I was looking around for an Airbnb and found what I thought would be the perfect one for me. It’s a large owner-occupied house, with a private room and access to the public areas. I travel with a service animal, and the owner noted that no animals are allowed in her Airbnb. I understand a “no pets” policy, but aren’t service animals covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Can this Airbnb deny my service animal under the law?
Airbnbs and Service Animals
Airbnbs are becoming more and more popular, and as such they are also becoming a doable choice for people with disabilities. With the aging of society in general, many Airbnbs have made access improvements, so now more slow walkers and wheelchair-users can also enjoy them. But you bring up a valid point about service animals. Are Airbnbs required to accept service animals under the ADA?
Title III of the ADA (www.ada.gov/resources/title-iii-manual/) covers public accommodations like places of lodging, restaurants, stores and public spaces. And these public accommodations are required to accept service animal (dogs). This includes Airbnbs and other overnight rentals; however the rules are slightly different for owner-occupied units. Under the law, owner-occupied homes that rent fewer than six rooms are exempt from the ADA, so those properties can exclude service animals.
So yes, if this property offers fewer than six rental rooms, it can legally forbid you to bring your service animal.
That said, some private rentals allow animals – all animals. So I would search around for those properties that welcome animals, so you won’t run into any problems with your service animal.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Thinking about visiting a US national park in a wheelchair? Although most of the parks have rugged back country areas, the majority have also added access upgrades so that wheelchair-users and slow walkers can enjoy these national treasures. As an added bonus, admission discounts are available to seniors and people with a permanent disability. That said, advance planning greatly enhances any national park visit; so with that in mind, here are some tips and tricks to help save time, money, and avoid disappointment on your next national park adventure. Top of Menu
Admission Passes
If you’d like to save a few bucks on your next national park visit, then pick up one of these discount passes at any national park entrance station. They all provide free admission to the passholder and all passengers in the same vehicle, but they each have different eligibility criteria.
The America the Beautiful Access Pass is available to U.S. citizens or residents with a permanent disability. Proof of disability and residency is required in order to obtain this free lifetime pass. It’s also available by mail for a small handling charge.
The America the Beautiful Military Pass is available to all active duty service members and veterans of the US Armed Forces. There’s no charge for this yearly pass, but a Common Access Card, military ID, veteran ID or a veteran designation on a driver’s license is required to obtain one. This pass also available by mail for a small handling charge,.
The Senior Pass is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 62 years old. This lifetime pass costs $80. An annual Senior Pass is also available for $20, and the cost of that annual pass can be applied to the purchase of a lifetime pass. Proof of age and residency or citizenship are required to obtain either pass. These passes are also available by mail for an additional handling charge.
The National Park Annual Pass is available to anyone and it’s a good choice if you plan to visit many national parks. The pass costs $80 and it’s valid for admission to all national parks for a year. An annual pass for each individual park is also available, and the price for these passes varies depending on the park. This park-specific pass is an attractive choice for folks who live near a national park and plan numerous visits. Both passes are available though the mail for an additional handling charge.
Finally, the free Annual 4th Grade Pass is available to all 4th graders. It’s valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year and the following summer. Paper vouchers can be obtained at everykidoutdoors.gov and exchanged for an Annual 4th Grade Pass at any national park entrance. This pass is also available to home-schooled students.
For more information about these passes, visit store.usgs.gov.
A nonresident fee will be charged to each non-US resident aged 16 or older who visits these popular national parks.
Acadia
Bryce Canyon
Everglades
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Rocky Mountain
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion
Non-US residents will pay the standard park entrance fee, plus a $100 surcharge for each person aged 16 or older. Alternatively, non-US residents can purchase a non-US resident annual pass for $250, which covers all passengers in the vehicle.
Even if you don’t have a park pass, you can still get free admission on one of the “fee free days” each year. During these days, the park gates swing open and no entrance fees are collected. Unfortunately the parks get pretty crowded on those days. Fee free days are only for U.S. residents. Non-U.S. residents will have to pay the entrance fee and nonresident fee. Here’s a list of the fee-free days, but it’s best to visit www.nps.gov for the exact dates, as some do change slightly every year.
