I didn't even think pets could be "upgraded" to service dogs, I figured they all came from licensed training camps.
While there's lots of abuse by people bringing obviously untrained and unqualified animals on a flight, there is just as much abuse by people who take well trained dogs on flights and simply don't want to subject them to cargo transport -- the abuse is just much less noticed for obvious reasons.
Personally, I would prefer to simply adjust the system so that any sufficiently capable dog can travel in the cabin for a fee, which would of course be waived for people with disabilities.
https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/cani...
It's a pretty low bar for any dog that doesn't have major behavioral issues; I'd expect any dog with a non-dumbass owner and a good home from birth to be able to pass. Even many hard-core rescues could probably pass after a few years in a stable home.
A variant of this test for airline travel would probably not be too hard to design.
One of the problems with making any particular test mandatory is that the test operator can price gouge and then genuine service dogs will become even more expensive. So, such a rule would have to be paired with price controls on the test.
Part of the problem is pet owners overestimating their pets abilities.
I usually fly JetBlue, and they allow small dogs in the cabin, in a carrier. Never had an issue.
The amount of "emotional support animals" at the local university is pretty ridiculous as well. I'm pretty sure students just lie so they can have a dog while they live in dorms.
Many cities in Germany require a test before letting you to keep the dog in the city at all. Very well behaved dogs on the streets, even without leashes