Hello, I’m Skeeter the PTSDog, and this is my human, author Joaquin Juatai. We have traveled extensively, all the way across the country, and we have faced many challenges while we were doing so. With a little planning, a lot of the stress traveling with a Service Dog could create can be averted.
The basics are easy – a sufficient amount of dog food, food and water bowls, any medications or supplements, all should be easy to put together and make sure you have packed in a “go bag.” Plan for the need for extra – if you’re going to be gone for five days, take seven days’ worth of food. Carry at least one extra gallon of water – we use a 7 gallon camping container and fill it with fresh water before every road trip. That way there’s always clean water available!
Potty bags are absolutely essential! I keep a poop bag carrier on my leash, and there are always at least two extra rolls in the truck. In a pinch, you can use plastic grocery bags like you get at Walmart or a convenience store when you stop for drinks and gas!
Don’t forget your dog’s gear! You may think you’re just going on a camping trip where you won’t need a spare leash, or don’t think you should take your vest … But things happen. Sudden rain storms could make a stop at a motel necessary, you may want to go to a restaurant, or other place where having your Service Dog’s vest would be beneficial! Remember, a vest or other special markings on your Service Dog are not required by law, but they can help make access easier in some situations.
My handler makes sure, when we stop, that my needs are taken care of first. We walk, so I can potty, then it’s water, food if it’s time, and an opportunity to stretch my legs! He often chooses not to take me inside rest ares or convenience stores because of my size – I’m a big 100 lb Alaskan Malamute, and my tail can cause havoc in narrow convenience store aisles. That’s my handler’s choice – he has the right to take me in, but a 45-second trip into the 7-11 is something he is usually comfortable with without needing me present.
Speaking of access, the most challenging aspect of traveling with your Service Dog is access. Make sure you’re prepared for challenges – understand the Americans with Disabilities Act, understand your rights and your responsibilities under the law. An excellent document to have handy is the ADA’s Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
Understand your rights at hotels and motels! A motel can not charge extra for a Service Dog, can not limit the dog’s size, or require a cleaning deposit for a Service Dog!
If you have access issues at a hotel or motel, first, remember to breathe! If it’s a chain, contact corporate immediately and explain the situation! Do your best to remain calm, explain the laws, share the links to the ADA, and educate the hotel about your rights! DO NOT produce registration or certification paperwork! Paperwork like this, purchased off of a website, is NOT valid, and is not required by or accepted by the ADA and the Department of Justice. If you’re a legitimately disabled person, who uses a trained Service Animal, you should be aware of this!
And please, don’t try and pass pets off as Service Dogs! Service Dogs are individually trained to perform work or tasks to assist their handlers with a disability. The ADA does not protect me, the Service Dog – it is a civil rights law that protects my disabled handler. Taking pets in to businesses where they are not usually allowed endangers the disabled handlers who really need their Service Dogs to help them!
Joaquin Juatai is the author of the book, PTSDog: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Service Dog, available at booklocker.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.
Please note: as an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Conestoga Chuck 