In an effort to control the crowds, some of the more popular national parks require advance reservations during peak seasons. These reservations are required even if you have a national park pass. They are not available at the parks, and visitors who don’t have one will be turned away. The following parks currently require advance entrance reservations.
Arches National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park Glacier National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Yosemite National Park
Timing is everything, when it comes to a national park visit. Generally speaking, most parks experience peak visitation between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Unfortunately many parks also have abbreviated seasons, so it’s difficult to visit outside of prime time. If you must visit during the high season, try to avoid summer weekends and holidays, as parking, lodging and campsites are difficult — if not impossible — to find at those times.
Additionally, an early morning visit will help circumvent the crowds. The magic hour is usually 10 AM, after which the bus tours start to roll in to the parks. It’s also not unusual to wait an hour in the entrance queue at the more popular national parks, if you arrive in the afternoon during peak season. On the other hand, if you get an early start, you’ll have a more relaxing visit, and you won’t have to fight the crowds. The best way to have a more enjoyable experience is to plan for several morning excursions, if you plan to visit a national park in a wheelchair. Top of Menu
Road Closures
Although many parks are open year-round, some experience seasonal road closures. For example, Going-to-the-Sun Road, which traverses Glacier National Park, is closed from late fall to late spring due to heavy snow. Sections of the road open incrementally, and the entire length is not passable until June or July. Likewise, Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park is usually closed from November to May, and the park is inaccessible from the Tioga Pass Entrance at that time.
Some parks may also experience temporary road closures due to extreme weather conditions. It’s not unusual for Yosemite to close some roads during heavy snow; and the park has closed entirely a few times during heavy floods. And although Bryce Canyon National Park is open year-round, there may be temporary road closures after snow storms, until the roads are cleared.
It’s a good idea to always carry chains or cables when traveling through the western national parks, as spring and fall snow storms are not uncommon. Most parks also have a weather and road condition telephone number posted on their website; however it’s also a good idea to monitor the park’s twitter and Facebook feeds for breaking news about road closures. Top of Menu
Altitude
It’s a good idea to take note of the elevation of the places you plan to visit in the national parks, especially in the Western U.S. Although the symptoms of altitude sickness generally do not appear at elevations under 8,000 feet, wheelchair-users, slow walkers and people with compromised immune systems may feel the effects of increased altitudes at significantly lower elevations. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, lethargy, insomnia and gastrointestinal disturbances.
If you are unfamiliar with the effects that higher elevations have on your body, it’s best to take it slow and drink plenty of water for the first few days at any increased elevation, especially if you live at sea level. Additionally, you may want to consult your doctor regarding the effects that increased elevations may have on your specific condition, before you visit a national park in a wheelchair. Top of Menu
Loaner Wheelchairs and More
Many national park visitor centers have free loaner wheelchairs for visitors who can’t walk for or who tire easily. In most cases the loaner wheelchairs cannot be taken to other areas of the park. Additionally, they are available on a first-come basis, so if you absolutely need an assistive device to get around, it’s best to bring one with you.
Some parks go a step or two beyond providing a standard wheelchair. For example, Redwood National Park has beach wheelchairs and all-terrain track chairs available at many locations; while Great San Dunes National Park has a sand wheelchair available. Additionally, Yosemite National Park has a handcycle rental concession, so everyone can explore the 12 miles of paved bicycle trails that wind through the park. And if you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure and pick up a free loaner track chair at the Estes Park Mountain Shop (www.estesparkmountainshop.com/) to explore the park. Top of Menu
Service Animals
If you are planning to visit a national park in a wheelchair, and you have a service animal, there are no restrictions on the areas that you and your service animal may visit. This includes public buildings, lodges, shuttle buses, campgrounds and outdoor areas. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that is individually trained to do work or preform a task for a disabled person. Furthermore, the work or task that the dog provides must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support — Emotional Support Animals — do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Emotional Support Animals are subject to the park’s pet regulations and restrictions.
