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U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form - Sample

Airlines that require the DOT service animal forms must make the forms available to passengers on their website in an accessible format. DOT is providing a sample accessible fillable PDF version of the DOT service animal form.  Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for download free of charge at  https://get.adobe.com/reader , is needed to open the PDF version of the DOT service animal form.  

Although DOT is providing this form in PDF format, DOT encourages airlines to use an accessible web format such as HTML for the form. Typically, for usability reasons, an accessible web format rather than PDF is used by entities when the data entered onto a form is received by the entity posting the form. Also, using an accessible web format, like HTML, has the added benefit of ensuring that the form is accessible on mobile devices.

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Trained Service Animals

Service animals are accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability. Delta accepts only trained service animals that are dogs. Customers traveling with a trained service dog(s) must complete the required DOT form(s) available on this page. Delta no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals.

We know how important it is to travel smoothly with your trained service dog. For questions, call 404-209-3434 (dial 711 for relay services).

The CDC Issued a Temporary Suspension for Dogs from High Risk Countries Into the U.S.

The CDC has an ongoing, temporary suspension prohibiting the entry of dogs, including trained service animals, into the United States arriving from high-risk countries for rabies. Dogs from high-risk countries must appear healthy, be microchipped and be at least 6 months of age. For dogs with a travel history in high-risk countries, please review the CDC’s guidance on importation .

In-page Links

• Traveling with a Trained Service Animal , Go to footer note
• Inappropriate Animal Behavior , Go to footer note
• Trained Service Animal FAQ , Go to footer note

Traveling with your Trained Service Animal Guidelines

On Delta flights, trained service animals are expected to be seated in the floor space below a customer’s seat or seated in a customer’s lap - they are not permitted to occupy seats. Trained service animals and their associated items travel for free. The size of the animal must not exceed the “footprint” of the passenger’s seat.

• Items include a kennel, blanket, food or similar item

NOTE: If you encounter any issues with your trained service animal while at the airport or on board, please ask to speak to a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). These trained Delta representatives are ready to assist passengers with accessibility needs and protect your rights when you travel by air.

Trained service animals are defined as only dogs specifically trained to assist a person with a disability. Customers may travel with up to two trained service animals. Trained service animals must be properly cleaned and must not have a foul odor.

Delta requires customers complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form for validation prior to their flight attesting to the animal’s health, training and behavior.

• To protect public health, Delta Air Lines requires all dogs including service animals to be current on all vaccinations. Dogs can be vaccinated against rabies at a minimum of 12 weeks (three months) of age and must wait an additional 30 days for the vaccine to become effective.
• For travel booked 48 hours or more prior to departure, customers should submit this documentation in advance for validation through the Accessibility Service Request Form located in My Trips .
• For travel booked less than 48 hours prior to departure, customers may present the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form at the check-in counter or departure gate.
• For flights scheduled for 8 hours or more, customers should also submit a DOT Relief Attestation Form , attesting that the dog will not relieve itself in the aircraft or can do so in a sanitary manner.

DOWNLOAD RELIEF ATTESTATION FORM         OPEN SERVICE ANIMAL AIR TRAVEL FORM

Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for download free of charge at https://get.adobe.com/reader , is needed to open the PDF version of the DOT Relief Attestation Form.

Inappropriate Animal Behavior

We understand how important your animal is to you. We will only refuse transportation of a trained service animal if it engages in disruptive or aggressive behavior such as:

• Jumping on customers, flight attendants or staff
• Relieving themselves in the gate area or cabin
• Barking excessively, not in response to a handler’s need or distress
• Eating off seatback tray tables
• If you’re traveling with a trained service animal, you should select a seat that offers space for your animal. Trained service animals must be seated in the floor space below a seat, or in a customer’s lap. No animals may occupy seats that are designed for customers or to eat off tray tables.
• Please understand that with larger trained service animals or customers with multiple trained service animals, we may need to re-accommodate you if the animal encroaches on other customers or extends into aisles, which would be a violation of FAA regulations.
• If you would like additional time to board the aircraft, pre-boarding is available to accommodate you during the boarding process. Please be sure to arrive at the gate with enough time to make arrangements with the gate agents prior to departure.
• It is important to remember that some locations such as Hawaii, U.K. and other island nations have additional requirements,  quarantine laws may not permit the entry or transit of animals . Contact us at 404-209-3434 or visit the local government’s consulate to learn the requirements for any transit points as well as for your final destination.

Trained Service Animal FAQs

In most circumstances, a service animal in training does not meet qualifications for a trained animal and cannot ride in cabin. However, a service animal in training may travel with a professional trainer en route to the owner.

Yes, all airports in the United States are required to provide a designated animal relief area. Although Delta Air Lines is not responsible for providing care, food or supervision to the areas, we can assist with identifying the location of an animal relief area and escorting a customer to the area, including through security if necessary.

The Delta Sky Club policy for trained service animals is the same as the policy for these animals on a Delta aircraft.

