International access issues for persons service dogs
 

I am currently partnered with a miniature pinscher that I use for my severe depression and avoident personality disorder. I hoping to be able to visit various countries throughout Europe. In the Unites States I have no issues taking my service dog partner anywhere open to the general public. I do know that there are laws in Canada which I have had no difficulty in locating through various sources on the internet. I have found several organizations which claim to be international however the only information they offer on accessability are refferences to the American with Disabilities Act without any information about accessability law in other countries. Does anyone know where I might I be able to find information about accesability of service animals in countries other than the United Sates or Canada? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You don't say which countries you're visiting, but here's some links to a couple of UK government websites (the Disabilty Rights Commission) on the matter:

http://www.drc.org.uk/whatwedo/publi...&section=1

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeo...p;chk=%2BPaJtS

I'm not sure if there's EU-wide laws governing accessibility for assistance dogs.

You should also check on the rules for taking a dog across borders. You need a pet passport. This UK Gov site outlines the EU regulations:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...ion/eu_reg.htm

Earlier this year, MikeyandElla posted a thread about his adventures in Europe with his service dog (who was allowed to fly in cabin with him). Here's the thread

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34590553

Don't know if he has posted recently, but he might be able to answer some of your questions.

Also see:

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/tr...lcustoms.shtml

and

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/pets2/public/en_us

Be sure to check regulations with your airline provider.

And check here: http://www.pettravel.com/

Do you have your dog through an official sort of scheme? Is it a properly trained assistance dog? Assistance dogs in the UK wear identifying harnesses/coats of some sort and this helps gain access to places. In the UK it is illegal to discriminate against disabled people by not permitting their assistance dogs to accompany them, even into restaurants etc. You might face a few quibbles as you are not obviously physically disabled and I'm not sure the UK has started using mental health assistance dogs yet.