Comments on: New DOT Rules for Emotional Support Animals: What Every ESA Owner Should Know

By: Kim Willis

Kim Willis — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 21:01:33 +0000

I would suspect this has something to do with money. During COVID the airlines lost big time. Charging for ESA’s as one part of their recouping loses. Also due to COVID there are a lot more that need ESA’s, so there will be an increase from all this anxiety our govt. is causing… or one we are allowing them to cause.

Owners need to fight for this. When possible if an airline does not let your ESA fly free, tell them they lose you flying and you will choose another travel path. Let that message get to the higher ups too.
If all ESA owners do that, then they will see the new rule is of naught. Support the ESA need or lose the money from the human traveler.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 13:50:15 +0000

It is literally a detriment to the health of a person not to be allowed to have their ESA by their side. This law really needs to be worked out to benefit those in need.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 01:02:08 +0000

Now you can’t even pay to get your dog in the cabin. I was told my ESA would have to fly in cargo because he’s too large. He’s 25lbs and fits under the seat. American Airlines cutoff weight is under 20lbs. This new law is awful. Way too extreme!! Something must be done.

By: Charles Barnes

Charles Barnes — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:21:28 +0000

Without advocacy, nothing changes. My wife travels frequently to LA to support our autistic daughter. She travels with her ESA a golden Retriever. She flies first class and purchased an extra seat to ensure she isn’t a bother to anyone. The dog typically falls asleep for the duration of the flight. Beyond that, he’s extremely well trained and receives praise from passengers and flight attendants alike.
We don’t ev n know how we can live our life with the new rules.

By: John Ogren

John Ogren — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:22:47 +0000

In reply to Catherine Jacobson. Just another way big business with the help of lobbyists can find a way to try to recoup some of their losses by charging for an emotional support animal.

By: Catherine Jacobson

Catherine Jacobson — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 19:36:34 +0000

There are so many lonely people in the world who have no one. A ESA is there only companion that enables them to cope and have a reason to carry on with life. This ESA companion allows them to look forward to pleasures such as travel while keeping them calm and relieving anxiety. Many people I am sure would be willing to pay a fee just to be able to travel with them in the cabin. There are many other ways that theses airlines could of changed their policies and not just banned this important service for people who genuinely need it. I am just appalled that they have carried this out. They obviously do not accept or care that there are people who desperately need this service and therefore have just disbanded it. I am one of those people who needed this service and that is why I can’t stop writing about it. Catherine.

By: Catherine Jacobson

Catherine Jacobson — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 16:04:52 +0000

My husband died two years ago and I lost my dog to cancer 3 months after he died. It has been a horrendous past 3 years in dealing with so many huge issues. My anxiety was blown out of all proportion and I was miserable. That is when I decided to have another dog. I trained him and he has been an absolute treasure to me. He calms me down and distracts me when feeling low. He has improved my mental health well being by 90 percent. I have a letter from my counselor stating I am being treated for anxiety. Having had to deal with Covid and then to top it all they have discontinued this vital service for people like me is absolutely devastating. I do agree there should be changes but I feel you have totally neglected the rights of people like me who genuinely need services like this and have trained dogs who don’t bite and can behave. I can’t tell you how badly this has affected people like me. You should be ashamed and obviously have not taken into consideration the suffering you have caused.

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 18:12:05 +0000

In reply to julia.

We’re sorry to hear about your experience. There are still some airlines accepting ESAs, you may find this link helpful: https://esadoctors.com/airlines-allowing-emotional-support-animals/

By: ashley h

ashley h — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 03:44:00 +0000

It’s disgusting what some companies will do for money. This isn’t about keeping untrained animals off of flights (they would need to ban half of these people’s children to make that argument effective). This is about finding another way to make a buck. It’s gross and greedy.

By: K. Hahna

K. Hahna — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 03:13:34 +0000

I understand that if your ESA is not behaved it should not be allowed to be on the plane. But what about the rest of us that have well behaved ESA and have been on meds for years.. This is not fair. I cant even bring my ESA because he is 32lbs. Who can help us.?