotional support ostrich) should not.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Oct 13 at 2019 9:56 AM

SSG Donald H "Don" Bates — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:56:56 -0400

Depends on the actual need and on the animal, there are truly needy and then there are scared of everything people.

Response by CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman made Oct 13 at 2019 10:11 AM

CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 10:11:15 -0400

Professionally I have written letters in favor of “emotional support animals” (a very distinct category of animal verses “service animal”) where the animal was clinically and circumstantially appropriate. These situations have been mostly for college aged clients with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression. I actually have them bring the animal in after a thorough intake confirming the diagnosis. I have the clients bring the animal to my office to see the interaction between my client and the animal and determine how the animal will help the client and if the animal can tolerate the environment of my office space without disruption to the practice. If the animal can’t handle my peaceful office and therefore increases the client’s anxiety then I can’t recommend the animal as an “emotional support” for the client. These sessions are 90 min to 2 hours in length. I always tell my clients that I do not have the expertise to qualify an animal as a “service animal” nor can I guarantee that my letter stating the “emotional support animal” indeed provides them help with emotional and mood regulation will be enough to convince the determining parties that they may have the animal in their dormitory or apartment. That’s not my call. So-this is a long answer to say-when it comes to “emotional support animal” verses “service animal” I think it depends on the circumstances and the situation. If my client’s anxiety is such that they need their animal with them most of the time then I recommend they consider getting an animal with the training that meets the ADA requirements for an approved “service animal.”

Response by AA Whitney-Elizabeth Moates made Oct 13 at 2019 11:48 AM

AA Whitney-Elizabeth Moates — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 11:48:43 -0400

I feel like maybe there should be better guidelines over the service/emotional animal certification availability. Apparently you can now order them online and claim your animal as one. Without needing a psychiatrist or training, etc. I think that is where the problem lies with the service animals. I have one who is trained, he doesn't bark unless it is a necessity for alert. Just like my friend who has a Russian wolfhound for her seizures. So, if anyone can now online claim any animal as one, that's the problem- not real trained service animals.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 13 at 2019 1:14 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 13:14:04 -0400

Lt Col Charlie Brown The itty bitty dogs that accompany their owners into stores on shopping excursions really annoy me!

They are small, with long leashes, liable to get in my path and constituent a tripping hazard for elders such as myself.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2019 1:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 13:16:34 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwImBkTZj54

Peacock prompts United to change emotional support animal policy

United is the latest airline to crack down on so-called emotional support animals. The policy change was prompted in part by a passenger who tried to board a...

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 14 at 2019 6:33 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 06:33:35 -0400

No, emotional support animals are just an excuse to take your animal in the passenger areas of the terminal and airplane. I have flown 2 million miles with Delta the last 25 years or so and I have seen it all with animals. Those that are trained Service Animals are well behaved/disciplined animals performing a real service for someone in need.

If you need fluffy in your lap to make you feel good/comfy etc, you have more problems than fluffy will ever solve.

I watch this untrained pets pee on the walls, crap on the carpet, bark and yip at everyone that walks by in the terminal and in the cabin of the plane there have been instances of the animals peeing on the seat/floor etc. Don't get me started on lizards, snakes, peacocks and the like. We have very weak people with lots of first world problems that need a reality check.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Oct 14 at 2019 7:07 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 07:07:04 -0400

I think it depends on the individual's situation. I have a certified ESA female dog, and she's been really helpfull with my needs/attitude, but I would not bring her onto a plane full of people, especially closed together. I wouldn't do it. I don't think is good for both the animal, the owner, or the rest of the passengers inside the cabin.

Response by CPL John LaVelle made Oct 14 at 2019 9:47 PM

CPL John LaVelle — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 21:47:46 -0400

Much has been said already but I'm gonna hang my hat on "no". The animal may not be supportive of other people or animals present. The animal may not enjoy the experience as well. Why terrorize every other living being on the plane with your issues when you can stay at home, figure out a socially publicly acceptable means of handling instead of this.

But it does bring to mind a joke my wife likes to play: Some times as we are entering a commercial establishment she will point to the "service animals allowed" sign and say to the cashier/employee, "This is my service animal, just don't listen to him as he's never made much sense."