It should also be noted that although some organizations sell “service animal registration” documents on-line, these documents do not convey any rights under the ADA, and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
For more information on the ADA definition of a service animal, visit www.ada.gov/. Top of Menu
Wheelchair-Accessible Lodging
Many national parks have hotels or lodges; and although many of the properties are historic, access upgrades have been added over the years. As a result a good number of in-park lodges offer updated wheelchair-accessible rooms with roll-in showers.
All of the in-park lodgings are managed by authorized concessionaires, who have contracted with the National Park Service, and operate under strict guidelines. They are responsible for the daily operations of the facilities, as well as improvements and upgrades. It’s important to deal with these concessionaires directly when you make a reservation; as not only will you get the best price there, but you will also have access to employees who can block the accessible rooms and describe the access details of each available unit.
Unfortunately these concessionaires do not always come up first in internet searches because paid advertisements appear before them. Some of these paid advertisements even list “national park lodges” that are located many miles outside the parks, which is misleading to people who are unfamiliar with the local geography. The authorized concessionaires for all the national park lodges are listed below, so look for their branding on any booking engine for national park properties. To avoid disappointment, deal directly with these concessionaires when making plans to visit a national park in a wheelchair.
Badlands National Park (Cedar Pass Cabins) Big Bend National Park (Chisos Mountains Lodge) Bryce Canyon National Park (The Lodge at Bryce Canyon) Grand Canyon National Park (Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim) Grand Teton National Park (Signal Mountain Lodge) Isle Royale National Park (Rock Harbor Lodge) Mesa Verde National Park (Far View Lodge) Olympic National Park (Lake Crescent Lodge, Sol Duc Lodge, Log Cabin Resort) Yosemite National Park (Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Wawona Lodge)
Grand Canyon National Park (Yavapai Lodge) Kings Canyon National Park (Cedar Grove Lodge, John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins) Olympic National Park (Kalaloch Lodge) Sequoia National Park (Wuksachi Lodge) Shenandoah National Park (Skyland Lodge, Big Meadows Lodge, Lewis Mountain Cabins)
Death Valley National Park (Inn at Death Valley, Ranch at Death Valley) Glacier National Park (Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Village Inn Motel) Grand Canyon National Park (El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge) Yellowstone National Park (Canyon Lodge & Cabins, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Lake Lodge Cabins, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Roosevelt Lodge, Old Faithful Lodge, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Old Faithful Inn, Grant Village Lodge) Top of Menu
Wheelchair-Accessible Transportation
Some of the busier national parks offer shuttle bus transportation within the parks, to cut down on traffic. And although they are not mandatory, it’s a good idea to make use of them when they are offered, as parking is at a premium during peak season in the more popular national parks.
Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Denali National Park and Zion National Park all have accessible shuttle buses. And although most of the shuttles are optional the Zion shuttle is mandatory, north of Canyon Junction from March to October, on weekends in November, and during the holiday season in December. Zion Lodge guests are given special passes at the entrance station that allow them to drive to the lodge parking lot. Visitors who need to carry along additional medical equipment or who cannot ride the Zion shuttle for medical reasons are eligible for a Yellow Pass Permit, which allows them to drive their personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Drive. The pass is free and is available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Some parks — such as Yosemite and Grand Canyon — also allow disabled visitors to drive on roads that are normally closed to vehicles. Yosemite visitors who have a disabled placard can drive on Happy Isles Road and Mirror Lake Road; while Grand Canyon visitors who have a mobility issue can get a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit, that allows them to drive on Yaki Point Road and Hermit Road when it’s closed to private vehicles. A disabled placard is not required in order to obtain this permit; however vehicles are prohibited from parking in accessible parking places in the park without a disabled placard or license plate. The permit is available at the visitors centers and park hotels.
