Definitions of Terms

• Service Animal – According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. * Service animals are working animals, not pets.
  • The ADA does not apply outside of the United States and other countries may define service animals differently. In some cases, other countries may be more restrictive in their definition of a service animal or may require additional information about the animal and the disability for which it is trained to service.
• Emotional Support Animal (ESA) – An emotional support animal is any animal that provides emotional support alleviating one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. According to the ADA, an emotional support animal is an animal that provides comfort just by being with a person.** Emotional support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but they do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. They are not limited to dogs and are likely to be considered pets by most vendors.
• Pet – A pet is a domesticated animal that is kept for pleasure rather than utility. The ADA describes pets as animals that are generally for companionship and emotional support but aren’t trained for specific tasks related to a disability.

WorldStrides only accepts service animals on program activities, not emotional support animals or pets. For U.S. programs, participants will need to confirm (1) that the animal is a service animal due to a disability and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. For international programs, the service animal must comply with the requirements of the program destinations. Throughout the program, the service animal must always remain under the control of the participant. The service animal can never be left alone in housing accommodations or on the motorcoach during scheduled activities or excursions. A service animal may be removed from the program if it demonstrates aggressive or persistent disruptive behavior; poses a threat to staff or participants; or there are unaddressed hygiene concerns.

There are important logistics to coordinate when traveling with a service animal. We have outlined a few points below that are typically the most critical. Although not an exhaustive list, it is a place to start your planning:

• Housing Considerations
  • Participants should speak with their Program Leader or WorldStrides representative in advance about their housing options (e.g., roommates, room occupancy, etc.).
  • Participants are responsible for making sure the service animal complies with all housing rules, including noise restrictions and cleanliness.
  • If a service animal must leave the property for failure to comply with the housing’s rules, the participant is responsible for any alternative housing costs. In some instances, including for minors, alternative housing may not be permitted, and the participant may have to return home early.
• Program Activities
  • Some program activities may not be appropriate for or allow a service animal, and the participant may not be able to join the activity.
  • Once your program itinerary is confirmed, WorldStrides can advise if any of the scheduled activities have restrictions for service animals.
• Animal Care Plan
  • Participants traveling with service animals should have a care plan to determine when and how their animal’s specific needs will be met during the program.
  • Program days are often long. Participants will need to consider feeding times and supplies, access to relief areas and waste disposal supplies, and other considerations to help their service animal remain happy and healthy.
• Financial Considerations
  • Participants are responsible for all costs associated with feeding and caring for their service animal.
  • Traveling with a service animal may incur additional costs.
  • When making a budget for your program, you will want to factor in these costs.
  • WorldStrides will always try to mitigate costs where possible, but any additional fees are the participant’s responsibility.
• Emergency Situations
  • Consider how you will care for your service animal if they become ill or injured during the program and need veterinary care.
  • Consider who will care for your service animal in an emergency, such as if you are in an accident or hospitalized while traveling, or if there is a large-scale event in your program location necessitating an evacuation.
    • The plan is always to keep the service animal with you; however, some rare and extreme emergency situations may necessitate leaving the animal behind.

What You Need to Know Before Bringing a Service Animal on Your WorldStrides Program

This resource is intended to help participants start planning for their program if they will be accompanied by a service animal. Whether on a domestic or international program, there are certain factors to consider when traveling with your service animal and you will want to begin your research as early as possible. Traveling to some international program locations can require at least a year of planning. Participants are responsible for understanding all logistical and financial arrangements related to traveling with a service animal.  Participants are encouraged to disclose to WorldStrides as soon as practicable if they intend to bring a service animal on their program.

Additional Considerations for International Programs

• ADA
  • The ADA does not apply abroad. Each country may have different policies and regulations, and it is important to research all countries on your program itinerary.
• Timeline
  • Program countries have varying required lead times and restrictions for permission to import a service animal. Participants should begin researching the rules and regulations of their chosen program countries as early as possible to allow ample time to meet the destination specific requirements. Failure to do so could result in delayed travel, the service animal being denied entry, or other consequences.
• Vaccination Requirements
  • Some program countries may need proof of vaccinations and/or other health records before entry. In addition to documentation, blood tests with varying time restrictions may also be needed for importing a service animal.
• Quarantine
  • Many program countries have a required quarantine for all animals, including service animals. Participants should anticipate being without their service animal during quarantine and have arrangements for retrieving the animal when they are cleared for entry.
• Animal Passport or other documentation
  • While transporting a service animal between program locations, an Animal Passport or other documentation may be requested by customs personnel.
• Airline policies
  • It is important to research your airline’s policies and what documentation is required to travel with your service animal.
  • If you are travelling on a multi-country program that includes flights between program locations, understand the requirements for the airlines you will use once abroad.
• Housing
  • Some housing providers may have additional restrictions for accepting animals, including service animals, on their property.
  • While WorldStrides will always try to accommodate first choice housing preference, there may be occasions that the request cannot be met due to the preferred housing provider’s restrictions. Any additional costs for alternative housing will be the participant’s responsibility.
• Re-entry to the U.S. or your home country
  • Animals re-entering the U.S. are subject to the same entry requirements as animals entering for the first time.
  • According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even service animals are subject to re-entry requirements, which vary depending on where the animal is coming from (i.e., the program country or countries). ***
  • Make sure to research and complete all re-entry requirements timely so your return is not delayed. Participants are responsible for any costs incurred if their return is delayed.

What’s Next

With advance planning, traveling with a service animal is possible. If you are ready to request more information on the process or would like to confirm that you will be bringing a service animal with you, please contact your Program or Account Manager to discuss next steps.

References

* ADA service animal:
Service animals 2010 requirements

** ADA Emotional Support Animal:
Service Animal FAQ – Exclusion of Service Animals

***CDC animal importation into the U.S.:
Bringing an animal into the US