Alaska Airlines announced Thursday it is making policy changes for passengers who fly with emotional support and psychiatric service animals.
Starting May 1, the airline will require passengers traveling with those type of animals to provide animal health and behavioral documents. The airline said a signed document from a medical doctor or mental health professional will also be needed.
All of the documents must be submitted at least 48 hours before flight departure, Alaska Airlines said.
Ray Prentice, Alaska Airlines’ director of customer advocacy said, "We are making these changes now based on a number of recent incidents where the inappropriate behavior of emotional support animals has impacted and even injured our employees, other guests and service animals."
The airline reported at least 150 emotional support and psychiatric service animals travel on its planes daily.
The airline said passengers can obtain the necessary documents on alaskaair.com beginning April 30.
The policy changes do not apply to traditional service animals, Alaska Airlines said.
Learn more here.
Credit: Andie/Morguefile.com
Credit: Andie/Morguefile.com
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