Qualified individuals with a disability are permitted to travel with a maximum of only two service dogs. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that they have adequate space to accommodate both animals and for completing the required DOT documentation for each animal. Delta requires customers complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form prior to your departure.

Though it is not required, extra seats may need to be purchased to provide enough floor space to accommodate the extra animal. Animals cannot sit in seats at any time (including during taxi or boarding). They must be placed in the customer’s lap or on the floor in the foot space of the customer. All animals must behave appropriately in a manner fit for public access.

• Trained service animals may be placed at the customer’s feet at any seat that is not in an exit row as long as no part of the animal extends into the aisle. Animals must be of a size to not exceed the “footprint” of the seat.
• The animal or animals may not extend into the foot space of another customer who does not wish to share foot space with a service or support animal.
• Trained service animals animals may ride in the customer’s lap for all phases of the flight, including ground movement, take off, and landing, provided the trained animal is no larger than a lap held child (under 2 years of age).
• The animal cannot occupy a seat.
• Customers seated in Delta One seats, at times when the seat is not reclined, must keep animals larger than the size of a lap child in the foot space of the seat.
• All animals must remain with the customer at all times.
• If no single seat will accommodate both animal and customer without causing an obstruction, the customer may check the trained service animal as baggage, at no charge, or purchase an additional ticket for the animal, allowing the animal to occupy that space on the floor. The customer can buy a second ticket at the same rate as the original ticket.
• There is no guarantee of additional space beyond 1 seat per ticket.

Delta Air Lines policies and procedures still apply to customers with memberships in the NSAR or any similar entity. Review the policies and procedures or call our accessibility assistance line at 404-209-3434 .

Travel fees

There is no charge to transport trained service animals or their assistive devices, whether they are transported in the cabin or in the hold as checked baggage, or as an oversized animal in cargo. The animal's kennel (whether empty or occupied) is considered an assistive device and does not incur baggage fee.

Trained service animals do not count toward a customer’s carry-on allotment.

Airport restrictions

Some airports have additional state and local requirements for transporting trained service animals through their airport.

JFK Upon arrival to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, all trained service animals arriving from an international pre-cleared station are required to clear TSA.

Hawaii Requirements

Trained service animals may travel to Hawaii under certain conditions. Trained guide dogs and service dogs, only, are accepted with certain provisions, including making advanced arrangements and verifying availability.

Per HDOA, customers must follow the steps outlined in the link below to come into Hawaii without quarantine. You may contact the HDOA at:

hdoa.hawaii.gov; 808-483-7151 [email protected]

• The trained service animal must be traveling with the customer with a disability. All animals are inspected upon arrival in Honolulu International Airport (HNL) at the Animal Quarantine Holding Facility, which operates 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily
• Customers that have guide dogs or trained service dogs may request inspection at the HNL terminal between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. if notified and approved by HDOA 7 days or more before travel

For more information: Hawaiian Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Website: HDOA.Hawaii.gov Phone: 808-483-7151 ; email: [email protected] Animal Control Disease Branch Phone: 808-837-8092 or 808-483-7106

Acceptance policies for service animals vary by country. This includes requirements for pet passports and animal health documentation. In particular, please pay close attention to the CDC High Risk Rabies Country list, which restricts animals from traveling into the United States in most instances.

If any country/territory on the route prohibits entry of such an animal, the animal will not be permitted to fly.

Attention Cuba: Trained service animals are not recognized as service animals by Cuban authorities and will be treated as household pets (dog or cat only) upon arrival. For an animal to travel to Cuba, the customer must request and have in their possession, a household pet certificate from their local Cuban embassy/consulate.

Documentation Requirements: In order to receive a pet certificate from the embassy/consulate, customers  will need the following:

• Animal's Pet Passport (where applicable) showing all vaccinations up-to-date
• Health Certificate for the animal's trip (Request this from a veterinarian)
• Certificate of good health
• Photocopy of the Passport of the person travelling with the animal
• Payment of the consular fee for this service
• Stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of the documents
• Note: If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee will be charged for the pertinent Consular service.
• All payments must be made in cash or by a bank-certified check. All cash sent by mail will be refused and returned at the risk of the applicant.

U.K. Requirements: Delta will transport trained service dogs to London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester and Edinburgh with the proper documentation and compliance to U.K. regulations for transporting animals.

In order for a customer to transport their dog or cat , they must:

• Contact the appropriate Animal Reception Center (ARC) in the city they are traveling to for more information and instruction on what will be needed to enter the U.K. After booking, customers must contact the ARC directly to plan for the arrival of their pet and to ensure that all required documentation is completed in advance for the U.K. Customs clearance of their dog or cat.
• Pay all appropriate fees and charges related to U.K. acceptance of trained service dogs. A current list of charges can be provided by the ARC for the city they are traveling to.

