Getting an ESA Travel Letter in Vermont: What’s Changed Since 2021

Getting an ESA Travel Letter in Vermont: What’s Changed Since 2021

Traveling with an emotional support animal (ESA) used to be much simpler—especially before 2021. But recent federal changes have reshaped the way airlines recognize emotional support animals, and Vermont residents need to be aware of how these changes impact their travel plans.

What Happened in 2021?

In early 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) updated its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations. This decision allowed airlines to no longer recognize emotional support animals as service animals, giving them the authority to treat ESAs as pets rather than necessary travel accommodations.

For Vermont travelers, this meant the ESA letter that once guaranteed a spot for their companion on a plane was no longer enough. Each airline could now set its own rules about whether an emotional support animal was allowed in the cabin—and many chose not to allow them at all.

What’s the Situation Now in Vermont?

Today, if you live in Vermont and want to bring your animal with you when flying, you’ll likely face stricter requirements. Most major airlines require your animal to meet the definition of a psychiatric service dog (PSD) in order to travel in the cabin without extra pet fees.

Unlike emotional support animals, a PSD is a dog that has been trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s mental health condition—such as grounding during anxiety attacks or interrupting repetitive behaviors. With the right documentation, PSDs are still protected under the ACAA and allowed to fly at no additional cost.

This is where PetCerts.com steps in.

How PetCerts.com Helps Vermont Residents

If you’ve previously relied on an ESA letter to travel but have been grounded by recent rule changes, PetCerts.com can help you upgrade your documentation to reflect your animal’s role as a psychiatric service dog.

Our service provides legitimate, reliable letters that support your housing and travel rights under federal law. Whether you're based in Burlington, Montpelier, or anywhere else in the Green Mountain State, we make the process seamless, confidential, and fast—entirely online.

Why This Matters

With airports busier than ever and airlines tightening their rules, having the correct documentation is essential. Vermont residents with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other qualifying conditions still have the right to travel with a trained PSD—but only if they have the right paperwork.

And with PetCerts.com, you don’t need to wonder if your letter will hold up—we ensure it meets current federal guidelines for both housing and travel.