Service Animal Air Transportation Form – DOT Rules & ADA Rights

Understanding the Service Animal Air Transportation Form

Beginning March 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires individuals traveling by air with a service animal to complete a Service Animal Air Transportation Form. This form provides airlines with basic details about the handler and their service animal, helping ensure safe and compliant travel.

The Question That Causes Confusion

One section of the form asks:

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

Many handlers are unsure how to answer this question because it may seem to imply that a service animal must be trained by a professional organization. In reality, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there is no requirement for service animals to receive professional training. Handlers with disabilities have the right to train their own service dogs.

Self-Trained Service Dogs Are Allowed

The ADA permits individuals to self-train their service animals to perform tasks related to their disability. There is no legal requirement to use a certified trainer or program. Many handlers successfully train their dogs for tasks such as:

• Hearing alert work
• Seizure response
• Diabetic alert
• PTSD support

The Role of Service Dogs in Air Travel

Service dogs—whether professionally or self-trained—help their handlers by promoting independence, providing security, and increasing confidence during travel. The DOT form is intended to verify that the animal is a legitimate service animal, not to restrict how the dog was trained.

Link to the Official Form

For more details, or to download the form, visit the official DOT resource:   U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form