LGW—London Gatwick Animal Aircare Co. Ltd. Gatwick Airport Horley, Surrey, RH6 0SQ (0)129 346 2180

LHR—London Heathrow City of London Animal Reception Centre City of London Guildhall, PO Box 270 London EC2P 2EJ MAN—Manchester Pets on Jets Building 300 World Freight Terminal Manchester Airport M90 5BA (0)161 489 8220

EDI-Edinburgh Airport's small animal Border Inspection Post [email protected] (0)131 317 7277

For any questions related to the U.K. Pet Travel Scheme contact DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

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Traveling with Service Animals

Service animals—defined as a dog that’s individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability—are welcome on board JetBlue flights. Find all the requirements and need-to-knows for you and your service animal to travel easily and comfortably.

Important Info

Notification, service animals in mint, countries with high risk of rabies.

Warning:  

It is a Federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representations knowingly and willfully on the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form to secure disability accommodations provided under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (18 U.S.C. § 1001).

Things to know about traveling with service animals on JetBlue:

• JetBlue accepts trained service dogs only. 
• JetBlue requires all service animals to be under the control of the handler at all times—in the airport and on the plane—and harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered. 
• The behavior of all service animals will be assessed at the airport to ensure safety requirements are met.   
• Notification of service animal travel must be completed at least 48 hours prior to your flight.
• We recommend starting this process as soon as you book your reservation. 
• If you have booked your flight within 48 hours of departure you may complete the US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at the airport with a Complaints Resolution Official. Please arrive early and we will provide the accommodation if we can do so by making reasonable efforts, without delaying the flight.
• Service animals in training are not accepted for travel on JetBlue. 
• If you are traveling with a large service animal or two service animals, your animal(s) must fit within the footprint of the seat(s) you have purchased. If your animal(s) is too large to fit in the seat(s) foot space you have purchased, you may purchase additional seat(s) to guarantee travel or wait for a flight that has sufficient empty seats available. 
• No animal is ever allowed to occupy a seat. 
• All animals must remain on the floor, unless the animal is small enough to fit fully on the traveler's lap without touching any part of the seat, tray table, or nearby travelers. 
• Upon request, assistance will be provided by a JetBlue crewmember to and from the animal relief area. Please ask an airport crewmember for assistance.  

Notification of service animal travel must be provided up to 48 hours in advance of the first originally scheduled departure time. We recommend providing notification as soon as you book your reservation. You may choose the best process for your travel from the following options. 

to streamline service animal travel notification. We recommend processing your service dog(s)’ US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form through the portal to ensure your service dog(s) will be added to your reservation prior to travel. 

If you prefer, you may mail a hard copy of a completed US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to: 

JetBlue Airways    Attn: Customer Accessibility   6322 S 3000 E  G10  Salt Lake City, UT 84121 USA 

 and Service Animal Forms Portal form approval with you when you travel.     

If your trip includes a flight on a partner airline, you'll need to contact them separately as their process may be different. 

Additional documentation may be required at the airport:   

• Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require vaccination documentation for the animal to be admitted into the destination.    
• It’s your responsibility to have the required documentation for your service animal(s).  
• If one of the two notification processes above has not been followed, the customer may bring or request the US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the airport for an onsite review/assessment with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO).

JetBlue permits service animals to accompany you in any seat except the emergency exit row, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation.   

• In our Mint seating, you will forfeit the lie-flat feature in order to accommodate your service animal on the floor.  
• If your service animal is small enough to fit fully on your lap without touching any part of the seat, the lie-flat feature may be used.   
• All animals must remain on the floor, unless the animal is small enough to fit fully on the customer's lap without touching any part of the seat, tray table or nearby travelers. 
• If you’re traveling with a large service animal or two service animals, your animal(s) must fit within the footprint of the seat(s) you have purchased and not prevent a nearby traveler from utilizing the amenities of their seat. If your animal(s) is too large to fit in the seat(s) foot space you have purchased, you may purchase additional seat(s) to guarantee travel or wait for a flight that has sufficient empty seats available. 
• JetBlue requires all service animals to be under the control of the handler at all times—in the airport and on the plane—and harnessed, leashed or otherwise tethered.

In accordance with the CDC guidelines on dog importation from certain countries, and taking into account JetBlue network limitations, JetBlue will not accept service animals on flights to or from:

• Colombia (BOG, CTG, MDE)
• Ecuador (UIO)

 for vaccinated animals.

• Dominican Republic (SDQ, STI, PUJ, POP)
• Ecuador (GYE)
• Guatemala (GUA)
• Guyana (GEO)
• Haiti (PAP)
• Honduras (SAP)

Important note: Customers may travel with service animals to the above destinations from any JetBlue city.

Dogs entering from the above-listed cities must provide the following documentation in order to be cleared for travel to the US:

• Have a valid US-issued rabies vaccine certificate OR CDC Dog Import permit
• Have proof of microchip
• Be at least 6 months old
• Be healthy upon arrival

To request advance written approval from the CDC, follow the instructions at  How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit . For other international destinations, documentation requirements vary by country. Customers are responsible for understanding each country's animal import requirements and acquiring all necessary documentation before traveling with a service animal.

