Dogs on a plane a tough call for airlines

[Hvr]

Dogs on a plane a tough call for airlines
It's no exaggeration to say that, without her dogs, Monique Juniper could die.

A diabetic, Ms Juniper can experience debilitating crashes without warning, if it were not for her dog Luigi and the warning he gives when he smells that her glucose level is getting low.



Younger dog Nikolai is learning the trick, both are classed as helper dogs, vital to her wellbeing, helping her to get around.

...


In the case of airlines, CASA regulations provide for dogs to accompany people who are either visually or hearing impaired. Other kinds of assistance dogs are to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In practice, this means that airlines are left to create their own policies.


Ms Juniper is also planning a trip to Darwin, and says she would like to fly with Qantas. She is finding this difficult as well. Her dogs are accredited by a body recognised by Tiger, but not by Qantas.
Such discrepancies in airline policy is another reason why Ms Juniper is angry.

An interesting dilemma and one that needs to be resolved quickly for all concerned. We definitely do not want to go the way of the US where certification is often done by companies of dubious credibility.

 

[drron]

Diabetes assistance dogs are basically for those with Type 1 diabetes.The patient doesn't appear to fit that description.
Second why does she need to take 2 dogs?
Third on a plane she is in no danger of dying-plenty of people to witness her situation especially if the crew have been warned.
Fourth what is wrong with monitoring her blood glucose more frequently for the flight.
Fifth I suspect her HBA1C is well north of 7%.
And finally she doesn't even say if she is insulin dependent.

 

[opusman]

Can we get AussiePoochie's input on this subject?

 

[eric2011]

Diabetes assistance dogs are basically for those with Type 1 diabetes.The patient doesn't appear to fit that description.
Second why does she need to take 2 dogs?
Third on a plane she is in no danger of dying-plenty of people to witness her situation especially if the crew have been warned.
Fourth what is wrong with monitoring her blood glucose more frequently for the flight.
Fifth I suspect her HBA1C is well north of 7%.
And finally she doesn't even say if she is insulin dependent.

Plus one of the dogs is the size of a Shetland Pony

 

[CaviAck]

Plus one of the dogs is the size of a Shetland Pony

Can an airline use the hardship line for that dog? Considering it would be somewhat of an almost mammoth task to accommodate such a dog on a plane. I wonder how she would take it if the airline decides to charge her a fare for the dog(s).

 

[AVC]

cough.

How is she going to die from a hypo? On a plane? Come on.
Do her dogs administer glucose? What happens if she has a hypo at home alone?
Maybe her dogs are so special they can also dial 000.

Oh yeah, how she fit in an airline seat exactly?

 

[JohnK]

Agree it is not an easy one to assess. Always someone trying to game the system.

 

[opusman]

How about cats on a plane instead?

 

[medhead]

Or snakes on a plane.