Service dogs are a necessity for a number of people who fly. But as we all have heard or even seen, the trend over the last several years of airlines allowing "emotional support animals" has gone to lengths that have frustrated many - and the airlines were required to allow almost any animal that a passenger claims is needed for their emotional support. It went from dogs to cats - and then some people were bringing on their emotional support snake, ferret, birds... I've heard some crazy stories from friends of mine.
Well, a new proposal by the U.S. Department of Transportation is being brought that would no longer require airlines to accept emotional support animals. They would still be required to accept service animals - meaning dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability, according to a USDOT spokesperson.
When it comes to emotional support animals, the airlines will get to choose whether or not to allow them.
You can find out more and comment on the proposal on the United States Department of Transportation website.
I, for one, welcome this news. But I realize not all may agree, so feel free to leave your comments below!