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How to Fly with a Service Dog Using the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form

This article was last updated on October 18, 2023, to reflect the latest developments in service dog air travel.

If you want to board a flight with your psychiatric service dog or service dog, this article will explain the one document you need for all airlines.

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation completely updated its rules for assistance animals on flights. The new rules essentially banned emotional support animals from flights but still allow for service dogs and psychiatric service dogs to board, as long as their owners use a newly created federal form. 

If you plan to fly with a service dog or psychiatric service dog, you must now complete and submit the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form to your airline before boarding. Passengers who can complete this form can board the cabin with their assistance dogs free of charge . Service dogs are also exempt from size and weight limitations applicable to pets. They are permitted to sit on the floor and your lap if they are small enough. 

The DOT Form has raised many questions and confused service dog and psychiatric service dog owners who previously did not need to provide documentation to verify their service dogs. 

The DOT Form can seem intimidating at first, but it should be easy for most service dog owners to complete once they’re familiar with it. In this article, we will provide a clear guide and helpful tips on how to complete and use the DOT Form for traveling with your service dog or psychiatric service dog. 

How to Fill Out the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form

Basic Information

The first section of the DOT Form asks for basic information regarding the owner of the service dog and the service dog itself. For most people, the name of the handler and “user” will be the same person. 

However, there may be instances where the handler and user may be different, so two names are required. For example, a helper may be transporting a service dog on a flight to its owner. 

In this section of the Form you will also need to provide a written description of your service dog (including its weight) and name. A photo of your service dog is not necessary, and you do not need to carry around any type of ID card for your dog when you travel.

Animal Health

The animal health section of the Form requires you to confirm that your service dog has been vaccinated for rabies. You must provide the date of the last vaccination, and the vaccination must be current. You also have to verify that your service dog does not have fleas, ticks, or a disease that would endanger other people or animals. 

The last part of this section requires the name of your service dog’s veterinarian and their telephone number. The veterinarian does not need to sign the form.  

Disability Requirement 

The term “disability” has a specific meaning under the DOT’s rules. A disability eligible for a service dog can be physical or mental/emotional in nature. Whatever the health condition may be, it must substantially limit one or more major life activities. 

• Physical disabilities are conditions like visual impairment or mobility issues. 
• Psychiatric disabilities include conditions like severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or phobia. A licensed mental health professional can evaluate whether you meet the criteria for mental health disability under ACAA rules and issue a PSD letter . 

It’s important to be truthful about everything you add to this form. The DOT Form is a federal form, and there are potential penalties and consequences for knowingly making misrepresentations. You want to make sure you are accurate about whether you have an eligible disability. 

How to Get your Psychiatric Service Dog Letter from ESA Doctors

Service Dog Training Requirement

To be considered a service dog, the dog must be fully trained to perform a task or work related to the owner’s disability. The DOT Form asks for the name of the animal’s trainer, but it is completely fine to list yourself if you trained your dog. This has caused some confusion with service dog owners, as many service dog owners undertake training themselves without using a trainer. If you were responsible for training your dog, you would put your name as the trainer along with your phone number. 

The DOT’s regulations made clear that you do not need a third-party trainer or organization to train your dog or certify that they have been fully trained. The DOT specifically rejected any requirement that service dogs be trained or evaluated by any organization in creating the Form. The DOT believed this would create an undue burden on service dog owners, many of whom are capable of training their animals without outside help. 

Service dog owners also do not need any certification of the training from any organization. A common misconception is that service dogs need to be “certified” in order to be official – that is not untrue. You alone are responsible for confirming that your dog is fully trained. 

Service dogs that help with physical disabilities perform countless tasks such as guiding visually or hearing impaired people, pulling wheelchairs, and providing diabetic alerts when there are changes in the owner’s blood sugar. 

Psychiatric service dogs perform numerous tasks . They include things like: providing comfort during moments of anxiety or panic with pawing, pressure or licking, reminding handlers to take medication, interrupting psychotic episodes or dissociative events, or providing a buffer against crowds or other triggering threats. 

Animal Behavior 

In addition to attesting your service dog has been task-trained, you must confirm it has been trained to behave in public. In public areas, your service dog should be under your control at all times and not exhibit disruptive or aggressive behavior like biting, barking, jumping, or lunging at others. 

Your service dog should also not relieve itself during the flight or in the gate area (except on flights longer than 8 hours; see below). You must also attest that to your knowledge, your service dog has not behaved aggressively or caused serious injury to another person or animal. 

Other Assurance

The final section of the DOT Form requires you to recognize that your service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times while at the airport and during the flight. 

You must also acknowledge that if your service dog causes any damage, the airline can charge you for any repairs. Finally, you must acknowledge that you are signing an official DOT document. That means if you knowingly make false statements, you can be subject to fines and other penalties. Therefore, it’s important to be truthful and accurate about your health condition and service dog’s abilities. 

For Flights Longer than 8 Hours 

If you are boarding a flight that will last longer than 8 hours, you must complete an additional form, called the Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (Relief Form). 

