IMPORTANT Florida Fake Service Dog Law HB 71 and SB 414

Chloe ERRT · May 4, 2015

HB 71 and SB 414 makes anyone trying to make a pet as a Service Dog second-degree misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to 60 days in jail, up to $500 in fines and 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves people with disabilities or another entity, at the discretion of a judge.

I will keep in contact with WDW about their Service Dog policy, since WDW does allow Emotional Support, Therapy Dogs in the park. Many of the Emotional Support keep barking non-stop, this bill could actually force Disney to have Guest with Emotional Support Dogs which constantly bark removed from the park once passed.

Emotional Support Dog Owners do not know the Public Access Test and Etiquette of Service Dogs. So here are the links so you can know how to properly train your Emotional Support Dog.

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/assistance-dogs/assistance-dogs-in-public/

http://www.assistancedogsinternatio...for-dogs/training-standards-for-service-dogs/

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/public-access-test/

aaarcher86 · May 4, 2015

Chloe ERRT said:
HB 71 and SB 414 makes anyone trying to make a pet as a Service Dog second-degree misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to 60 days in jail, up to $500 in fines and 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves people with disabilities or another entity, at the discretion of a judge.

I will keep in contact with WDW about their Service Dog policy, since WDW does allow Emotional Support, Therapy Dogs in the park. Many of the Emotional Support keep barking non-stop, this bill could actually force Disney to have Guest with Emotional Support Dogs which constantly bark removed from the park once passed.

Emotional Support Dog Owners do not know the Public Access Test and Etiquette of Service Dogs. So here are the links so you can know how to properly train your Emotional Support Dog.

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/assistance-dogs/assistance-dogs-in-public/

http://www.assistancedogsinternatio...for-dogs/training-standards-for-service-dogs/

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/public-access-test/

I think it's less about Disney allowing ESDs and more about people claiming they're service dogs, or Disney not wanting to question and make a stink. People who bring their pets everywhere and claim they're service animals don't care about etiquette and training.

I am, however, a fan of the law. I think it will be difficult to enforce though.

Gracie09 · May 4, 2015

aaarcher86 said:
I think it's less about Disney allowing ESDs and more about people claiming they're service dogs, or Disney not wanting to question and make a stink. People who bring their pets everywhere and claim they're service animals don't care about etiquette and training.

I am, however, a fan of the law. I think it will be difficult to enforce though.

I agree. I don't think they allow ESDs as much as they don't question them. Think of the PR nightmare that can occur if a person with a Service Dog is questioned or a person who thinks they have a service dog but actually has a ESD (there is a lot of confusion even by people who have ESD as to what they actually have) is questioned or denied entry with their dog. The media will jump on anything Disney.

Chloe ERRT · May 4, 2015

Archer look at some of the vests, they even have Emotional Support on their vests. Disney allows ESDs and Therapy because they help aid the guest. The only time a dog will be ever kicked out of the park is if the dog attacks a guest. The only dogs I worry about attacking other guests or other Service Dogs are the ESD. Many do not even have the CGC, Canine Good Citizen. ESD and Therapy, they need certification from a legitimate trainer. There are no laws protecting Therapy or ESD handlers for certification.

Gracie, Disney knows the difference. I have been drilling it in their head for over 2 years. It is not a PR Nightmare, read the boards on the incident with the ESD Tiger at Magic Kingdom. People do not want ESDs in park and praised Disney for not allowing the Bengal Tiger in the park.

When the Fake Service Dog Law goes into effect, media cannot attack Disney. By the way, the media is Disney! The executives of Disney are ABC Executives, we had not had one of our family members as an executive since Ron Miller stepped down as CEO/President of Walt Disney Company. Ron Miller was replaced with ABC Executive Michael Eisner.

It is very easy to enforce. Cast Members know how to spot a fake by watching Tink and Cinderella or Tink and Honey. They do things by routine. They go under the table at restaurant. They do not jump on table or jump on chairs. They lay quietly lapping at their water. Then pay bill and leave, I had people faces drop you had 2??? I said why ask??? They are so well behaved and never even saw them. I love saying "Now you know the difference between a Service Dog and a pet".

Gracie09 · May 4, 2015

Chloe ERRT said:
Archer look at some of the vests, they even have Emotional Support on their vests. Disney allows ESDs and Therapy because they help aid the guest. The only time a dog will be ever kicked out of the park is if the dog attacks a guest. The only dogs I worry about attacking other guests or other Service Dogs are the ESD. Many do not even have the CGC, Canine Good Citizen. ESD and Therapy, they need certification from a legitimate trainer. There are no laws protecting Therapy or ESD handlers for certification.

