I’ve lived with debilitating panic attacks since childhood, and they are often triggered by flying, which is far from ideal when your content creator job requires airline travel multiple times a month. Flying had gotten so stressful that I considered giving up travel writing entirely — until I found the ultimate travel companion: my service dog, Poppy. Poppy is trained to alert me moments before I notice a panic attack is coming on and then assist me during the terrifying time it lasts. She now travels with me everywhere and we’ve enjoyed dozens of trips together from Mexico to Europe.

Last month, she hit her 98th flight in three years on a trip to Costa Navarino, Greece, to experience the seafront, design-forward (and dog-friendly) W Costa Navarino luxury resort about three hours southwest of Athens. Packing for travel with a service dog takes a little extra planning, but after doing it so regularly for so long, it’s a routine I’d say I’ve become an expert at. Although some of what I pack changes with the destination, I have a list of 12 staples that come with me on every trip, all of which are available at Amazon.

Albcorp Service Dog Vest

Poppy never leaves home without her service dog vest. It not only helps identify she is not a pet when we are traveling, but it also signals to Poppy that it’s time to work. This means no barking (unless she’s alerting me to a panic attack), ignoring other dogs, and sitting quietly at my feet on airplanes and in restaurants. It also subtly alerts bystanders that she’s working, deterring them from petting her without asking or thinking I’m trying to dine with my pet Chiweenie.

There is no such thing as an “official” service dog vest in the U.S., just like there is no such thing as service dog certification papers. The Americans With Disabilities Act defines a service animal as any dog or miniature horse individually trained to perform a task in the aid of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. This training does not have to be done by a service dog organization; the person with the disability can do it.  Furthermore, the ADA states that “covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that an animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.” The same rules apply when taking a service dog on a plane.

Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock

This airplane foot hammock is my best service dog flight hack for long-haul flights in economy. It keeps my legs and feet elevated for the flight so Poppy and I don’t have to fight over floor space. I simply clip this memory foam cushioned hammock around my tray table and then arrange Poppy’s flight blanket on the floor below. With my feet up, she has room to move around. Poppy is only 13 pounds and can easily fit under the seat in front of us, but my first service dog, Bobbi, was a 65-pound Pit Bull mix, and scrunching herself under the seat for eight- to 10-hour flights was uncomfortable. With the hammock, you and your working pup have plenty of space. Plus, having my legs elevated during a long-haul flight sitch is way more comfortable.

Youalso Rhinestone Bling Dog Collar

Poppy gets so many compliments when she wears this blingy collar made with soft suede that isn’t rough against her neck. Whether we were feasting on fresh seafood at the beachfront restaurant Parelia or chilling poolside at the W Costa Navarino in Greece, we were approached by more than one guest asking if Pops was canine royalty with a “diamond collar like that.” I didn’t have the heart to tell them we’d bought it for the price of a drink at the bar at Amazon. 

I’ve also been impressed with how well this collar has held up despite its $12 price tag. Poppy has been wearing it consistently for nine months now, and it is still in good shape and shows no signs of tearing.  

JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Complete Meal

Poppy is a picky eater. After all, she’s used to chefs creating her special menus when on our travels — on a recent trip to Seattle’s very dog-friendly Fairmont Olympic Hotel, which just celebrated its 100th birthday, the chef at its iconic oyster bar, Shuckers, cooked her a special rib-eye to take back to the room. With treats like this, it’s hard to convince her to eat dog food on trips.

The exception is JustFoodForDogs, now on my essential packing list for all domestic trips. Perfect for checked luggage, the food comes in easy-to-pack, 12.5-ounce boxes in a six-pack and is made from high-quality ingredients. This is honestly the only dog food Poppy will touch when we travel (everything else has her going on a hunger strike for days). I couldn’t afford this if Poppy were a large dog, but a box lasts three days at her weight. The food can also be used as a meal topper and mixed in with kibble to make it last longer.

Asoubu Dog Bowl and Human Travel Water Bottle

I never go anywhere without this insulated 33-ounce stainless steel water bottle with a detachable dog bowl at the base. I love how easy it is to remove and reattach the bowl and that the bottle has an easy-grip handle that can be clipped onto a backpack. It also keeps water chilled on long flights and can hold more water than the typical bottle. Grab it now while it’s an extra 20 percent off. 

ZoooBelives Ultralight Compressible Sleeping Bag

When we fly, I always pack the same ultralight weight and compressible sleeping bag for Poppy to use as a bed on the airplane floor. I like this product because it packs so small and doesn’t take up much room or add weight to my carry-on luggage; it weighs less than 2 pounds. It also unzips completely to become like a comforter, letting her kick it into the perfect little nest for long flights. It is also on sale for 30 percent off. 

Rollink Flex Vega 21-inch Collapsible Hardshell Carry-on Suitcase

If you are short on storage space at your home, this suitcase is a great choice. It bills itself as “the world’s first fully collapsible suitcase,” and when it first arrived, I was shocked by how slim it was compared to my other suitcases. When collapsed, it is just 2 inches thick, making it super easy to slide under my bed. When expanded, it measures 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches and easily holds enough clothes for a three-day trip. I also own this suitcase in the checked 26-inch medium-size version, which I use for more extended getaways. The suitcase holds up well, is easy to wheel, and is even weather-resistant.

PuppyDoggy Reflective Leash With Poop Bag Holder

Life is so much easier when you have a soft poop bag holder attached directly to your service dog’s leash. I also like a longer leash when traveling with Poppy because it allows me to look the leash around my chair at restaurants. This leash is 6 feet long but has two handles, and the second one is just one foot from the clip, which is great if I want to keep Poppy on a short leash in crowded places. It is also durable, and the soft padding on the handles feels nice in my palm.

Rest Eazzzy Collapsable Travel Dog Bowls

These collapsable dog bowls are perfect for travel. I use them in hotels for food and water and will also bring one for water on excursions. The bowls are made with BPA-free, high-quality food-grade silicone, are dishwasher safe, and are easy to clean. They are also easy to collapse and come in three sizes and multiple colors. 

Bagsmart Foldable Tote Bag With Laptop Compartment

A foldable tote bag is another essential item on my service dog travel list. This one from Bagsmart folds down to virtually nothing in my suitcase, but when unfolded, it is roomy enough to hold a blanket, book, water bottle, bowl, and other essentials. It even has a laptop compartment. There is also a front drawstring pocket for easy access to essentials like your phone or wallet. I often use these style totes when going to a hotel pool or the beach.

Protalus T-100 Elite Shoe Insoles

Poppy and I cover many miles on our trips, and I have flat feet. To prevent pain, I keep a pair of Protalus insoles in my suitcase — for me, not her. The company makes full and half-size insoles with a universal fit that works whether you have flat feet or high arches. It uses a patented rebound foam and alignment technology that helps your body distribute pressure properly by keeping your ankle aligned and in a safe range of motion. The insoles work in everything from athletic shoes to fashion boots so you can alternate them for different shoes. They have made running through airports much more comfortable for catching tight connections. 

Bwogue Dog Seat Belt

My service dog is my whole world, so keeping her safe on road trips is a priority, which is why I use a dog seat belt to keep her clipped into the backseat in case of an accident or a sudden stop that can send a small pup like her flying. This one slips over the headrest in a vehicle and can be adjusted length-wise. It isn’t going to protect Poppy in a rollover, but for a fender bender or slam-on-the-brakes situation, it works well. I clip it into her harness — never her collar — as that is a choking hazard.

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