The Relief Form is fairly straightforward to complete. It requires you to select one of two options:

• Your service dog will not relieve itself while on the aircraft; OR
• Your service dog can relieve itself during the flight without creating a health or sanitation issue. 

If you select the second option, you also have to describe how your service dog will relieve itself without creating a health and sanitation issue (for example, using a dog diaper). The Relief Form also requires you to acknowledge that you may be charged by the airline for damage caused by your service dog. 

How to Submit the DOT Forms

Most airlines have an option during booking to notify them that you will be traveling with a service dog. After booking a flight, you will submit the form either through an online link or to an email address. 

The form should be submitted at least 48 hours before your flight. If you book a flight taking off within 48 hours, you can usually provide the form in person at the gate when checking in. 

For airline-specific guides to flying with a service dog or psychiatric service dog, visit the following pages: 

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

Recent Troubles

Recently, complaints have been rising among service dog owners attempting to fly with their dogs. Airlines appear to be rejecting submissions of the DOT Form for inconsistent reasons. One news source reported that the new DOT requirements have made flying so difficult that it is making visually impaired service dog owners think twice about flying. Advocacy organizations for the blind are calling for the DOT form to be changed or eliminated.

Statistics from the DOT are consistent with these complaints, showing that service-animal-related complaints from handlers have more than doubled since the new form requirements were instituted. 

The executive director of the Harvard Law School Project on Disability also criticized the form, saying there was no clear rationale behind it, as they do not help airline staff separate fake service dogs from real ones.

Certain airlines like JetBlue, Allegiant Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Alaska Airlines have outsourced the processing of DOT forms to a third-party organization. Travelers have reported issues with having their forms rejected by these airlines for claimed errors. 

The takeaway for service dog owners is that while the new DOT regulations have certainly made air travel more difficult, they should not be discouraged. The right to travel with a service dog is fully protected, and lawmakers are already trying to come up with better solutions to verify service dog handlers for air travel. 

To avoid potential setbacks, be sure to fully complete the DOT form and double-check it. Many handlers have reported difficulty with the section that asks for the job or task the dog has been trained to perform. In response, service dog handlers should offer a clear and accurate response. But keep in mind that they do not have to share sensitive information about their condition or medical history. 

Final Thoughts

After submitting the DOT Form to the airline, you will be ready to fly with your service dog without any charge. The airline cannot request any further documentation. If you book a roundtrip flight, the airline can only ask you to complete the DOT Form once for that trip (and not for both legs of the trip). Some airlines will keep your DOT Form on file for future travel, and others require the form to be submitted each time you book a flight. 

Once at the airport and on the flight, airline staff is not allowed to ask for further documentation. They can verify you have a service dog by:

• Asking whether your dog is required because of a disability (you do not have to reveal any specifics about your condition), and asking what work or task your dog is trained to perform (but they cannot request that you have your dog demonstrate its task). 
• Observing the service dog’s behavior (i.e., is it well behaved, disruptive, or aggressive). 
• Looking at physical indicators such as harnesses and vests (but these are not necessary, nor do they qualify your dog to be a service dog). 

Remember, as a service dog owner, you have a right to privacy regarding the details of your condition. Airline staff can never ask that you have your dog demonstrate its task, which could be embarrassing or traumatic for the owner. 

While traveling, it’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your completed DOT Form with you during your travel.

Qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog Letter Online

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About the Author: The ESA Doctors writing team has extensive experience relating to disability and housing laws, mental health, animal training, and pet health. Each article is fact checked and reviewed by multiple members of our team. Many of the writers have emotional support animals and speak from real life experiences.

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27 comments.

I have a trained therapy dog but now I’m needing to travel with her and I’m looking into getting her certified for that purpose. Once I have a letter from my doctor where can I get a legit service vest? Also do I need any other documents besides the DOT, PSD letter, and health records for my dog?

To fly with a service dog, the only document you need to submit to the airline is the DOT Service Animal Form. You don’t need to get any additional certifications or letters. For a guide on how to fly with a service dog, please see this article: https://esadoctors.com/how-to-fly-with-a-dog-travel-guide/

It appears the forms are now processed online, when I submitted the form for my flight it requested my flight confirmation # which covers all four legs of my trip to and from my destination but then it only asked for the flight information for the first leg of the flight.

Do I need to submit a separate request for each leg of the flight?

We recommend contacting the specific airline for clarification on this – each airline handles these requests a bit differently.

The author of this article apparently did not do his/her homework as he/she did not read the US DOT ruling. The DOT has not banned ESA’s. The DOT ruling indicates that airlines are not required to consider ESAs as service animals. They left the decision up to the individual airlines; essentially gave them the green light to exclude ESA from the service dog category.

The article states that the DOT “essentially” banned ESAs, since shortly after the new rules every U.S. airline ceased to recognize emotional support animals. In addition, ESAs were never categorized as a type of service dog – they have always been entirely separate categories of assistance animals with different requirements.