Some communities also offer shuttle transportation from gateway cities to the national parks. Groome Transportation (groometransportation.com/flagstaff/) provides accessible transfers between the Flagstaff Amtrak Station and Pulliam Airport to Maswik Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Accessible vehicles are available but they must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. And over in California, YARTS (yarts.com) provides fixed route public transportation to Yosemite from the surrounding gateway communities. There are four YARTS routes, which enter the park through each of the main park entrances. All YARTS buses are wheelchair-accessible; however passengers must contact YARTS at least 48 hours in advance insure availability. Top of Menu
Camping
Most national parks have campgrounds with accessible campsites that are operated by the National Park Service or private concessionaires. These sites usually include a paved parking space, a level tent site, a raised grill and an accessible picnic table. They are located near an accessible shower house which usually has a roll-in shower, an accessible toilet stall and a roll-under sink.
Some accessible campsites also have raised tent platforms, which are built at wheelchair height for easier transfers. Grand Teton offers the raised tent platforms at Jenny Lake Campground and Signal Mountain Campground; while they are available in Yosemite at Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground and Wawona Campground.
Some parks may require proof of disability in order to occupy an accessible campsite. If nobody has a need for an accessible site, able-bodied campers may be asked to move to a non-accessible site if a qualified person with a disability has a need for the accessible site. In most cases, accessible campsites may not be reserved by able-bodied campers unless they are the only sites left at the time of reservation.
Reservation for accessible campsites may be made at www.recreation.gov or on the concessionaire’s website. Top of Menu
Ranger Programs
Free ranger-led programs are available throughout the day at most national parks. The programs include lectures about the local environment, guided hikes and evening campfire programs. Most of the lectures and campfire programs are wheelchair-accessible, but some of the ranger-led hikes take place on inaccessible trails. Consult the park newspaper or check at the visitor center for a current schedule and the accessibility details of the ranger-led programs.
Some national parks also offer special ranger programs that require advance registration, For example, the excellent Ride with a Ranger accessible bus tour is offered twice a day in Zion National Park. There is no charge for the tour, but reservations must be made in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Seating is limited and reservations can be made up to three days in advance.
Likewise Arches National Park sporadically holds night sky viewing programs in their nicely accessible viewing space at Panorama Point. The space includes interpretive panels, bench seating and a presentation bay. It’s a great vantage point day or night.
And don’t forget about the Junior Ranger Program, which isn’t just for kids. Pick up a junior ranger field manual at the park visitor center, complete the activities and get a junior ranger badge upon completion. There’s no cost for the field manual or the badge, and some parks even throw in a cool extra treat, like the moose eraser I picked up at Isle Royale National Park. Even if you don’t go the full nine yards and get the official badges, you’ll still learn a lot about the national parks you visit by completing the activities in the junior ranger field manuals. Top of Menu
Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
Most national parks have at least one wheelchair-accessible trail; however that doesn’t mean it’s a completely level trail. According to ADA guidelines, accessible trails must be wide and on firm ground; and although most of the trail will most likely have a slope of less than 5%, no more than 30% of the the total length of an accessible trail may have a running slope greater than 8.33%. Additionally, running slopes between 8.33% and 10% are only allowed in 30-foot segments, with resting intervals at the top and bottom of each segment. And the running slope of an accessible trail may never exceed 12%. On the plus side, many accessible trails also include signs that list their length, width, grade and cross slope.
The most accessible trails are usually located near visitor centers. For example, up in North Cascades National Park, the extremely accessible .05-mile Sterling Munro Boardwalk starts in the back of the visitor center and winds through the forest out to a scenic viewpoint. This trail is wide and level, and doable by most people.
Boardwalks are also popular around wet areas; in fact Yellowstone National Park has a number of accessible boardwalks near the park’s geothermal features. Midway Geyser Basin is a mile-long boardwalk that gains some elevation but the slope is gradual, and there are level spots to stop and rest along the way. There are wide level viewing spots along this trail that circles Excelsior Geyser, Turquoise Pool, Opal Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring – the largest hot spring in the park. It’s truly one of the nicest — and most colorful – geothermal areas in the park.
Don’t overlook multiuse trails either, as many of them are wide, paved and wheelchair-accessible The Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path is an excellent example. The trail begins outside of the park at the shuttle staging area at Ruby’s in Bryce Canyon City, and travels 2.4 miles to the park entrance, then continues another 2.6 miles to Inspiration Point. And the good news is, the entire five-mile length is paved, level and wheelchair-accessible. It also connects with the shuttle system at the visitor center, general store, lodge, Sunset Point, Sunset Campground and Inspiration Point, so you can do as much of the trail as you like, then hop on the shuttle to return to your car.
