Tips for How to Travel With a Service Dog

These tips on how to travel with a service dog with help make your next road trip easier. My service dog and I have taken road trips to Alaska from Virginia, on medical trips and to other travel destinations. We have had access issues at hotels, restaurants and medical centers that made traveling with a service dog difficult. I’ve learned a few things along the way that may make traveling with a service dog a little easier for you.

Research your destination
Medical centers may be required to accept your service dog but that doesn’t mean they will. My service dog was denied access at the National Institute of Health. Their policy was convoluted and violated the Americans With Disabilities Act. Staff at other medical care centers just asked if I was able to take him to relief areas or just ignored him. Check the hospital website or call ahead to find out what their policy is. You will have to deal with their issues even if they are out of compliance. Researching in advance will give you an idea of what to expect.

See the vet
Make sure that your service dog is up to date on all vaccines and ready for travel. Get a domestic health certificate if possible. They are usually free and the information is helpful if your dog gets sick or injured on the trip. If you can’t get a health certificate, pick up a business card from your veterinarian’s office. That way an emergency vet can easily get in touch with your veterinarian at home if needed. This is also a good time to go over your pet first aid kit and add anything the vet suggests.

Check the chip Have the vet scan your dog’s microchip to be sure it’s in order. Make sure the associated information is complete and up to date. If your dog isn’t microchipped, get a chip. This is your first line of defense in case your dog goes missing.

Dog tag information
Here’s something I almost overlooked. My husband’s phone number was on my service dog’s tag. The only problem was that he was at home. A friend was going to be with me instead of him. To change this, I purchased a new tag and had her number put on it just for the trip.

Bring a bright colored sheet
If you travel with a service dog to a hotel, bring a bright colored sheet to cover the bed with. Don’t use white or ivory. The light colors can easily be mistaken for hotel sheets when staff cleans the room. The same rule applies to any towel or bedding that your dog may use.

Ground floor room tip!
There is a secret advantage to getting a ground floor hotel room. It’s easier to take the dog out and it makes getting to the breakfast area easier to navigate. There’s another big advantage though. At night, your dog can play without bothering the room beneath you. Second best choice is the room over the lobby or office. It’s one of the tips to make traveling a service dog easier that no one ever thinks about. You’ll need to call the hotel directly to make the arrangements.

Check your gear
Service dog vests, leashes and other gear wear with age. Bowls can leak or chip. Check the condition before you leave home. Repair or replace anything that looks worn. I also like to travel with an extra leash. It’s nice to have a clean dry spare to use in case the other gets wet or muddy.

Toys and more
Bring quiet toys to the hospital. Leave squeaky at home or in the hotel room.
Does your service dog use a crate? Are you staying several nights in a hotel? Have it shipped directly to the hotel and pick it up from the front desk at check in. They may take it to your room if you call that day.

All dogs need water balls and bags. This water bottle bowl set is the one I use. The bottle doesn’t leak so I can carry it in my backpack pocket. It also has a collapsible silicone bowl that clips. I use that if I’m in a situation where carrying a bottle is impractical or to feed him with. This set from Amazon might be a good option if you are flying. It has a water bottle bowl on one end and a food container on the other.

I also use a poop bag holder that clips onto his harness. I got this set from Amazon. The poop bags that I get at the dollar store fit well and I can stick an extra carrier in my backpack.

Dog Food Tip
Don’t worry if you can’t carry a large bag of dog food with you. It can be delivered straight to your hotel. I found this out when my van had to be towed and I forgot to get the dog food (and other items). The break down necessitated a three day hotel stay. I went online and ordered everything we needed through Instacart. They deliver from PetSmart. Walmart delivers. I also found out that some Walgreens locations carry dog food and they also deliver.

Carry a copy of the ADA Law It’s unfortunate that service dogs still have access issues. I always carry a paper copy of the ADA service dog law with us. This gives me something official to show when we have a public access issue. The service dog program gave me an ID. I’ve found the copy of the service dog information from the ADA to be more effective. It’s easy for a restaurant or hotel to be skeptical of tags these days. It’s a little harder for them to argue when they’re holding a copy from the ADA.

These are the tips for how to travel with a service dog that I use. Did I miss one? What tips do you use? You can help another service dog team by leaving your travel tip in the comments below.