While many expect to see Golden Retrievers or German Shepards, service dogs can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Mine is an Alaskan Klee Kai named Whiteface. He weighs sixteen pounds and stands about a foot tall to the shoulder. Whiteface is two years old and quickly became my best friend. When I first purchased this little bundle of fluff, I had no idea he would become an emotional support dog. Like nearly 40 million other citizens of the United States, I have been diagnosed and am treated for an anxiety disorder. After purchasing Whiteface, I noticed that I began having more good days than bad days. Focusing on his needs gave me an outlet for my nervous energy. When panic attacks did set in, my very astute companion came to sit with me until they settled. So, when the time came for me to fly I sought out a way to take Whiteface with me.

After receiving a note from my doctor stating that he does in fact treat me for my anxiety and purchasing a red vest labeled ESA (Emotional Support Animal), we were ready for our first flight. I was very nervous about taking Whiteface to the airport as it was not required to have him in a carrier. I was quite happy about this fact but did not want to disturb other passengers with my little buddy. Whiteface was very excited about his new adventure and his new vest. As soon as he put on this attire, you could tell he was in work mode. This unfortunately, did not stop him from pooping on the floor of the airport as soon as we walked in. I will say that regardless how many times we walk before we go on plane trips, Whiteface has taken to marking the airports. Luckily, the airport staff is usually very nice and I often travel with some kind of sanitizing wipes.

We cannot print our tickets out online anymore so we usually check a bag and then check in Whiteface. Once his paperwork is okayed we wait in line at security. Usually Whiteface garners a lot of stares but he mostly lays down until we are at the front. Then we walk through the metal detectors, as Whiteface is not allowed to go through the full body scanner. The TSA agents are always very friendly to him and I greatly appreciate this fact. Sometimes children will ask to pet him. Even though Whiteface is working, I sometimes let children say hello to him. He really enjoys the attention.

Fellow travelers are usually more than happy to see him in the airport and on the plane. The same cannot always be said for flight attendants who are not always thrilled that Whiteface doesn’t have a carrier or that he persists on sitting on my lap. I have often defended my dogs right to sit on my lap as the rules surrounding his travel state that as long as the dog can comfortably sit on your lap they may do so. I’ve seen many articles out there echoing the anti-ESA sentiment to which I hope this article may give you an alternative perspective. Those who travel with an ESA do not do so lightly. We do not wish to disrupt other passengers or be a spectacle.

Traveling with Whiteface is a much better experience than traveling without him. He offers me a constant companion, someone who understands what I am feeling when my plane is delayed or when I am running late. He truly is a best friend and now a very experienced world traveler.