When you think of a service animal, a dog might first come to mind. You might imagine a friendly Golden Retriever, a protective German Shepherd, or a loyal Labrador Retriever. However, canines aren’t the only ones who are being registered as service animals. Miniature horse, Freckle Butt Fred (or just Fred for short), is also classified as a service animal and therapy horse!
In fact, the sweet, 18-month-old horse went on a successful flight via airplane on February 7, 2020 with his owner, Ronica Froese. The duo traveled from Croton, Michigan to Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dallas, Texas and then to Ontario, California. This milestone is something to celebrate for Froese, who has trouble getting people to accept Fred as a service animal.
Thankfully, most people, except for a few who gave her strange looks, were accepting of the service horse on the plane.
“Fred was the definition of a perfect service animal in flight,” Froese said to CNN in an interview. “Everyone loved him. Pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants, TSA, airport staff and all the passengers were kind. Lots of passengers were so amazed how well he behaved.”
But there was a lot of preparation involved. Froese drove her horse around in her truck while playing airplane sounds through her speakers to get the horse used to motion and the noise of an aircraft. She also took him through the metal detectors at her local courthouse to verify that’d he fit through the detectors at the airport.
Although she was very much prepared for trouble at the airport and on the plane, another surprise occurred.
Froese was almost not able to bring the miniature horse on the plane when she learned that a flight attendant was allergic to horses. Fortunately, Fred was wearing a piece of clothing known as a sleazy that would prevent the attendant from getting an allergic reaction.
In addition to the extra trouble, Froese had to pay for two seats so she and her horse could have plenty of room on the plane. The two seats cost her over $2,000.
Although Froese says it was worth it, that may be the last time Fred will be able to fly on a plane.
The Department of Transportation announced a federal proposal that would legally allow airlines to prevent support animals, other than dogs, from flying. However, the department may consider allowing miniature horses as well, but that decision is still up in the air.
Froese, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, is crossing her fingers that the department will ease up on the proposal.
“When I’m in a severe flair [sic], the way I describe it is Freddy Krueger taking his nails and ripping them through my intestines,” she said as she was explaining her condition.
Although her condition is debilitating, Fred makes things easier for her.
“When I’m really sick, I struggle to walk, I struggle to fix things up, I can’t bend over. Fred is fully directed retrieval trained… So if I drop something, Fred will pick it up and hand it to me. If I need him to go grab me something, I can point at an object. He can go get my shoes for me.”
Froese wants people to know that Crohn’s disease is an invisible illness, but it doesn’t make it any less real than, say, a broken leg with a cast or a case of psoriasis.
“I have an invisible autoimmune disease. Not all disabilities can be seen and we all deserve the same respect as the blind whose disability can be seen,” Froese reminded.
Fred’s owner isn’t happy about the decision that may prevent her service animal from going on airplanes. However, regardless of what happens, she’ll continue bringing Fred to nursing homes, children’s hospitals, and the homes of veterans to make people’s days.
Do you believe service animals should go beyond just canines? Let us know in the comments below.
And when you’re done, watch the video to learn more about Fred the service horse’s first flight!
