Decision of the 5th Civil Court of Niterói determined the transport of the animal in the aircraft cabin; Company offered transport alternatives, which were rejected by the tutor, and stressed that the child would not travel on the flight
Last Saturday (24), a flight from TAP, which was scheduled to start from the to was canceled due to a controversy involving a service dog. The airline refused to allow the dog, called TED, to board the cabin. Ted is an essential service dog for a 12-year-old child with nonverbal autism, helping her to control crises. The dog tutor had a judicial authorization for boarding, although the international veterinary certificate of the animal was about to expire. In response, TAP stated that the court ruling violated its flight operations manual, compromising on board safety, and so it chose to cancel the flight. The company offered transport alternatives to the dog, who were rejected by the tutor, and stressed that the child would not travel on this flight.
Luciana Brites, psychopedagogue and CEO of the Neurosaber Institute, explained the importance of service dogs for children with autism. According to Brites, autism is a communication disorder that can manifest at different levels, and interaction with animals can be fundamental for the communication of nonverbal children. She pointed out that animals can improve the behavioral approach of these children. IBGE data of 2022 indicate that Brazil has 2.4 million autism diagnoses, with greater prevalence among boys and children from 5 to 9 years. Brites stressed that the increase in cases is a global trend and that early diagnosis is crucial, as is access to quality information.
The psychopedagogue also addressed the emotional impact of the diagnosis of autism on families. She pointed out that the diagnosis can be a moment of mourning, where families need to resignify their expectations and seek professional support. Brites emphasized the importance of proper follow -up and school inclusion, as the school is also impacted by the disorder. The causes of autism are not yet fully understood, involving genetic and environmental factors. Brites mentioned that the advanced age of parents may be related to the increase in cases, but reinforced the importance of one day at a time and continuous support for affected families.
*With information from Camila Yunes
*Report produced with the aid of AI
