What is the story and what’s been done so far:

Initially, I reached out to CTA when I encountered issues with West Jet and my service dog is both trained by an organization/trainer through an owner training module and certified by the BC government, and at the time I had a temporary certification from Nova Scotia as well as I was granted it for my travels there.

I ended up learning of the new regulations for the ATPDR through the Canadian transport act in September 2021. I had flown multiple times prior with little issues. I was told this isn’t new, just that airlines were adapting it because they didn’t want ESAs on board.

West Jet did let me fly after a few emails back and forth.

I then began a petition at https://chng.it/SQnVC7HL

another handler reached out, and we began working together to Write more letters and try and get the media involved.

I filed a group human rights complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. I have heard nothing from them whatsoever. This was filed in December 2021.

I wrote all the government agencies I could find, my MP, MLA, BC Guide and Service Dog security services, all the Canadian Airlines, and recieved only three letters back. One from the Transportation Minister passing it off to the CTA, one from the CTA blaming the airlines, and one from the BC government security services saying sorry you encountered this, we will look into it.

I recieved a phone call from Westjet, because the person reading the email was so moved and upset that this was happening, and off the books, she told me how to approach West Jet when booking my service dog for next time.

CBC was going to do a piece on it, but nothing has happened since they interviewed. I’m guessing we aren’t interesting enough with all the other stuff going on in the world.

Another handler joined us in our letter writing and then two more began to help. We have all worked hard and gotten some answers.

Currently, When booking with Westjet, you have to be very specific on tasks that your service dog does. They may ask for proof of training at the airport.

Air Canada is a bit different because they require a form to be filled out. If you trained your dog, your name goes on trainer portion. Then you will have to show that your dog is trained. If you failed to keep logs, certificates of classes you took with your dog, etc. then you likely will not be flying. They may ask to see this prooof at the airport as well.

If you have a letter from a trainer, make sure that trainer states they trained your service dog to do tasks and are safe in public.The trainer should be accredited by the CAPDT, the CASDT, ADI, or an international accreditation that can be looked up and shows a list of accredited trainers. If they are not, you may have issues getting on the plane.

If you have certification through the governments of Alberta, Nova Scotia or British Columbia, you can for example,
write the BCJI and the bc guide and service dog phone number on the trainer, this has worked for some. If you had a trainer, write that on the form though and just include a copy of the certification.

If you are denied, try asking them why. Then you can ask CTA to mediate. If that fails, then you have to file a hrc with the Canadian Human rights commission. It doesn’t cost anything and you don’t need a lawyer. You just write the facts and send it to them. Not doing so just allows the CTA and airlines to continue with the discrimination.

Write letters. It makes a difference even if you hear nothing back.

I wrote more letters when I tried to book with Air Canada just to see what would happen during this process… I knew I could fly with West Jet, but I booked with Air Canada anyways. They denied me initially. I wrote many letters. They reversed their decision and I did not have to mediate with the CTA. But it took time.

Other handlers have written letters. One I know did have to mediate with the CTA in the end. It took a few months, but she did get Air Canada to reverse the decision. She is an owner trainer who had some training with a company and is certified in both BC and Alberta.

Air Canada says that things are changing for service dogs that have been certified and they are being better at allowing service dog trainers. Keep writing. It makes a difference.

That’s all for now folks. We keep writing, because in the last 8 months we have made some differences. And we will continue to do so. Please continue to help by writing letters and sharing/signing the petition.