Hello, Can you please provide a link where I can find something from DOT re: “The DOT’s regulations made clear that you do not need a third-party trainer or organization to train your dog or certify that they have been fully trained.”

I want to see how they themselves address that you can put your own name as a dog trainer.

Thanks so much!!

The DOT carefully considered whether self-training for service dogs should be allowed and they determined it should. Many service dog owners train their own dogs and do not need the assistance of a professional trainer which can add considerable cost to the process of qualifying for a service dog. That is why you are allowed to list yourself as the trainer of a service dog. You can find the DOT’s rules at this link: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/service-animal-final-rule

Do you need to fill out a form every year. How long is it good for?

It depends on the airline – some will keep your form on file, others will require you to submit a new form each time.

I am currently having the same problem with Allegiant. The ticket agent at the airport told me she saw on the screen that they denied my service dog because I trained him. She tried everything on the phone to convince them the dog was a service dog by his behavior at her counter for the 45 minutes she tried to convince them he was a real service dog. They would not respond to my emails with the DOT form which I submitted three times. I would get the computer generated, “we got your email” but that was it. I am taking further action by filing a DOT complaint against them. I had to pay the $50 and crate him. I don’t care about the money, but he can’t do his job in a crate. However, the money might be an issue for someone who doesn’t have it. I will never fly Allegiant again, even if the trip was free!!!

Anyone have issue with the date at the bottom of the form? SWA requires a new form filled out — with the exact date of travel only at the bottom.

Some airlines will keep the form on file for future travel. Unfortunately, others require that a new form be completed each time for travel.

Has anyone had problems with American Airlines accepting their DOT form with themselves being listed as the dogs trainer?

Our service dog was also rejected by Allegiant Airlines and we had to cancel our trip. They ask you to fill out the DOT form and send it in at least 48 hours before the flight. One of the questions on the form has to do with the name of the trainer and their phone number. If they cannot get in touch with the trainer…you will be denied. (Even if the training company went out of business during Covid, like ours did). This is a major issue for disabled travelers on Allegiant.

We’re very sorry to hear about the trouble you had.

Allegiant airlines is terrible I had a panic attack because they denied my service animal I paid so we could get on plane my panic attack got worse with out getting into detail the flight attendant was so kind and allowed me to take my service animal out of crate she seen my service animal jump on my chest for entire flight and calm me down the attendant agree she was a service animal I will not fly with allegiant airlines anymore it happened 3 times can anyone recommend a good airline I now have ptsd with airports

Jack, yes you can travel with a service dog to and from the UK. Just be sure to coordinate with the Heathrow Animal Reception Center and comply with all the UK Government vaccines and documentation.

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Department of Transportation Service Animal Travel Form

Dot service animal form.

• Please complete all fields below. Upon submission, you will receive an email with the completed PDF copy of the required DOT Travel Form. Warning: It is a Federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representations knowingly and willfully on this form to secure disability accommodations provided under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (18 U.S.C. § 1001).
• Service Animal Handler's Name *
• Service Animal Handler's Email *
• Animal's Name *
• Animal Color / Markings *
• Animal Breed *
• Animal Weight (lbs) *
• Date Rabies Vaccine Administered * MM slash DD slash YYYY
• Date Rabies Vaccine Expires * MM slash DD slash YYYY
• Veterinarian's Name *
• Veterinarian Phone Number *
• Name of Service Animal Trainer * Insert name or organization that trained your service animal. NOTE: If you trained your service animal yourself, insert your name
• Trainer's Phone Number * If you trained your service animal yourself, enter your own phone number
• My Service Animal will not need to relieve itself while on the aircraft
• My Service Animal can relieve itself without posing a health/sanitation issue
• Describe how your Service Animal will refrain from relieving itself, or relieve itself without posing a health/sanitation issue (e.g., the use of a dog diaper, animal will be taken to bathroom prior to arrival at airport, animal can hold it in for duration of flight, etc) *
• Consent * I am signing an official document of the U.S. Department of Transportation. My answers are true to the best of my knowledge I understand that if I knowingly make false statements on this document, I can be subject to fines and other penalties. My Service Animal has been trained to do work or perform tasks to assist me with my disability. My Service Animal has been trained to behave in a public setting. I understand that a properly trained dog remains under the control of its handler. I understand that a properly trained dog does not act aggressively by biting, jumping, lunging, or injuring other animals. It also does not urinate or defecate on the aircraft or in the gate area. I understand that if my service animal shows that it has not been properly trained to behave in public, then the airline may treat my service animal as a pet by charging a pet fee and requiring my service animal to be transported in a pet carrier. To the best of my knowledge, my service animal has not behaved aggressively or caused serious injury to another person/dog. I understand that my service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft. I understand that if my service animal causes damage, then the airline may charge me for the cost to repair it, as long as the airline would also charge passengers without disabilities to prepare the similar kinds of damage.
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Here’s what to know if you are traveling abroad with your dog

FILE - A traveler pulls his dog in a wheeled carrier at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. If you are bringing a dog into the U.S. — whether if you are returning from a trip overseas with Rover, visiting the U.S., or adopting a dog from abroad — you have to follow a set of new rules released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, designed to help prevent the spread of rabies. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)

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If you are bringing a dog into the U.S. — whether if you are returning from a trip overseas with Rover, visiting the U.S., or adopting a dog from abroad — you have to follow a set of new rules designed to help prevent the spread of rabies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last updated these rules in 1956, when far fewer dogs came to the U.S. from other countries, officials say. About 1 million dogs now enter the U.S. every year.

