I know its been a big topic of discussion on how safe the airlines are to ship dogs and puppies. I am a corporate travel agent so I see all kinds of airline info come across my email. This one caug…

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I know its been a big topic of discussion on how safe the airlines are to ship dogs and puppies.  I am a corporate travel agent so I see all kinds of airline info come across my email.  This one caught my eye today...  I am wondering when they will add more breeds, etc.... its an interesting move on Delta's part just banning bulldogs but I can see why....

 

http://www.thedogfiles.com/2011/04/11/bulldogs-banned-on-all-delta-...#

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It would be interesting to see a 60 Minutes undercover report on an animal's journey with an airline. They could have hidden cameras on the kennel or on the dog to show how they are treated and what they experience.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I flew Myla here and being uninformed about all that could happen on the way I didn't think it about it that much, I begged my DH to let me have the GPS and I would drive there (Iowa from Wisconsin) and he said that would cost just as much so in the end we flew her here at 8 weeks. This may sound stupid but we had no idea HOW they were flown here (cargo) I say they should only fly inder the seats on board, if I knew any better at the time I would have never done it that way and I'm sure he would let me get her. My fault for not researching it more, we even went to the wrong part of the airport and they said UH that would have flown cargo and you need to go across the street by the FED-EX cargo area where a guy in a dingy little office was holding her crate by his desk because we were late. I FELT AWFUL and very naive when we left there, she got snuggled to death in the car because I'm sure she was scared to death. I would never fly with them now either I would board them first in a the bed and biscuit suite on our way there.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I would not want to abuse this either. But I WILL say that I do believe that Neely has helped my in situations that I USED to get upset or stressed and let things bother me. I would get so upset with injustice in sports we LOVE hockey and ball. But you run into coaches and other officials that are in minor sports so that they have power that they can't have while in their own lives. These people aren't worried about teaching kids just winning or showing their power off while mistreating younger people. I would often voice my concerns for either team members as I do feel it takes a village to raise a child. Others would agree with me but always counted on me to be the voice or the person to bring attention to it. They also let the chips fall on me when all was said and done. Neely has allowed me to focus on him during the games and meetings so that while I am petting him I find I don't lose it. I have more control of myself and am able to say the same things and not get as heated when I am not getting positive responses. So I do believe he is a therapy dog for me. I guess I SHOULD have started this as another whole discussion since it is a bit off of the airline topic. Likely others feel the same way with their doodles.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for keeping us updated.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lorraine, I don't know if your laws are the same in Canada. In the U.S. a dog must be a "service" dog as opposed to a "therapy" dog to have full access under the ADA (American with Disabilities Act).  And therefore be able to accompany their person everywhere. I don't know if an airline would accept just a note from a doctor or not.

A service dog has been trained to provide a service for a person with a disability while a therapy dog provides comfort and affection to people in hospitals, etc.  Also, under the ADA it is illegal for anyone to question your disability. So no one may ask if you are really disabled and if your dog is really a service dog or not. Some people abuse this of course to be able to take their dogs with them everywhere.  You can buy vests and patches on line that state that your dog is a service dog which makes it fairly easy.

It would be great to have your doodle fly in the cabin with you! Maybe you can just buy him a ticket for a seat?

[Lorraine Bromley]

Thanks for the idea of having a note saying your dog is a therapy dog. I do have a genetic disorder that causes me pain and he does relieve that pain when I have him to love. This is a therapy dog is it not. I will definitely look into that before I make plans to fly again.They may ask for a specific training facility degree on airlines though? Worth trying as a 75 pd dog just won't go under the seat, He would lay under our feet though.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I agree with Ricki. I don't think I would ever fly my dogs or puppies anywhere unless they could sit with me. Vern would never fit under the seat...LOL. There are too many uncontrollable factors flying them in the cargo space and you are at the mercy of the employees handling your dog/puppy. I have seen how they handled my mom's new luggage, I would never take a chance on a live animal.

[Jodi and Stella]

When Stella came home I flew out to pick her up and carried her on the plane with me. I flew Southwest and for a fee you can carry on a small pet in a soft crate. She was right at my feet partially under the seat in front of me. It worked out well.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I HAVEN"T worked in the travel industry but I am tainted too. There are so many factors involved, the turbulence level, the temperature, the person who is handling them (dog hater??) etc. Even though the dog appears fine when they get to you how can you know what they went through along the way?  Animals do die traveling in cargo so something is happening that is extremely stressful/life threatening.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Lol you have to forgive me being in the travel industry for so long has tainted me. I just hear so many stories about how poorly the airlines treat humans I just can't see them caring more for an animal. They are all the lesser of the evils ifmyou ask me.