Passengers on board an American Airlines flight this week were joined by a surprising fellow traveller – a miniature horse!
The pony, named Flirty, didn't have a designated seat although she did have plenty of space standing in a space for legroom, where she stayed for the duration of the flight. (Although she did pose for a photo with the pilots and cabin crew too!).
She wasn't on her own though; Flirty was accompanying her owner, for whom she is a service animal (an animal trained specially to perform a function or job for someone with a disability).
It's worth noting that this is different to an emotional support animal – such as comfort animals and therapy dogs.
Flirty even has her own Twitter account , where her owner shared what it was like to board the plane with the miniature horse.
She wrote: "Flirty and I took to the skies, yesterday! It was a great experience and I learned a lot. Flirty was FANTASTIC and handled it all like a pro.
"That being said, I’m going to keep traveling by car, it’s just easier on Flirty. Flying will be reserved for emergencies and such.
"It’s just too difficult to make sure Flirty doesn’t inconvenience other passengers. Because my airport is smaller, the planes are smaller and don’t have solid bulkheads.
"Flirty couldn’t help jostling seat of the person in the last row of first class every time she moved.
"Once we got up to cruising altitude, she took a nap and was very quiet. But she had to rebalance quite a bit while ascending and descending and kept bumping the back of their seat through the curtain "bulkhead.""
There wasn't an exception being made for Flirty; mini horses who are service animals are allowed on flights.
In fact, American Airlines' service animal policy specifically states that the animal "must be a cat or dog (trained miniature horse may be permitted as a service animal); 4 months or older".
The airline does add: "Dogs and cats are accepted as service animals; miniature horses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
"We encourage advanced notice for service animals, but it isn’t required.
"As the requirements for transporting each type of animal differ, our employees are trained to ask certain questions to determine the classification applicable to your animal."
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