There are additional restrictions if the dog has been in many countries where rabies is common. You can find the list of those countries on the CDC website .

The new rules go into affect Aug. 1. There’s a checklist on the CDC website .

Here’s what to know about about the rules:

— Dogs have to be healthy and at least 6 months old when they arrive in the U.S.

— The dog must have a microchip implanted under their skin, which contains identifier information.

— A CDC import form must be filled out in advance, and include a photo of the dog.

— Proof of rabies vaccination is required only if the dog was in a high-risk country in the past six months.

— For dogs vaccinated in the U.S., a certificate endorsed by the Agriculture Department is required.

— For dogs vaccinated outside the U.S., a certificate of vaccination is required along with a blood test, and the animal has to be examined at a CDC-registered facility on arrival in the U.S.

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What to know

• Plan ahead of time if including pets in your travel plans.
• Microchip your pet and make sure your contact information is updated.
• Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.
• Check regulations and required documentation for your destination before traveling.

Preparing for travel with pets

Owning a pet can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and explore new places. You may want to take your pet with you when you travel to new places. Traveling can sometimes be stressful, both for you and your pets. Preparation can help prevent stress and keep you and your pets safe and healthy.

Before traveling, properly identify your pet in case you get separated during your trip. Make sure your pet is microchipped for identification and keep your contact and pet information updated.

Keeping pets safe in the car

Having a smooth and safe road trip with your pet requires preparation and planning, especially if driving long distances.

• To prepare your pet, take them on a series of short drives and gradually increase the amount of time spent in the car.
• Before traveling across state lines, check the requirements for bringing pets along.
• If your pet is riding on the seat, keep them in the back seat in a harness attached to the seat buckle to prevent injury. Allowing pets to roam around the car or ride with their head outside the window can be dangerous.
• If your pet is kept in their crate, check that your pet can stand, sit, lie down, and turn around while inside the crate. Also, make sure the crate is well ventilated. Secure the crate so it won't slide or shift when the car stops.
• Bring plenty of water, food, a bowl, leash, waste bags, grooming supplies, medication and first-aid, and any travel documents including proof of rabies vaccination. Feed your pet 3 to 4 hours before leaving on your trip to prevent car sickness or vomiting.
• Make frequent stops to allow dogs to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs.
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. On hot days, temperatures can rise quickly within minutes and can cause death. In cold weather, animals left in cars can freeze to death.

Keeping pets safe on airplanes

Traveling with pets by plane takes careful preparation and planning and could also be costly. If you must bring your pet on a flight, here are suggestions to keep your pet safe:

Weeks before your trip

• Book a direct flight when possible to decrease the chances of your pet being separated from you during extreme weather or layovers.
• Check your pet's vaccinations to make sure they are up to date. Get a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of your departure. For international travel , additional planning and healthcare requirements may be needed. Research the requirements for pets for your destination country as well as for the United States. When returning to the United States from abroad, your dog must meet all US entry requirements upon return .
• For animals stowed in the plane's cargo area, purchase a US Department of Agriculture-approved shipping crate. The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, and turn around in comfortably.

Before heading to the airport

• Line the cargo crate with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels—to absorb potential accidents. Place a small dish of water in the crate. Check the crate door is securely closed but not locked, so airline staff can open it in case of an emergency.
• Your pet's crate should have proper identification if shipped as cargo. Mark "live animal" on the crate, and include your name, cell phone, and destination phone number.

At the airport

Before departure or after arrival, give your dog a potty break before securing it in the crate for travel.

On the plane

If hand-carried, never place your pet in an overhead bin. Pets must be secured in their crates below the seat in front of you in accordance with airline policies.

International travel with pets‎

Prevent injury and illness when traveling.

Practice safe and healthy habits to prevent your pet from getting sick or hurt on trips. Some diseases pets may be at risk for while traveling include rabies, leptospirosis, campylobacteriosis, and diseases spread by mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks like Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Some of these diseases can spread between people and animals.

• Always supervise pets while traveling and on adventures.
• Keep your pet in a carrier or on a leash.
• Don't allow pets to interact with other animals, especially street dogs, stray animals or wild animals.
• Don't let pets swim in, play in, or drink stagnant water or water that looks discolored, smells bad, has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface, or has dead fish or other animals washed up on its shore or beach. Some bodies of water contain harmful algal blooms that can make people and pets sick.
• Check pets for ticks after outdoor outings and talk to your veterinarian about use of a regular preventive treatment for fleas, ticks, and parasites.

