BVA Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. was quoted in a Washington Post investigative report this week that highlighted the difficulty in keeping fake service animals off planes while at the same time assuring that all legally blind persons with trained guide dogs are allowed to fly. The article reported on the increased difficulty in taking guide dogs onto flights since new Department of Transportation rules took effect in January 2021. 

The original intent of the regulations, however, was to help blind air travelers by cracking down on a rise in passengers passing off untrained pets as service or emotional support animals. To read the full article, including Don’s comment about traveling with a guide dog, click here.