Many national parks also feature accessible trails to some of their top attractions. Such is the case in Yosemite National Park, which boasts the nicely accessible Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. This wide paved half-mile trail leads through the forest to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall. A short boardwalk section of the trail also covers a muddy stretch, and has low bumpers for unobstructed wheelchair viewing. There are benches and interpretive plaques along the way, and it’s a pleasant spot to just sit back and enjoy Mother Nature. Plus you just can’t beat the feel of mist on your face as you admire the roaring falls. Top of Menu
Accessible Tours
Although it’s entirely possible to see most national parks on your own, some concessionaires offer guided tours for a more in-depth experience. These accessible tours vary from park to park, but here are a few examples.
In Grand Canyon National Park, Xanterra (www.grandcanyonlodges.com) offers a number of narrated bus tours that depart from Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Tour choices range from the Sunrise Tour that covers the west side or the park, the Hermits Rest Tour which travels along Hermit Road, the Desert View Drive Tour which focuses on sights in the east end of the park, and the Sunset Tour which concludes with a stop at one of the South Rim’s most panoramic viewpoints. Accessible buses are available for any of the tours with 48-hours advance notice, but it’s best to reserve space as far in advance as possible, as these popular tours fill up quickly.
Over in Glacier National Park, Xanterra (www.glaciernationalparklodges.com) also offers a wheelchair-accessible alternative to the historic Red Bus Tours. These tours are conducted in luxury lift-equipped buses with two wheelchair spaces and tie-downs. Passengers get a full view of everything around them, thanks to an on-board camera and monitors, and roll-up plastic flaps on the windows. Tours are available on the west and east sides of the park, with stops at accessible trails and viewpoints along the way. And although these tours are a great option for wheelchair-users, they are available to slow walkers, people who use canes, or anyone who feels they can’t manage the two narrow 18-inch high steps and the bench seats on the historic vehicles. Even better, you get the entire bus to yourself, so it’s almost like a private tour.
Thr Zion Lodge Tram Tour (www.ZionLodge.com) is also a great option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The open-air tram tour departs from Zion Lodge in the late afternoon, and travels along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The hour-long tour features ramp access with wheelchair and companion seating aboard the tram. The tour is usually available from spring to fall, and tickets can be purchased at the front desk at Zion Lodge. Visit the Zion Lodge website for tour times and more information.
Last but not least, Aramark (www.travelyosemite.com) offers the incredibly scenic Valley Floor Tour in Yosemite National Park. This two-hour naturalist-led tour introduces visitors to the highlights of Yosemite, and presents a good primer on the natural history of the park. During good weather the tours are conducted in open-air trams which offer magnificent views of the surrounding natural features; but in inclement weather, buses replace the trams. Accessible tour vehicles for this popular tour should be requested at least 48 hours in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment. Top of Menu
Resources
All of the parks have an official National Park Service page, which can be found at www.nps.gov. Although they contain maps and general information about each specific park, these pages are not updated daily.
For updated information about road closures or other time sensitive information, it’s best to visit the Facebook page or follow the twitter feed of the national park in question. Many concessionaires also maintain a strong social media presence and are quite responsive to questions. Top of Menu
Additional Information for Exploring a National Park in a Wheelchair
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued new rabies vaccination and health regulations for all dogs entering the US. This includes service animals, and it also applies to dogs returning to the US. The new rabies regulations, which went into effect on August 1, 2024, require all dogs entering the US to:
Be at least six months old
Be healthy and disease-free
Have an ISO-compatible microchip
Have a US-issued Rabies Vaccination form (completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian) or a USDA export certificate
Have a completed CDC Import Form receipt
Why the New Rabies Regulations?
These new regulations replace the old regulations, which were issued in 1956. So why are new rabies regulations necessary?
