As the medical community has begun to recognize the value of emotional support animals, people all over the country that suffer from emotional challenges have been freed suffering when out in public. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, ESA’s can accompany a patient onto the cabin of an airplane and in a rental unit that does not otherwise allow animals on the property. Furthermore, in both cases, the airline and landlord are not allowed to charge the patient an extra fee for the use of an ESA.

In January 2021, the Department of Transportation (DOT) came out with a new final ruling that amends the Air Carrier Access Act. The new rule states that emotional support animals are no longer a protected class of animal and airlines are no longer required to allow them on flights. Service Dogs, which are animals that are trained to perform a specific task, are allowed on flights by passengers are now required to submit a form before flying stating that the dog has been trained, is in good health, and can properly perform a specific task for its owner.

The ESA Registration of America would like to commemorate Bretagne, the last of the 9/11 search and rescue dog who passed away this week.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at ESA Of America! We know many of you will be traveling over the holiday season which means your Emotional Support Animal will also be along for the trip. However, the two things that don't always mix well are holidays and dogs.