Traveling with your service animal: practical advice from the TSA

Have you decided to travel with your faithful assistance animal? Excellent idea ! But how can you make sure your TSA trip goes smoothly? Don’t panic, I’m here to give you all the practical advice you need to make your adventure a real success. Follow the guide and set off peacefully towards new discoveries with your four-legged companion!

Pre-flight preparation #

Traveling with a service animal may seem stressful, but with the right preparation, everything can go smoothly. Before flying, it is crucial to check that your animal meets the criteria of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). According to this law, only dogs are accepted as service animals by airlines in the United States. Make sure your dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of a disabled person.

Reservations and documentation #

When you book your ticket, inform the airline that you are traveling with a service animal. Also check the company’s specific policies regarding animal service. Have all the necessary documents, such as your dog’s training certifications, ready. Although these documents are not legally required, they can make the process easier.

Going through TSA security #

Going through security checks can be a source of anxiety for many travelers, even more so if they are traveling with a service animal. Fortunately, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) offers special Standard or PreCheck lines where you and your dog can spend together. If one of you triggers an alarm, additional checks will be necessary.

Here are some tips to simplify the process:

Use equipment with little or no metal such as collars, harnesses and leashes.
Keep your dog’s medications on hand and inform the TSA that they are intended forservice animal.
Do not touch your dog until the inspection is completed. You will never be separated from your animal.

Other security considerations #

Before going through security, make sure your service animal did his business. If no animal relief area is available after screening, you may need to leave the security area, which means going through security again.

It’s good to know that questions about your animal service may be asked, such as:

What type of tasks or functions do you animal does it accomplish for you?
How does your animal Was he trained for these tasks?

Finally, although it is not legally required, you can choose to provide your dog with a jacket or badge identifying its status.service animal to avoid additional questions.