Although dog rabies was eliminated in 2007, a reintroduction is possible if dogs from high risk rabies countries enter the US unvaccinated. And the US imports approximately 1 million dogs each year.
And then there’s the issue of fraud. There has been widespread fraud in importation documents, and it’s felt that will subside with stricter rules, specifically an ISO-compatible microchip and vaccination and import forms that are completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Additionally, unhealthy animals that were previously turned away at customs were sometimes housed in unsafe and unsanitary conditions by the importers. With the new rules in place, it’s hoped the incidence of unhealthy or diseased dogs at international border crossings will decrease. In other words since the new process will entail more time and money, it’s believed that only reputable exporters or responsible pet owners will likely complete it.
And finally, it will pretty much bring the US in line with the majority of other countries that have upped their entrance requirements in order to keep rabies at bay.
Rabies Regulations and Service Animals
Will the new rabies regulations be more time consuming for folks with service animals? Probably. People who fly with service animals already have to fill out the DOT forms that list the service animal’s veterinarian and vaccination information. Now a USDA-accredited veterinarian will have to fill out the CDC-required rabies vaccination form and the import form. It will likely involve an office visit and of course a vet bill.
The bigger problem could be finding a USDA-accredited veterinarian. This handy tool can help you find out if your vet is USDA-accredited, or locate one nearby who is. But start early, as some offices may be inundated with people wanting to travel, and others may just stop taking new patients because of the overload.
You’ll also need to make sure your dog’s microchip is ISO-compliant. This means that it has 15 digits which is the international standard. Some older chips may not make the cut, so you may have to have a new one implanted. Your vet can determine if the microchip is ISO-compliant.
And finally, when you do get the paperwork from the vet, make copies. The CDC advises people to travel with at least two copies, in case a customs agent needs to retain one.
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), US airlines are required to accept service animals on all their flights. Additionally, foreign air carriers are required to accept service animals on all flights to and from the US. Psychiatric service animals are treated the same as service animals under the ACAA. Additionally, after the ACAA update in 2021, airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals. They are now treated as pets and are subject to pet rules and additional charges. So here’s what you need to know about flying with a service animal.
What is a Service Animal?
Under the law, a service animal is defined as a dog that is trained to do a specific task or tasks for a person with a disability. Miniature horses are no longer accepted under the ACAA. And under no circumstances are US airlines required to accept unusual species, such as snakes, other reptiles, ferrets, rodents and spiders. Foreign carriers, that fly to and from the US are also required to accept dogs as service animals.
Service animals must be at least four months old; and air carriers are not required to accept service animals in training. There are no breed or weight restrictions; and although most passengers only travel with one service animal, two are allowed if they perform different tasks for the passenger. Additionally, airlines cannot restrict the number of service animals on any flight.
What Documentation is Required?
Airlines can require passengers flying with a service animal to submit DOT designed forms that attest to the service animal’s health, behavior and training. Additionally they can require attestation that the service animal will not need to relieve itself, or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner, on flights over eight hours. This documentation must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Although most airlines process these DOT forms seamlessly on their own websites, a few use third-party vendors to accomplish this task. And although the same 48-hour advance notice is required, sometimes it’s difficult for third-party vendors to process the forms within this time frame. Check the airline website and allow yourself plenty of extra time if they use a third-party vendor.
Airline personnel are also allowed to seek credible verbal assurance from passengers that they have a disability and require a service animal. If the passenger’s disability is not apparent, airline personnel may question the passenger to determine their need for a service animal, even if the animal has a harness, tag or vest. And finally, if the airline refuses to accept an animal as a service animal, they must explain the reason, and provide written documentation of that decision within 10 days.
Have a U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form (completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian) or USDA -endorsed export certificate
Have a completed CDC Import Form receipt
Dogs entering the US must receive the rabies vaccine at least 28 days before entry. It’s recommended that handlers carry duplicate copies of all forms, in case border agents need to retain a copy. Additionally, if a dog is deemed to have a contagious disease by border agents, then additional testing, examination and isolation may be required at the owner’s expense.