Gracie, Disney knows the difference. I have been drilling it in their head for over 2 years. It is not a PR Nightmare, read the boards on the incident with the ESD Tiger at Magic Kingdom. People do not want ESDs in park and praised Disney for not allowing the Bengal Tiger in the park.

When the Fake Service Dog Law goes into effect, media cannot attack Disney. By the way, the media is Disney! The executives of Disney are ABC Executives, we had not had one of our family members as an executive since Ron Miller stepped down as CEO/President of Walt Disney Company. Ron Miller was replaced with ABC Executive Michael Eisner.

It is very easy to enforce. Cast Members know how to spot a fake by watching Tink and Cinderella or Tink and Honey. They do things by routine. They go under the table at restaurant. They do not jump on table or jump on chairs. They lay quietly lapping at their water. Then pay bill and leave, I had people faces drop you had 2??? I said why ask??? They are so well behaved and never even saw them. I love saying "Now you know the difference between a Service Dog and a pet".

ABC is not "the media". Fox, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC etc etc etc. all not controlled by disney. Get a person crying that they can't visit Disney because their service whatever can't come into the park and you have your top of the hour story, especially if a kid or Veteran is . It doesn't matter that 2 minutes into the story they will mention that the animal is an emotional support animal and no where will they mention that the ADA doesn't allow for emotional support animals to have the same access as Service animals. By that point, Disney is the big bad corporation keeping these people from their dream vacation.

A Bengal Tiger is a red herring. It is not something that any reasonable person would expect to bring anywhere public. It also appears that the tiger became a service animal after she was denied entry

aaarcher86 · May 4, 2015

Chloe ERRT said:
Archer look at some of the vests, they even have Emotional Support on their vests. Disney allows ESDs and Therapy because they help aid the guest. The only time a dog will be ever kicked out of the park is if the dog attacks a guest. The only dogs I worry about attacking other guests or other Service Dogs are the ESD. Many do not even have the CGC, Canine Good Citizen. ESD and Therapy, they need certification from a legitimate trainer. There are no laws protecting Therapy or ESD handlers for certification.

Gracie, Disney knows the difference. I have been drilling it in their head for over 2 years. It is not a PR Nightmare, read the boards on the incident with the ESD Tiger at Magic Kingdom. People do not want ESDs in park and praised Disney for not allowing the Bengal Tiger in the park.

When the Fake Service Dog Law goes into effect, media cannot attack Disney. By the way, the media is Disney! The executives of Disney are ABC Executives, we had not had one of our family members as an executive since Ron Miller stepped down as CEO/President of Walt Disney Company. Ron Miller was replaced with ABC Executive Michael Eisner.

It is very easy to enforce. Cast Members know how to spot a fake by watching Tink and Cinderella or Tink and Honey. They do things by routine. They go under the table at restaurant. They do not jump on table or jump on chairs. They lay quietly lapping at their water. Then pay bill and leave, I had people faces drop you had 2??? I said why ask??? They are so well behaved and never even saw them. I love saying "Now you know the difference between a Service Dog and a pet".

You can't compare the tiger incident to ESDs. It's a friggin' tiger.

We will have to agree to disagree on Disney allowing ESDs versus not making waves about it. You and I are on the same page about not wanting ESDs in the park, so I'll be happy if Disney actually enforces anything. But training every cast member about how to tell the difference, IMO, isn't going to happen. Until there is some kind of allowable certification verification system put in place, this type of stuff won't stop.

Chloe ERRT · May 4, 2015

Disney does know all the fake certification websites and all the names.

ESD Handlers do not know how to deal with confrontation. Service and Therapy Dog handlers are trained on what to say it is part of the training for confrontations.

Once the laws are in effect if a business does refuse if they question a SD, SD Handler will have a court date to prove they are a legitimate SD. Instead of SD handlers suing business, which is current Federal and State ADA Laws.

I will keep you all posted on WDW Service Dog Policies once the laws goes in effect. The Florida Laws will not effect Disneyland since it is a State of Florida Laws.

Luvchefmic · May 4, 2015

Chloe ERRT said:
Disney does know all the fake certification websites and all the names.

ESD Handlers do not know how to deal with confrontation. Service and Therapy Dog handlers are trained on what to say it is part of the training for confrontations.

Once the laws are in effect if a business does refuse if they question a SD, SD Handler will have a court date to prove they are a legitimate SD. Instead of SD handlers suing business, which is current Federal and State ADA Laws.

I will keep you all posted on WDW Service Dog Policies once the laws goes in effect. The Florida Laws will not effect Disneyland since it is a State of Florida Laws.

From everything you are posting I'm just wondering "why" ?

