How to Travel with a Service AnimalCómo Viajar con un Animal de Servicio
A simple, step-by-step guide to flying, driving, and traveling confidently with your service dog.Una guía simple paso a paso para volar, conducir y viajar con confianza con su perro de servicio.
Get the Routine RightEstablezca la Rutina
🍽️ Eat. Drink. Poop. Play.🍽️ Comer. Beber. Hacer sus necesidades. Jugar.
Make sure your dog eats, drinks, goes to the bathroom, and gets some exercise about 4 hours before you travel. This helps them stay calm and comfortable on the plane or in the car. Feed a full meal in the morning, a small snack about an hour before departure, and stop offering lots of water about 90 minutes before leaving.Asegúrese de que su perro coma, beba, vaya al baño y haga ejercicio unas 4 horas antes de viajar. Esto les ayuda a mantenerse calmados y cómodos.
📋 Get Your Paperwork Ready📋 Prepare Su Documentación
Check your airline’s service animal policy ahead of time. Most airlines now require you to fill out a DOT (Department of Transportation) form. Have printed copies AND digital copies of your service animal letter, vet records, and any airline forms. Put printed copies in a clear zip bag in your carry-on where you can grab them quickly.Verifique la política de su aerolínea con anticipación. La mayoría requiere un formulario DOT. Tenga copias impresas Y digitales de su carta, registros veterinarios y formularios.
⏰ Arrive Extra Early⏰ Llegue Más Temprano
Give yourself 30-60 extra minutes beyond your usual arrival time. You’ll need time to find pet relief areas, speak with gate agents, submit any airline forms, and go through TSA with your dog. Check the airport’s website before you go — most airports list their pet relief area locations online.Dese 30-60 minutos extra. Necesitará tiempo para encontrar áreas de alivio, hablar con agentes y pasar por seguridad con su perro.
Step by Step — What to ExpectPaso a Paso — Qué Esperar
🎫 Check-in🎫 Registro
Tell the check-in agent you’re traveling with a service animal. They may note it on your boarding pass so you get priority boarding. Be friendly but clear — you don’t need to explain your disability.Informe al agente que viaja con un animal de servicio. Pueden anotarlo en su pase de abordar para abordar prioritario.
🔍 Security (TSA)🔍 Seguridad (TSA)
Keep your dog on a leash and walk through the screening area together. Your bags go through the X-ray as usual. If there’s any issue, you can ask for a private screening room for you and your animal. TSA officers won’t ask about your disability.Mantenga su perro con correa y camine juntos por seguridad. Sus maletas pasan por rayos X normalmente.
🛫 Boarding🛫 Abordar
Use pre-boarding when offered — it gives you time to settle your dog before the plane fills up. Bring a thin blanket or mat to lay in the floor space in front of your seat. This gives your dog a familiar “spot” and signals to other passengers where the dog’s area is.Use pre-abordar cuando lo ofrezcan — le da tiempo para acomodar a su perro. Traiga una cobija delgada para el piso frente a su asiento.
NEVER let anyone put your animal in the overhead bin. This is extremely dangerous and has caused animal deaths. Your service animal stays at your feet, on your lap, or under the seat — NEVER in overhead storage. If a crew member asks you to move your animal to the overhead bin, refuse calmly and firmly.NUNCA deje que nadie ponga su animal en el compartimento superior. Es extremadamente peligroso. Su animal se queda a sus pies o en su regazo — NUNCA arriba.
Staying Calm in the AirManteniéndose Tranquilo en el Aire
😌 Relax — Your Dog Reads You😌 Relájese — Su Perro Lo Lee
Animals pick up on your emotions. If you’re calm, your dog will be calmer too. Use a quiet voice, give a small treat when they settle, and try light physical contact like an ear rub if your dog finds that soothing. Keep a familiar toy nearby for comfort.Los animales perciben sus emociones. Si está tranquilo, su perro también lo estará. Use voz tranquila y dé un premio cuando se acomode.
🔄 Long Flights & Layovers🔄 Vuelos Largos y Escalas
On multi-leg trips, treat each flight as its own mini travel day. During layovers, find the pet relief area and give your dog a walk, water, and bathroom break. Even 10 minutes of movement makes a big difference before the next boarding.En viajes con escalas, trate cada vuelo como un mini día de viaje. En las escalas, encuentre el área de alivio y dé a su perro una caminata y agua.
Travel Packing ChecklistLista de Empaque para Viaje
Print this checklist or screenshot it on your phone.Imprima esta lista o haga captura de pantalla.
✈️ Service Animal Travel Checklist✈️ Lista de Viaje del Animal de Servicio
Traveling by CarViajando en Auto
🚗 Driving Gives You Total Control🚗 Conducir Le Da Control Total
Road trips are often the easiest way to travel with your service animal. Stop every 2-3 hours for a short walk, water, and bathroom break. Use a seat belt attachment or crate to keep your dog safe during the drive.Los viajes por carretera son frecuentemente la forma más fácil. Pare cada 2-3 horas para caminar, agua y baño. Use cinturón o jaula para seguridad.
⚠️ NEVER leave your animal alone in a parked car — even on mild days, temperatures inside a car rise fast and can be deadly.⚠️ NUNCA deje a su animal solo en un auto estacionado — las temperaturas suben rápido y pueden ser mortales.
Need Travel Documentation?¿Necesita Documentación de Viaje?
Make sure you have proper documentation before you fly. Take our free screening to get started.Asegúrese de tener la documentación adecuada antes de volar.