Critics bite back at emotional support dogs on planes

This is Randy, the trained service dog belonging to Vietnam veteran Phil Sheckler, who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Randy does not fly with Sheckler. He said it would be too cramped for the 77-pound dog. (Photo courtesy of Phil Sheckler)

This is Randy, the trained service dog belonging to Vietnam veteran Phil Sheckler, who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Randy does not fly with Sheckler. He said it would be too cramped for the 77-pound dog. (Photo courtesy of Phil Sheckler)

If you've flown much in the past few years, you've probably noticed more and more uncrated pooches siting on owners' laps or under their seats. Those would be emotional support dogs, a trend that is growing because more and more people say they are stressed.

Or maybe they are complete frauds. People can inexpensively get a letter from a therapist allowing them to beat Delta’s one-way fee of $125 to fly with their furry friends.

Such emotional support dogs are untrained animals — basically someone's pet — that the owner believes will help them conquer the stress of flying. Never mind the dog's stress in the crowded cabin, or that of people around them.

Flight attendants say they are fed up with this trend, as are owners of service dogs (who are trained). The latter group says the fake and semi-fake support dogs are turning the public against them.