Originally published 2019-12-21. Article reviewed on October 4, 2026. Original publication: 2019-12-21.
Holiday travel with a Service Dog doesn’t have to be stressful. By following a few simple tips, you can reduce any difficulties associated with bringing your partner along for Christmas celebrations.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Preparing ahead for holiday travel solves many potential problems. If you’re flying, call the airline and let them know about your Service Dog. If you’re driving, look up good spots to stop so your Service Dog can stretch their legs. Having a solid plan in place means you don’t have to think about details on the day of travel. Preparing ahead also means packing for your dog. Divvy out individual meals and put your Service Dog’s gear in a small bag so it’s easily accessed. Bring extra food, medication, treats, and copies of documentation. It’s better to have a bit too much and not need it than to need more and not have it. If you’re traveling for an extended period, consider purchasing a bag of food once you reach your destination instead of trying to fly with or pack enough for several days.
Understand Travel Buddies May Not “Get It”
People who don’t routinely see you working with your Service Dog may not entirely understand what your partner does for you. Many people are lucky to have friends and family who support their Service Dog, but some teams might face criticism, disdain, or other difficulties when they return home for the holidays. Be prepared to enforce boundaries concerning your partner, especially regarding access and interaction. Many holiday guests may not “get” that your partner is working for you while around the house, so be sure to be clear about when your Service Dog is on duty and when they’re off duty.
If there are children, consider using a visual cue that your partner is working or not. A bandana often works well for this. If your Service Dog has a bandana on, it’s like an invisibility cloak and the kids should pretend they can’t even see your dog. If your dog isn’t wearing a bandana, then they may be petted or played with. If you’d prefer that no one interacts with your partner except for you, then enforce that from the very beginning. Be clear and consistent in your expectations.
Stick to a Routine
Try to avoid changing your Service Dog’s routine during holiday travel if at all possible. If your partner generally eats at 10 am and 3 pm, do your best to stick to that schedule. If you usually go for a stroll around 7, try to get out and about around that time. Keep in mind that time zones don’t mean anything to your dog. Sticking to a familiar routine will give your Service Dog an anchor of sorts to rely on when all kinds of other things about the day — the people, activity levels, outings, weather, etc. — vary from the expected. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise and rest throughout each day. They need the outlet and downtime to recover, just like people.
Bring familiar food and keep fresh water available. Ask your veterinarian for an individual travel care plan; do not give an anti-diarrheal or other medicine without guidance about the cause, dose and suitability for your dog.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Break
Traveling and extra social interactions can take a lot out of both you and your Service Dog. Don’t be afraid to take a break for either yourself or your partner. If you notice your dog isn’t quite themselves or they’re behaving in a way that isn’t typical for them, they might need some time to chill and recover. The same goes for you! If you need some extra rest or alone time, take some.
Safety First
Keep decorations, alcohol and unsuitable foods out of reach. Xylitol is dangerous to dogs; not every sugar substitute has the same risk. Poinsettias can cause irritation or stomach upset, but the former claim that they commonly cause lethal reactions was incorrect. Contact a veterinarian about suspected poisoning.
For flights to, within or from the United States, check the airline’s current process and applicable DOT forms. Air travel follows the Air Carrier Access Act, rather than ordinary ADA public-access rules. International entry rules may also apply.