Air Canada Psychiatric Service Dog and Emotional Support Animal Policy Guide

Air travel with a psychiatric service dog and emotional support animal can be challenging in Air Canada. You might be at the airport waiting for your flight when airport officials restrict your animal, or you might be on the plane with your PSD, and the flight crew denies your special seat request. All these possibilities can affect you badly.

That’s why you need to familiarize yourself with Air Canada’s pet policies and procedures regarding psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals before the travel date.

In this guide, we’ll go over Air Canada’s pet policy so you can ensure a comfortable and memorable flight. We’ll provide all the information you need for a smooth travel experience.

Is A Psychiatric Service Dog Allowed To Fly With Me?

Air Canada allows psychiatric service dogs or PSDs to accompany you in the cabin free of cost. According to Air Canada guidelines, service dogs must be trained to perform tasks that benefit your disabilities.

Moreover, your service dog must have been trained by a person or organization specializing in service dog training for domestic, international, and Caribbean flights. Your PSD must always remain under your control during travel and be harnessed or tethered if not in its kennel.

How Many Psychiatric Service Dogs Can Travel With Me?

Seating Requirements For Service Dogs

What Are The Documentation Requirements for Service Dogs at Air Canada?

Flights to the U.S.

• US DoT Service Animal Air Transportation Form,
• US DoT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form for flights of 8 hours or more.

All other flights

• Air Canada Service Animal Form.

NOTE: When you submit your forms, you must also provide a document issued by an organization or person specializing in service dog training. This document should attest that the organization or person has individually trained the service dog. Furthermore, you may also bring your PSD letter to verify your legitimate need for a psychiatric service dog.

What Is A PSD Letter, And How Do You Get It?

A Psychiatric Service Dog Letter is a signed letter from a licensed mental healthcare professional stating that the client has a mental or emotional disability and can benefit from having a psychiatric service dog. It includes details such as the professional’s credentials, the client’s diagnosis, and the therapeutic role of the psychiatric service dog. This letter is crucial for legal recognition and access to public and traveling accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To get a PSD letter, connect with a licensed healthcare professional to discuss your mental health issues and how a service animal might serve your needs. If they believe you have a qualifying medical condition, you will get a signed PSD letter documenting your need for a psychiatric service dog.

With Fast ESA Letter, you will get your PSD letter from home. We will connect you with an LMHP (licensed mental healthcare professional) who will evaluate your needs and provide you with a PSD letter.

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed In Air Canada?

What Are The Document Requirements For Emotional Support Animals In Air Canada?

As per the pet travel policy in Air Canada, submit the following documents at least 96 hours before your flight:

• An Emotional Support Dog Request – Acknowledgement and Confirmation of Behaviour form.
• A Medical/Mental Health Professional Form completed by a licensed medical or mental health professional in good standing with their governing body. They must verify that they are treating you for a mental health condition and that your ESA is a part of your treatment plan.
• A Veterinary Health Form states that your emotional support dog doesn’t seem to have any contagious or infectious diseases, fleas, or ticks that could harm other animals or the general public’s health. It must also attest to the dog’s good behavior and its ability to fit comfortably in an animal carrier under the seat.

What Are The Pet Carrier Requirements In Air Canada?

Maximum carrier size allowed

• Hard-sided: Length 55cm* Width 40cm* Height 23cm Or Length 21.5 in* Width 15.5 in * Height 9 in,
• Soft-sided: Length: 55 cm * Width: 40 cm * Height: 27 cm Or Length: 21.5 in * Width: 15.5 in * Height: 10.5 in.

Pet carriers that are more significant than permitted can still be transported in the checked baggage compartment. However, they must not exceed 45 kg (100 lb) in weight or 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions (length + width + height). For information on the fees for transporting large pet carriers, please contact the Air Canada Cargo helpline.

There are exceptions to the general size or type of pet carrier you can bring on board for specific aircraft and cabin types. The exceptions are as follows.

• Airbus 223, 319, 320, 321, and Boeing 7M8: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 40 cm (15.75 in) * Height 20 cm (7.75 in),
• Boeing 77W and 77L: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 38 cm (15 in) * Height 21 cm (8.25 in),
• Boeing 788: Length 35 cm (14.50 in) * Width 40 cm (16 in) * Height 20 cm (8 in),
• Boeing 789: Length 43 cm (17 in) * Width 40 cm (16 in) * Height 20 cm (8 in),
• Business Class of Airbus 333 and Boeing 777, 77L, 77W, 788, 789 (Soft side carrier only): Length 41 cm (16 in) * Width 21 cm (8 in) * Height 28 cm (11 in).

How To Fly On Air Canada With A Psychiatric Service Dog Or Emotional Support Animal?

You must contact the Air Canada help desk and share your traveling requirements with PSD or ESA. While talking with the airlines, provide the details about your animal, such as breed and size/weight of your pet and carrier size, to ensure they qualify for in-cabin travel. They will also ask you to submit the documents. After that, if all goes well under Air Canada’s pet policy, they will register your psychiatric service dog or emotional support animal.

You must register your PSD 8 hours and ESA 96 hours before your reservation and arrive at the airport an extra 30-45 minutes before your flight. It ensures that all necessary arrangements can be made for a smooth travel experience and allows sufficient time for additional check-in procedures related to traveling with a pet.

Traveling Tips With Your PSD Or ESA From Air Canada

• Feed your pet four to six hours before the trip to avoid any discomfort during travel.
• Leave the dish in the carrier so the staff can provide water during an extended wait before or after the flight.
• Always remove your pet’s leash before sending it to its carrier.
• Do not lock the kennel door, as Airline staff may need to access your pet in an emergency.
• Medicine like Tranquilizers are not recommended.
• Cover the bottom of the carrier with a soft material or a blanket.
• Provide water for your pet just before travel and empty the water dish when you check in so your pet doesn’t have a wet and uncomfortable journey.

Is Air Canada Responsible For Taking Care Of My Animal?

Contact The Airlines For More Information.

• 1-800-667-4732 (toll-free for Canada and the United States)
• 1-514-369-7039 (long-distance charges apply)

Bottomline

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Behavioral Requirements for Service Dogs and ESAs on Air Canada Flights?

Can Emotional Support Animals Fly to International Destinations with Air Canada?

How Can I Ensure a Stress-Free Travel Experience with My Psychiatric Service Dog or ESA on Air Canada?

Can I Bring More Than One Psychiatric Service Dog on Air Canada Flights?

Can I Fly with an Emotional Support Cat on Air Canada?

Can I Change My Seat to Accommodate My Service Dog on Air Canada Flights?

Can My Service Dog Sit Next to Me on the Plane?

Can I Bring a Service Dog That Is Still in Training on an Air Canada Flight?