These requirements are for animals that are visiting or returning from rabies-free countries. There are additional requirements for animals coming from high-risk rabies countries. For more information about the CDC requirements, visit https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/enter-the-us.html.
In the Air
Passengers who fly with service animals are allowed to preboard the aircraft; and the service animal must remain tethered and under the passenger’s control for the entire flight.
Passengers who fly with a service animal are guaranteed bulkhead seating under the ACAA; however they are permitted to sit anywhere on the aircraft, except the emergency exit rows. The service animal must not obstruct the aisle or other areas that must remain clear under FAA safety rules. Additionally, the service animal must fit in the handler’s lap or in their foot space, and it must not encroach on another passengers space. If this is a problem, the airline must allow the handler and the service animal to move to another seat where the animal can be accommodated; however they are not required to upgrade the passenger.
Last but not least, service animals must behave appropriately aboard the aircraft, which is usually not an issue for properly trained service animals. And when the airplane lands, airlines are required to provide service animal relief areas for passengers with a service animal. For more information about the updated ACAA that went into effect in 2021, visit https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382
Other Considerations
Last but not least, it’s important to understand that most foreign countries also have specific health requirements for all animals — including service animals — that enter the country. This is in addition to any DOT requirements for service animals. For example, even though the DOT forms require information about the animal’s rabies vaccination status, an additional health certificate may be required at the port of entry. Every country is different, and these requirements change often. For more information on specific country requirements, visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country. Do your research and plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
I use a manual wheelchair and I’d like to train my dog to be a service animal so I can travel with him. There are so many places that offer training, certification and registration online, and I really have no idea of where to go. Can you recommend some certified trainers or schools, and also direct me to the official place to register my dog as a service animal?
Service Animal Training Resources
Service dogs help people in wheelchairs do a number of things. They can pick up things, open and close automatic doors, carry items, turn on lights and even retrieve a wheelchair that’s out of reach. That said, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no official training, certification or registration is required for a dog to be considered a service animal. The only requirement is that the animal must perform a task or tasks to assist a person with a disability.
You can certainly self-train your dog to perform tasks to assist you — at home and when you travel. A good way to find an experienced trainer to work with you is to contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL) and ask them for referrals to trainers that have worked with their clients. CILs are located throughout the US and they offer excellent disability-related resources. Here’s a directory to find one near you. ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
There are also a number of reputable organizations that train service dogs and then pair them with folks who need them. These organizations usually begin with puppies and the training takes almost two years. After graduation each dog is paired with a person with a disability, and the team then undergoes additional training at the organization’s facility. Financial aid is usually available, and some service dog organizations operate as non-profits and provide the animals to qualified applicants at no charge. The wait for these animals can be several years; however since you want to train your own dog, these organizations aren’t a viable option for you.
Red Flags!
Finally, there are a number of websites that offer service dog certification, registration and equipment. In most cases you should steer clear of these sites, which are more commonly known as card mills. For a fee they will give you a card that says your dog is a service animal, add them to their registry and even send them a vest or a harness. Although there’s nothing technically illegal about this, it’s an unnecessary expense because in most cases you don’t need any official certification, registration or even a card for your dog to be classified as a service animal. Some of these websites also offer to certify dogs as emotional support animals, which are not recognized under the ADA or the Air Carrier Access Act (which governs accessible air travel).
It should also be noted that under the ADA, service animals are not required to wear tags, vests or harnesses that identify them as service animals. All that’s needed is the verbal assurance that the animal preforms tasks for an individual with a disability. Finally, be especially skeptical of any site that claims they are the “official service animal registry”, because according to the ADA there is no such thing.
I’m sure you’ll do a good job training your dog, and in the end you’ll have a great helper.
If you’d like to save a few bucks on your next national park visit, then pick up one of these discount passes at any national park entrance station. They all provide free admission to the passholder and all passengers in the same vehicle, but they each have different eligibility criteria.
I use a manual wheelchair and I’d like to train my dog to be a service animal so I can travel with him. There are so many places that offer training, certification and registration online, and I really have no idea of where to go. Can you recommend some certified trainers or schools, and also direct me to the official place to register my dog as a service animal?