Make sure you’re up-to-date on all the rules and regulations around travel with your pet! Just this year, Delta revoked a rule that animals could not accompany passengers on flights 8 hours or longer, with the exception of Pitbulls.
“Flying and traveling stirs immense anxiety in some people, and leaving home without their Emotional Support Animal or pet can be traumatizing. It’s great that Delta and other airlines continue to recognize the importance of allowing travel on their aircrafts.” – Prairie Conlon, LMHP and Clinical Director at CertaPet
While the debate wages on over whether Emotional Support Animal’s are considered legitimate, CertaPet emphasizes that their clients must complete a clinical evaluation, as well as a therapy session, before a licensed mental health professional determines whether they need an ESA letter. CertaPet therapists only write ESA letters for dogs, cats, and rabbits. And in fact, CertaPet sees a ~25% increase in the need for an Emotional Support Animal during the holidays. Most airlines charge a fee ($100+) for small, regular pets (non-ESA’s) to fly with you as a carry-on. ESA’s are protected by law and require no additional fee to travel as a carry-on.
