🐕‍🦺 Essential Checklist for Air Travel, Road Trips & Accommodations with Your Service Dog

📋 Critical Legal Documentation (Must-Have)

• Service animal identification card
• Health certificate from veterinarian (within 10 days)
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Complete vaccination records
• Service animal training certification
• Letter from licensed healthcare provider
• DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (for flying)
• State/local registration (if required)
• Microchip documentation
• Emergency contact information
• Travel insurance documents
• Backup copies of all documents (digital & physical)
• ADA rights summary card
• Handler's identification

🐕 Service Animal Identification & Gear

• Official service animal harness/vest
• Backup harness/vest
• Service animal patches/identifiers
• Reflective/LED safety gear
• Sturdy leash (6-foot maximum)
• Backup leash
• Retractable leash (for appropriate areas)
• Collar with ID tags
• GPS tracking collar
• "Do Not Pet" patches
• Working animal signage
• Handler contact tags
• Medical alert tags (if applicable)
• Traffic light/busy area gear

💊 Health & Medical Supplies

• All prescribed medications (labeled)
• Medication administration schedule
• First aid kit for dogs
• Thermometer (digital, dog-specific)
• Flea/tick prevention
• Heartworm prevention
• Eye wash/drops
• Paw balm/protection
• Antiseptic wipes
• Bandages and gauze
• Emergency vet contact list
• Local veterinarian information
• Poison control hotline info
• Health monitoring log

🍽️ Food & Water Essentials

• Regular dog food (travel supply + extra)
• Travel food containers (sealed)
• Collapsible food bowls
• Collapsible water bowls
• Water bottles for dog
• Portable water dispenser
• High-value training treats
• Emergency food rations
• Feeding schedule chart
• Can opener (if using canned food)
• Food storage bags
• Spill-proof travel mats
• Water purification tablets
• Electrolyte supplements (dog-safe)

🛏️ Comfort & Rest Items

• Portable dog bed/mat
• Travel blanket
• Familiar comfort items
• Favorite toy (quiet)
• Calming aids (if approved by vet)
• Travel crate (if needed)
• Crate padding
• Noise-reducing headphones (for dogs)
• Sleep mask (for rest areas)
• Temperature control items
• Cooling vest (hot weather)
• Warming coat (cold weather)
• Booties for paw protection
• Portable fan

✈️ Air Travel Specific Items

• DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form
• Airline notification (48 hours prior)
• TSA disability notification card
• Airport layout/relief area maps
• In-cabin service animal kit
• Waste disposal bags
• Disinfecting wipes
• Absorbent pads
• Calming supplements (vet-approved)
• Noise-canceling protection
• Under-seat positioning gear
• Flight crew information packet
• Emergency landing protocols
• Aircraft relief schedule

🚗 Road Trip Essentials

• Car safety harness/restraint
• Backseat barriers
• Window shades/sun protection
• Car seat covers
• Travel anxiety aids
• Motion sickness medication
• Frequent stop schedule
• Rest area maps
• Exercise leash
• Portable fencing
• Car escape tool
• Temperature monitoring device
• Emergency roadside kit
• GPS with pet-friendly stops

🏨 Accommodation Essentials

• Hotel confirmation (service animal noted)
• Room setup requirements
• Floor protection mats
• Furniture protection covers
• Room deodorizer
• Lint rollers
• Vacuum (portable)
• Night light for safety
• Do not disturb signs
• Blackout curtains (if needed)
• White noise machine
• Emergency exit plan
• Local emergency services info
• Housekeeping instructions

🧼 Grooming & Hygiene

• Dog-safe shampoo
• Grooming brush/comb
• Nail clippers
• Ear cleaning solution
• Dental care items
• Waste disposal bags (multiple rolls)
• Odor eliminator spray
• Cleaning wipes
• Lint removal tools
• Deodorizing spray
• Paw wipes
• Waterless shampoo
• Towels (quick-dry)
• Hair collection tools

🎯 Training & Behavior Tools

• Training treats (high-value)
• Clicker (if used in training)
• Training commands reference
• Behavior management tools
• Redirection toys
• Focus enhancement aids
• Public access training reminders
• Stress signals monitoring chart
• Training session schedule
• Positive reinforcement rewards
• Emergency behavior protocols
• Handler communication tools
• Service task reminders
• Training equipment backup

🌡️ Weather-Specific Gear

Hot Weather:

• Cooling vest/bandana
• Paw protection booties
• Portable shade structure
• Extra water supplies
• Cooling mats
• Sun protection gear

Cold Weather:

• Insulated coat/jacket
• Paw warmers/booties
• Thermal blankets
• Wind protection gear
• Ice melt protection
• Emergency warmth items

Rainy Weather:

• Waterproof coat
• Paw drying towels
• Umbrella (handler)
• Quick-dry gear
• Waterproof equipment bags
• Indoor exercise alternatives

🚨 Emergency Preparedness

• Emergency contact list (laminated)
• Veterinary emergency numbers
• Animal poison control hotline
• Local animal control contacts
• Emergency cash fund
• Backup handler arrangements
• Alternative transportation plans
• Emergency boarding options
• Lost dog action plan
• Recent photos of service animal
• Emergency supplies kit
• Signal whistle
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Emergency food/water (3-day supply)

📱 Technology & Communication

• Service animal ID apps
• GPS tracking device
• Emergency alert system
• Vet telemedicine apps
• Weather monitoring apps
• Travel safety apps
• Backup phone/charger
• Portable power bank
• Emergency communication device
• Camera for documentation
• Voice recording app
• Translation apps (international travel)
• Offline maps
• Digital document storage

🏥 Special Medical Needs

• Diabetic alert supplies (if applicable)
• Seizure response equipment
• Mobility assistance gear
• Medical alert devices
• Psychiatric service tools
• PTSD support items
• Sensory processing aids
• Communication assistance tools
• Medication reminders
• Health monitoring equipment
• Emergency medical protocols
• Handler medical information
• Medical device backups
• Treatment schedule charts

📋 Pre-Travel Checklist

• Confirm all reservations note service animal
• Verify destination service animal laws
• Schedule pre-travel vet check
• Update all identification tags
• Test all equipment functionality
• Review emergency procedures
• Prepare handler support network
• Confirm travel insurance coverage
• Research pet-friendly stops
• Plan exercise/relief schedules
• Prepare legal rights summary
• Organize all documentation
• Create daily care schedule
• Establish communication protocols

⚖️ Know Your Rights (Reference)

• 📖 ADA public access rights summary
• 📖 Air Carrier Access Act provisions
• 📖 Fair Housing Act protections
• 📖 State/local law variations
• 📖 International travel requirements
• 📖 Transportation service rights
• 📖 Accommodation request procedures
• 📖 Complaint filing processes
• 📖 Emergency advocacy contacts
• 📖 Legal assistance resources

🖨️ Print This Service Animal Travel Packing List