Vacationing with your Florida Service Dog
Vacationing with your Florida service dog will be an amazing experience! With just a little extra research and planning you can be on the road, in the air, or on the high seas having the time of your life! Your assistance dog is by your side for all of your life experiences and vacations should not be an exception.
Let’s take a look at accommodations first. Your service dog is permitted to stay in any hotel or state room available to any other non-disabled passenger. By law you may not be designated to a “pet friendly” room, nor may you be charged any additional pet deposit. The hotel may not prohibit your Florida service dog from access to any area where non-disabled guests may travel. If you are cruising, you must notify the cruise line at the time of booking to provide them ample time to make the necessary arrangements to provide a “potty area” for your assistance dog. It is your responsibility to find out about regulations concerning debarkation for service dogs into the ports of call you plan to visit. If your dog is not permitted to enter the country, then you must either enlist a member of your travel party to remain behind, or plan to do so yourself. At no time should an assistance dog be left alone in a hotel or state room. It is not the responsibility of the employees to care for your animal or provide food or water.
While we are on the subject of feeding, be sure to plan ahead for your service dogs dietary requirements. Most travelers find it very helpful to break down individual servings of dry food into zip lock bags verses carrying a large container. Do the same with treats, and always bring a couple of days more than you think you will need if you should run into unexpected delays. It’s worth the investment to purchase collapsible water and food bowls for lightweight portability. Remember to pack any medications your dog may require and if you are traveling for an extended time you should also include grooming aids.
Approved potty sites are an important planning factor when traveling. Some hotels have designated an area for service dogs to relieve themselves and all cruise lines have done the same. Be sure to check with the hotel staff about such a designated space and if there is not one, you should seek out an unobtrusive spot to walk your assistance dog – remembering always to pick up after him/her. On a cruise ship there will typically be a 4 x 4 box filled with mulch, grass, or paper pellets for potty purposes, and you must clean up after your assistance dog here as well. If you are not happy with the location of the box in proximity to your stateroom, be sure to ask for it to be relocated. Frequent cruisers with assistance dogs suggest bringing along your companions favorite filler to make it a comfortable experience.
Most airlines have specific policies that they follow for passengers traveling with a Florida service dog. The crew will want to make the necessary arrangements to make your boarding experience as easy as possible so call ahead to let them know you are traveling with a service dog. Some seats are more comfortable than other for you and your assistance dog so plan ahead. If you can fly on a direct flight do so. It will make air travel much less stressful for you and your companion. A great tip is to exercise your dog before boarding and limit access to water immediately before the flight.
Due to ever changing world politics, changes are constantly being made to the security screening process at airports. You should always be respectful of security personnel and keep your assistance dog under control and leashed or harnessed at all times. Keep in mind that TSA personnel are not allowed to ask you to be separated from your dog and they may not require you to remove the leash or harness. Don’t be intimidated; politely and firmly ask for a supervisor if you feel your rights are being infringed upon.
When it comes to sightseeing or visiting major attractions you must consider the impact it might have on your service dog. Large crowds can be hard to navigate, and city’s known for populations of stray dogs are probably not a great idea. Also consider the time of the year and the climate of your destination.
Vacationing with your assistance dog takes a little bit of extra planning, and perhaps adds a little extra weight to your luggage but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the world with your Florida service dog at your side! 