First aid when traveling

Keep basic first-aid supplies for your pet in your car. You can use a travel-sized first-aid kit for your pet on flights.

• Keep the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the National Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA (1-888-426-4435), and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in the area where you will be visiting, easily accessible.
• Perform a daily health check on your pet when away from home to assess their physical and behavioral changes. If you have concerns about your pet, contact your veterinarian or a local veterinarian.
• Always remember: follow up any first aid administered to your pet with immediate veterinary care. First-aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until veterinary treatment is available.

More Information

• Pet care (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Traveling with Your Dog or Cat (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Travel Safety Tips (ASPCA )
• Plane Talk: Traveling with Animals – U.S. Department of Transportation

Healthy Pets, Healthy People

Diseases can spread between animals and people. Learn how to stay healthy around pets and other animals.

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Traveling With Dogs? The CDC Releases New Dog Import Rules For U.S. Entry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new rules for dogs entering or returning to the United States. 

Natasha D • May 15, 2024

In early May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced  new rules for dogs entering or returning to the United States. 

Before the end of summer, all dogs traveling to the U.S. must have a completed CDC Dog Import Form and be implanted with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip. In addition to appearing “healthy upon arrival,” all dogs entering the U.S. must be at least six months old. 

Moreover, dog owners must provide documentation regarding where their canine pet traveled within the six months before their U.S. entry. Otherwise, they’ll have to prove the dog received an up-to-date rabies vaccine issued in the U.S.

More guidelines apply depending on your pet’s vaccine and travel history . Regarding the latter, the CDC needs to know if your pet visited a “country with high risk” of dog rabies or a place considered “dog rabies-free/low-risk.”

According to NBC News, the CDC’s  updated rules  also apply to “breeders or rescue groups” transporting dogs into the U.S. The governmental agency’s latest regulations adjust those  established in 2021 .

Which Dogs Do The New Rules Apply To?

The new rules apply to all dogs entering or returning to the U.S. The CDC provides checklists to review before traveling to ensure you and your pet are prepared.

When Do The New Rules Go Into Effect?

The travel guidelines go into effect beginning August 1, 2024. 

What Does The CDC Dog Import Form Require?

To complete this form, you must include an updated photo of your dog’s face and body. The paperwork also requires the dog to arrive in the U.S. at one of the 18 airports with an authorized CDC port health station .

The CDC advises filling out the form two to 10 days before traveling with your dog. The form will become available starting July 15.

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What B.C. travellers need to know about new rules for bringing dogs into the U.S.

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Canadians with dogs who travel to the U.S. will need to make a new digital pal: the  DogBot .

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created new regulations for all dogs arriving in the U.S., including Canadian canines (except wild wolves, who famously ignore borders and all human laws). 

For those learning the new regulations, a DogBot is a digital tool to help guide people to the right forms.

"If you don’t follow CDC’s rules, your dog won’t be allowed to enter the United States," states the CDC's website. "If denied entry, your dog will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense."

Though the term the CDC uses is "import," the new rules apply to anyone: i.e. going to Bellingham for gas and groceries, flying to Hawaii for a destination wedding with the family pooch in tow, or moving to the U.S. with a dog.

The rules apply to all dogs, "including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning."

What are the new rules for bringing a dog into the U.S.?

Prior to the rule change, to bring a pet or service dog into the U.S. a simple statement about the dog's travel past was needed to determine eligibility for entrance, to make sure it hadn't been to a country deemed to have a high risk of dog rabies . The rules were not necessarily enforced by border agents, and dog owners may have made many trips without being asked to show paperwork. 

Canada is considered free of canine rabies by the CDC.

The new rules have several requirements. One is the dog's age; it must be six months or older.

The dog also must have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip implanted in it, and documented.

A free form called a CDC Dog Import Form will need to be filled out; they won't be available until July 15 . Once it is available it should be filled out two to 10 days before arriving in the U.S. (though it could be done at the border crossing). The form requires a clear and recent photo of the dog showing its face and body.

Once the form is sent in, a receipt will be sent back. The receipt needs to be printed out and kept with whomever is travelling with the dog.

For dogs arriving from Canada that haven't been to a high-risk country, a few things are needed . Dog owners will also need one of the following forms  for each animal, which will likely require a trip to a veterinarian and are only valid for 30 days:

• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip  form
• Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination  form
• Valid USDA export certificate
• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country  form
• A "foreign export certificate" from a country that shows the dog is at least six months old, has an ISO microchip, has been certified by a veterinarian and medical records.

When arriving at the border the dog must be visibly healthy; dogs carrying a disease contagious to humans will be turned back.

On the CDC's website a simple digital tool called "DogBot " is there to help people figure out exactly what is needed for their dog. There's also a checklist  Canadian travellers to the U.S. can use to prepare for a border crossing.

Coming to Canada with a dog

Currently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which deals with people travelling with pets, says it's reviewing the new regulations from the CDC.

Right now, people bringing dogs into Canada need a valid rabies certificate  (for the dog).

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