As international air travel opens up, assistance dogs and their partners must not be left grounded.

You probably don’t know it, but today is International Civil Aviation Day, an official United Nations event to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to social and economic development. After two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, the global airline industry is cautiously getting back to business as usual. Many of us are already making plans for a long overdue holiday in the sun or visit to catch up with loved ones.

But for many assistance dogs’ users, air travel can be more hassle than it’s worth. A seemingly endless list of obstacles from dogs not being allowed in the cabin to the bureaucratic nightmare of international pet passports seem designed to exclude assistance dogs and their partners from enjoying the same access as the rest of us.

The challenges are compounded by the different laws and regulations in different countries, meaning the departure airport may be assistance dog-friendly, whilst the return home can be fraught with difficulty. Quite apart from the practical disruption it brings, being refused permission to board can be a very humiliating and stressful experience.

As the world’s leading standards-setter and accreditation body for training assistance dogs, Assistance Dogs International (ADI) believes that assistance dogs should be trained to the highest possible standards. This not only provides the best support for their users but ensures the dogs are safe and well behaved in public - including on transport to and from the airport, in the airport itself and on the plane.

ADI has long campaigned for better access to air travel for assistance dogs and their users - and we are proud that we have had some notable successes.

• In 2021, following discussions with  ADI and other organizations, the US federal rules for flying with service animals were updated to exclude “all non-task-trained animals, such as emotional support animals.” ADI members in North America worked with industry group Airlines for America (A4A) to ensure accessible reservations and travel for passengers with disabilities. Following a spate of high-profile cases involving passengers attempting to fly with ‘emotional support animals’ - including peacocks, monkeys and even an alligator - US carriers may now legally refuse to board any animal except a specially trained service dog.
• In Europe, the vast majority of airlines will only accept dogs certified by ADI or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
• In the UK, airlines are entitled to ask for evidence that a guide or assistance dog is trained by an ADI or IGDF member program. It’s a similar story in Australia, where the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) specifies that airlines must accept dogs only if they “meet or exceed the minimum standards” set by ADI.
• Most airlines do not charge for ADI certified assistance dogs to fly, and in some countries - such as the UK - this is mandated by law. However, to be on the safe side, ADI members such as Guide Dogs in the UK advise assistance dogs users to inform the airline, tour operator or booking agent booking the flight at least 48 hours before flying.

However, progress continues to be patchy, and in some cases, regulations have been weakened. It is regrettable that the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) recently removed the definition of a recognized assistance dog from its regulations, which had previously said that an assistance dog had to be trained by a school recognized by IGDF or ADI. The amended regulations simply refer to a “recognized assistance dog” without defining it - thereby adding to the confusion.

The lack of any universally accepted legal definition of an assistance dog (referred to as service dogs in some countries) makes it difficult for airlines to distinguish between a genuine assistance dog and a therapy or emotional support animal. Introduced in 2021, ADI’s digital ID card offers quick and easy identification and verified ADI certification, making it easier for airlines to spot fake service dogs and refuse them access.

We all know what a hassle airports can be - check-in queues, security checks and long walks to the gate make it a stressful experience at the best of times. For assistance dog users, just getting to the gate can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, many airports employ special assistants to guide people with disabilities - both seen and unseen - through the terminal. Most will have a designated ‘service animal relief area’ where the dog can relieve itself before boarding.

As the international civil aviation industry celebrates its own special day, I’m heartened by the progress that ADI and others have made in fighting for better access to air travel for people with disabilities. But there’s still a long way to go - and we won’t rest until assistance dog users enjoy a fair and equal air travel experience.

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Chris Diefenthaler is the Executive Director for Assistance Dogs International (ADI), who works with the international and regional boards to oversee the daily operations, provide information to the public about the high standards developed by ADI and helps direct potential assistance dog consumers to the appropriate member organization that can meet their needs.

From my experience of twenty-five years managing a variety of nonprofit organizations including as an executive director of an assistance dog organization, I have a strong understanding of the issues and challenges facing assistance dog organizations. I really enjoy providing support to our members by organizing educational conferences/seminars, providing networking opportunities and sharing best practices and information to continually improve our member’s programs and services. I have a black lab, Tori, that has a wonderful sweet temperament and an ornery orange tabby cat, Scout. I enjoy outdoor activities with my husband, playing tennis, biking and walking at our local parks.  

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