Traveling outside of the continental U.S. and Canada is even more complex than traveling domestically. This includes Hawaii, as the regulations there are far more complicated than in the rest of the United States or Canada.
Navigating U.S. Re-Entry
Let me begin with the simplest part of the process. If I travel outside of the contiguous United States, I need to complete a form required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that my dog’s rabies vaccination is up to date before returning to the U.S. This process is straightforward and completely automated. Within moments of submitting that form, I receive an email that acts as a receipt and can be used to re-enter the United States. This form is valid for six months from the date requested. However, and there’s always a “however,” the form is only valid for re-entering the U.S. from the specific location indicated on the form. So, this year, the two trips I took were to different countries, and I needed a new copy of the form for each trip.
Specialized Regulations for Hawaii
When traveling to Hawaii, I must fill out significantly more documentation and obtain a blood test for my dog to confirm the viability of his rabies vaccination. This is a very expensive test and requires a substantial amount of time to complete. It must be done in a specific way, and I’ve had to have it done multiple times when the procedure was incorrect. The criteria for the test are that a dog must be fasting, and the sample must be fresh. This test is only processed in one laboratory in Kansas City. This means the test needs to be performed early in the week so that the sample can arrive at the lab as quickly as possible. One time, I needed to get the test done three times because it was the wrong day of the week, and the veterinarian was not aware that the dog needed to be fasting. This won’t happen again to me, but it might happen to others.
The second requirement for traveling to Hawaii is that the dog must get a physical inspection by a veterinarian no more than two days prior to departure. During that visit, the vet must apply a topical medication for flea and tick prevention; it cannot be applied by the handler. So, I have the expense of the blood test, approximately $540, two visits to a vet if the tests are done correctly, and the cost of the topical medication. The medication requirement is particularly frustrating because that specific medication has now been found to be ineffective, so I am being required to put a chemical on my dog that can be problematic.
Inspection Upon Arrival in Hawaii
Once the handler and dog arrive in Hawaii, they must be inspected by a Department of Agriculture-certified veterinarian to ensure that the dog is not carrying any ticks or fleas and that the dog’s microchip matches the one on the paperwork. During my 2020 trip to Hawaii, the Agricultural Service veterinarian completed the inspection and then proceeded to say that I was free to go, but called my dog by my previous dog’s name. How on earth did he confuse a microchipped black male dog with a white female dog who has her own microchip? Didn’t he even look at the paperwork? He must have just seen my name on the file and pulled the wrong dog’s name from it.
The Honolulu Airport Mandate
When traveling to Hawaii, visitors can arrive at different airports on different islands in the state. However, if you are traveling with a service animal, you must land in Honolulu if you do not want to be charged an additional fee for the inspection of your animal. All the other islands do not have an inspection facility at the airport, and you must travel a short distance from the airport to a private veterinarian’s office. Since these private practices are not state employees, they must charge for the service even if the animal is a service dog. The last time I had to pay this fee, it was $340. From now on, we will travel to Honolulu every time, as we do enjoy the city and our friends there.
International Travel Hurdles
International travel presents additional problems. When I recently traveled to Ireland, I needed to get my dog’s travel approved by a veterinarian who was certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This approval required two visits and an extremely painful injection for the dog, and cost $600. Unfortunately, I happen to be traveling to one of the only two European Union countries that required this additional injection. Once again, we are seeing the “disability tax” for things that a person with a disability needs.
The Necessity of Research
What Research Do You Have to Do When You Travel?
When an individual with a service animal travels, a little preparation goes a long way. If you are traveling to a different country, it helps to know the laws and regulations of that country relevant to your service animal. We often assume that service animals are allowed everywhere that the public can go, but this may not be the case, not even in the U.S. or Canada. For example, some states and provinces do not allow service animals in hospitals or on pool decks.
It is very important to check the regulations for where you are traveling. Most of the service animal training facilities provide their graduates with information cards that list the law in their particular home city and country. A handler can always reach out and ask for additional cards for different locations, but it’s not automatic to think of this when preparing to travel. Able-bodied travelers check things like the weather and highly recommended restaurants, but how often do they have to check rules, regulations, and legal statutes to see where they are allowed to go?
Planning for a Smoother Journey
Traveling with a service animal, especially internationally or to places with specialized regulations like Hawaii, requires meticulous planning, significant financial outlay, and often navigating frustrating bureaucratic hurdles. The cumulative impact of mandated vet visits, expensive tests, and specific medication requirements—often referred to as a “disability tax”—demonstrates that for service animal handlers, travel preparation goes far beyond packing a suitcase.
Despite these complexities, the freedom and independence a service animal provides make the effort worthwhile. For any handler planning a trip, the key takeaway is the absolute necessity of diligent, early research into the destination’s specific laws and regulations. While the process can be demanding, proper preparation ensures a smoother journey, allowing the handler and their partner to focus on the experience, not on unexpected compliance issues.