Clampdown Coming for Emotional Support Pets on Planes

  • October 18, 2016
Clampdown Coming for Emotional Support Pets on Planes
Now, the Department of Transportation is establishing an advisory committee on accessible air transportation (ACCESS Advisory Committee) that will develop proposed rules regarding accommodations for pets and their owners. The first ACCESS meeting will be held this week.

People not necessarily exhibiting a mental or physical disability are eluding the system by asking their mental health professionals to certify ESAs. Researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring the effects these requests are having on the mental health profession as well as outlining the potential legal ramifications psychologists could face by certifying ESAs. More can be found at this link.

Cassie Boness and Jeffrey Younggren from Mizzou recommend that psychologists refrain from issuing certifications to avoid the ethical and legal risks associated with certifying ESAs and have commented in several recent articles including Discover News.