Understanding the Service Animal Air Transportation Form

One of the most common questions handlers ask when preparing to fly is: “Do I really need to fill out the Service Animal Air Transportation Form, and what if my dog is self-trained?”

Since March 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires individuals traveling by air with a service animal to complete this form. The form provides airlines with essential details about the handler and their service dog, ensuring safe, consistent, and compliant travel for everyone involved.

The Question That Causes Confusion

One section of the form often confuses handlers. It asks:

Name of Animal Trainer or Training Organization: ______________________ Phone: _____________

This line sometimes causes people to think that only professionally trained service dogs are accepted. In reality, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there is no requirement that a service dog be trained by a professional organization. Handlers with disabilities have the right to train their own service dogs.

Self-Trained Service Dogs Are Allowed

The ADA makes it clear: self-trained service dogs are fully recognized as long as they are trained to perform tasks directly related to the handler’s disability. No government-issued license or professional training certificate is required.

Examples of common tasks include:

• Hearing alert work (alerting to alarms, door knocks, phones)
• Seizure response (alerting or responding to seizures)
• Diabetic alert (detecting blood sugar changes)
• PTSD support (interrupting anxiety episodes, grounding, or providing comfort)

Why the Form Matters

Airlines are required to accept service dogs under the ADA, but they are also responsible for passenger safety. The Service Animal Air Transportation Form helps confirm that:

• The service dog is healthy and fit for travel
• The dog is trained to remain under control in public spaces
• The handler understands their responsibilities during the flight

The form does not change the ADA’s definition of a service dog—it simply gives airlines a standardized way to verify information and prevent misuse of the service animal designation.

The Role of Service Dogs in Air Travel

Service dogs—whether professionally trained or self-trained—provide critical support to their handlers by promoting independence, security, and confidence. For many handlers, air travel would be impossible without their dog’s assistance. The DOT form exists to protect the rights of legitimate teams while ensuring a safe travel environment.

Download the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form

You can download the form directly from our site here:

Download the Service Animal Air Transportation Form (PDF)