We have all felt anxiety about going somewhere new with our service animal, and it can be even more stressful if where you're going is a country that doesn't speak your language and has different rules for service dogs.
I have been on over 14 trips with my fluffy guide dog eyes, and in this article I want to give you my top tips to help you skip the frustration and stress I felt when booking hotels. Let’s find the best hotels that meet your needs so you feel confident with your disability wherever you are.
What to know before taking your guide dog abroad in the first place?
In the US, you’ll need a health certificate, as well as other vaccination certificates. You can find out exactly what you need on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.
In my case (which is UK-specific), I had to get an Animal Health Certificate within five days of traveling.
When on a trip with YouTube in Spain, I was away for more than five days and needed to have my AHC reissued with a vet – this involved some communication difficulties due to the language barrier. Always be prepared by knowing the contact information and locations of nearby vets when you’re abroad: If I know that I’m going to need a vet, I ask the concierge at the hotel on my first day to help me make a call.
Pet food
Be aware that you cannot take most dog food on the plane with you in the cabin. Make sure you account for the weight of the dog food in your luggage so that your bag is not overweight, or if you can’t take it into the country that you’re visiting make sure you can order some when you’re away.
We did have a momentary struggle with translating when we were trying to order some of Molly’s dog food on the Swedish version of the Royal Canin pet food supplier website, but it turned up at the hotel, so we must have got it right!
My tip to find more resources before your trip
I personally have a guide dog who is registered under the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), but you can look at a list of service dog accreditations globally and if your dog fits in one of these schemes, they will explain what countries you can visit with them and what paperwork you need.
Always be aware that your dog has to have its harness and paperwork with them at all times and from an accredited school or organization.
The legislation changes from country to country
What I would say is when you’re in Europe, a lot of these rules and regulations do not apply to emotional support animals like they do in the USA. So please be aware that accreditation is needed. The UK and Europe have stricter laws for service animals than the US.
Also, research legislation about service animals within the country you are entering. I tried to get a taxi in Sweden with my guide dog and we were refused, but after a quick search on Google, I realized I didn’t have the same rights in Sweden to get into taxis as I do in the UK. This can be upsetting and jarring if you haven’t researched in advance, as in my case.
Be prepared when entering dining establishments that some countries have strict rules on catering facilities. For instance, I was told by some people when I was in Denmark that Molly was not allowed near food, whereas in the UK she is allowed to sit in restaurants.
Are service dogs allowed in hotels?
In the UK, it should be yes at all times but the answer gets a little complicated if you go abroad, so let’s discuss. I have had many problems with hotels in the UK and around the globe from staff members not being educated on the rights of my guide dog. However, I personally think it’s getting better and in the last few years staff education has improved.
My main piece of advice is that in most places that you visit when abroad, if the laws allow your service dog to be brought into buildings not related to food or hospitals, it tends to be ok.
What you have to be aware of is that some staff members will not know your animal’s rights so make sure you’re well versed, and I would even recommend printing a copy of the relevant legislation in their language.
MIUSA recommends contacting the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting for information on the policies and requirements of that country.
Can the hotel charge a fee for a service dog?
Not in the UK or USA (due to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA). There have been times when staff have tried to charge me but I’ve been able to get this waived.
Abroad, however, it really does depend on the local laws. I’ve never had a problem when traveling with my guide dog Molly around Europe. Sometimes, the hotel will get me to sign a waiver stating that if she damages anything it’s my responsibility and up to me to fund and fix, but there haven’t been any upfront charges.
What papers will I need to stay in a hotel with my service dog?
You don’t need anything in the US (or the UK). However, I do always carry Molly’s IGDF booklet given to me by Guide Dogs For The Blind.
In some countries (e.g., France), you can be asked to provide proof that your dog is a registered service dog. The French Federation can even provide an IGDF booklet in French if you contact them before you arrive in the country. However, according to the ADA, it’s illegal to ask for proof.
Tips on how to find the best hotel for you and your service dog
My best advice is to go to chain hotels that you know and have been to before. Marriott even has a service dog policy. I like to give my money to places that really do serve my community. This doesn’t always mean that you’re going to have a smooth check-in without any hiccups, but it does mean that you can not only lean on your knowledge of the legislation of the local area but also the policy of the hotel if a staff member is misinformed, which gives me great confidence.
I have also had very positive experiences at Hilton hotels and Premier Inns in the UK, but I do want to emphasize that this is subjective and that I am simply one blind person with a guide dog. Other ways that you can find out about hotels are disability forums, word of mouth, and reviews on TripAdvisor, which are easily accessible with my screen reader. Perhaps you could even call the hotel before booking.
What about apartments, houses, and other rentals?
My main advice for this is to go to a corporate chain that has a great policy like Airbnb.
One problem that we’ve had in the past with going for private rentals is that it’s definitely a gray area. It has made me upset a few times trying to chat with an individual owner of a holiday home who will simply not allow dogs and doesn’t make any exceptions.
Bottom line: I don’t want to put myself and my family through that again, so I stick to chain hotels. Again this doesn’t mean you won’t encounter any problems, but here I feel safer and more comfortable being myself and advocating for my disability.
Are there specific regulations by country?
I found this super helpful resource that was collected by charities across the EU about specific guide dog legislation.
Another good resource would be to check which countries have a registered ADI or IGDF school – I personally wouldn’t go with guide dog Miss Molly to countries without schools. For example, a lot of places in the Middle East do not have training programs for service dogs, and on some Saudi airlines like Saudia, they would place the service dog in the hold which is not something that happens in the UK.
The Saudia airline policy states that “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allows the entry of Hunting/Guard/Seeing-Eye and Hearing dogs for blind and deaf passengers only,” so bear this in mind if you have other disabilities. In conclusion, make sure you research so that you can feel comfortable before you travel – this is a very important aspect of your trip planning.
What else should I know?
Make sure your service dog can go to the bathroom on all terrains, as there may not be a specific area near your accommodation when abroad.
