Assistance Animals In South Carolina
Ground Transportation
The ADA requires that Service Dogs must be allowed on ground transportation including:
- Local buses
- Taxis
- Ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft
- Long distance buses like Greyhound
- Trains such as AMTRAK rail service
- US Department of Transportation regulations provide that Service Animals are not limited to dogs (or miniature horses), as in other parts of the ADA. A Service Animal can be any animal specifically trained to work or perform tasks for an person with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding people with impaired vision, alerting people with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. The animal must still be trained for a specific task; there is no right have an Emotional Support Animal in ground transportation.
Air Travel
The federal Air Carrier Access Act provides rights for air travelers with disabilities. The US Department of Transportation is responsible. Currently, airlines are required to allow passengers to travel with a Service Dog in the cabin, at no extra cost. Until the regulations were changed in December 2020, airlines were also required to allow passengers to fly with Emotional Support Animals. A wide variety of animals were allowed on-board with only a few exceptions. Due to concerns for safety, the regulations were changed to allow only Service Dogs. An Emotional Support Animal can still fly if pets are allowed by the airline, but would be subject to any pet fees, and may not be allowed in the passenger compartment.
While no longer requiring free transportation for Emotional Support Animals, the Department of Transportation specially recognized that there are Service Dogs assisting people with mental health disabilities.
The Department of Transportation also allows airlines to require a signed statement about a dog’s training and vaccination status. There are federal requirements (49 CFR § 27.71) that airlines work with airports to ensure there are appropriate Service Dog relief areas (SARA) at most airports.
Note: The airport itself is governed under the ADA and regulations of the US Department of Justice. Complaints about the airport services should be made to the Department of Justice. Complaints about individual airlines should be made to the US Department of Transportation. Note: To maintain its status as a non-rabies state, Hawaii requires quarantine of all dogs/cats entering the state, though this may be waived for Service Dogs when proper paperwork has been submitted in advance. Generally, travelers must fly into the Honolulu airport unless prior arrangements are made. Also dogs must have a chip to clearly identify them.