Pet Companion

  The Department of Transportation (DOT) revised its rules in January 2021, creating a major shift in how airlines handle emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals. For years, ESA owners could fly with their animals in the cabin without paying extra fees, provided they had proper documentation. However, the revised rules changed that landscape entirely — redefining who qualifies as a service animal and how ESAs are treated under federal travel law. In this article, we’ll break down what the DOT’s revisions mean, how they impact ESA and psychiatric service dog (PSD) owners, and what steps you can take to travel smoothly in 2025 and beyond. Why Did the DOT Revise Its Rules? The DOT updated its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations after years of complaints from airlines, passengers, and disability advocates. Some passengers were abusing ESA policies, bringing untrained animals — from peacocks to miniature horses — on planes, creating safety and health concerns. Air...

When I first started renting, I honestly believed “no-pet” policies were just part of the deal. You either paid up or found a different place to live. I loved my dog more than anything, but every time I scrolled through apartment listings and saw those dreaded words,  “no pets allowed” , my stomach dropped. And if I did manage to find a pet-friendly apartment? The fees were outrageous. Pet deposits, monthly “pet rent,” and sometimes even breed restrictions stacked up until the idea of moving felt impossible. By the time October rolled around, I knew something had to change. I wasn’t just worried about the financial burden, I was worried about the possibility of being separated from the one companion who kept me grounded. My dog wasn’t just a pet. He was my comfort on bad days, my reason to get outside when I felt low, and my reminder that I wasn’t facing life alone. The thought of being forced to live without him was unbearable. That’s when I decided to stop procrastinating and...