HOW BENJI FLYS WITH ME (among other things)
If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked how Benji flys with me I would be at least $400 richer.
Which isn’t a lot, but lets clear this MUD.
We take two precautions because sometimes people give you a hard time about bringing your pet literally everywhere with you lol…SO
Step 1- Benji Tucker Heaton is a registered (ESA/EMS) Emotional Support Animal. How to do this? Click here. I got the $69.95 (cheapest option).
This does NOT mean you’re good to go now, I am not even sure you are required to take this step, but I DID because I got a cute service animal VEST and an ID card with his photo on it that I carry in my wallet (so we can get into grocery stores or other inappropriate places lol). Also, it is freaking hilarious to have an ID for your dog if you ask me.
STEP 2- You will need to pay to talk to a therapist that is legally able and willing to write you a letter for FLYING and HOUSING. YOU HAVE TO RENEW THIS EVERY YEAR. This is what they will ask for when renting/leasing any sort of housing, staying in hotels AND every time you fly. You can apply to interview with a therapist HERE or you can ask your current therapist to write this for you. It’s a little pricey (around $200) but way cheaper than paying for your pet to fly every time you travel. You will have to do a FaceTime interview with a therapist so they can diagnose you and basically write you a prescription for the service animal.
Examples of points I make during my interview:
-I have really bad anxiety both socially and emotionally
-I gave a few examples of how I live across the country from my family and my career requires me to be VERY social so having my EMS animal is extremely important
-I have been struggling with depression and loneliness since moving to LA
Ok so here is how you FLY with your EMS pup. (Without having to crate him under the plane, pay for a seat, etc.)
-Travel Southwest (when booking your flight, mark that you need special assistance/travling with a service animal or call the airline and tell them to add it to your reservation)
-GET to the airport early AF because you will have to wait in the Full Service line for them to check your paper work. (We have missed many flights due to this)
-I keep a folder with 2-3 copies of each letter and certificate in my backpack and I have it saved on my phone for emergencies. I usually don’t have him wear his vest, but your first couple of times I recommend it.
-Present ALL paper work at the kiosk.
-MAKE SURE they mark your ticket as pre-boarding/priority because you will need to board first, especially if you have a big dog like moi.
-Sit by the window with dog at feet.
-Enjoy the “dog people” who choose to sit with you and entertain your pup the entire flight.
PSA: It is really important to those of us who have already gone through all of this and trained our dogs to be well-behaved in public, that you DO NOT ruin this for us by bringing your little psychopath to the airport. If your dog is hyper, barks, cries, jumps, etc., please don’t put him/her and everyone else in the position to be more stressed when flying because the airlines are already getting more and more strict about service animals due to unruly PETS.
AND THATS, THAT MY GUYS.
LMK if you have any questions.
You’re welcome, bye.