Chloe ERRT · May 4, 2015

This law will effect Walt Disney World and every business in State of Florida. It just has to go through another committee for revisions and then signed by Governor Rick Scott, who will sign the bills into law.

It will prepare SD Handlers what the new laws will consist of here in State of Florida.

These 2 bills are also highly supported by many of the Service Dog organizations in Florida.

Walt Disney World Guest Relations currently does not know if the Service Dog Policy will be the same when the bills are passed into law. So that is why I have to keep you all updated.

Many SD, ESD, and Therapy Dogs stay off property. These 2 bills, not only contradict ADA Federal Laws for Service Dogs, but a huge push from Canine Companions for Independence to curb Service Dog Fraud.

Majority of ESD dogs here in State of Florida will be phased out into Service Dogs. Anxiety, PTSD, Depression, Schizophrenia, and Autism is considered a disability in State of Florida. So for those that have ESD, start making sure you have your ESD be able to pass a Public Access Test. Currently have nothing on who is going to be evaluating since the bills are not signed into law. From what some are saying there will probably be ID Tags and/or ID Cards.

There is a new saying instead of "Is your dog a Service Dog?" The new question will be is "Is your dog a Service Dog for a specific disability?" It will be a Yes or No answer. They will probably ask you for your doctor letter. You can still train your own Service Dog by Federal Law.

aaarcher86 · May 5, 2015

Just because people have one of your listed disabilities doesn't automatically mean they have a service dog, whether they pass an access test or not. The dog will still have to provide a specific service, outside of just 'emotional support,' to qualify whether it's related to autism or anxiety or not.

That's not changing. The only thing this law will do is fine people who claim their ESDs are service dogs. It doesn't mean ESDs will become service dogs.

Gracie09 · May 5, 2015

aaarcher86 said:
Just because people have one of your listed disabilities doesn't automatically mean they have a service dog, whether they pass an access test or not. The dog will still have to provide a specific service, outside of just 'emotional support,' to qualify whether it's related to autism or anxiety or not.

That's not changing. The only thing this law will do is fine people who claim their ESDs are service dogs. It doesn't mean ESDs will become service dogs.

Thank you. I actually read the proposed Fl law and it seemed to mirror the ADA and specifically said animals that provide only emotional support are not covered (paraphrasing)

SueM in MN · May 5, 2015

Gracie09 said:
Thank you. I actually read the proposed Fl law and it seemed to mirror the ADA and specifically said animals that provide only emotional support are not covered (paraphrasing)

from what I have seen, I agree.
It still allows for
"Service animal owners cannot be asked about their disability or whether they are entitled to have a service animal, but they may be asked if the animal is a service animal and what tasks it performs to assist its owner."
And
"The bill also would allow service animals to be removed from a business or other public place if the animal is not under the handler’s control, is not housebroken or poses a serious threat to others."

According to articles I have read, including this one.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/n...ill-passes-florida-house/nkhwb/#__federated=1

So, Emotional Support animals would not be 'rolled in'. They would still need to be individually trained to perform some task or service (and just sitting to be petted doesn't count - dogs do that without training.)

I have not talked with Disney management about Sevice Dogs, but I am quite sure that the average CM doesn't know the difference between SD and Emotional Support dogs. People with emotional support dogs call them SD and then people are afraid to say anything. I saw someone once with a snarling, barking 'pet' she was calling her SD at WDW. Security was trying to deal with her because her dog was snapping at people. She kept saying, "he is my service dog. You are REQUIRED to allow him."

Not quite, even if he is a Service Dog by all definitions in the ADA, if he is not behaving in public and/or is not in control of the handler, they can be asked to leave.
That part is in the ADA, but I don't believe it was specifically in Florida law until now.

piccolopat · May 5, 2015

It would be much better if service/therapy dogs had to be licensed and certified as such and the owner/handler had to show the ID card to gain the special access. We don't need to know what the person's disability is, only that the animal is not just someone's pet.

piccolopat · May 5, 2015

Chloe ERRT said:
...You can still train your own Service Dog by Federal Law.

I don't have a problem with people training their own service dog. If they have the skill to do so, fine. However I think that there should be a standard test by an authorized facility to actually make sure these animals are adequately trained and provide a government recognized service. We simply can't allow everyone with a dog to train them and bring them into places like WDW. Unfortunately there have been too many people abusing the "you can't ask me" situation that we have now. It's not really much different than people that abused GAC except that having an untrained or poorly trained pet in the park can be a danger to the animal and to other guests.

By the way, are service animals actually allowed on all rides? I really can't see one safely on the mountains, etc.

aaarcher86 · May 5, 2015

piccolopat said:
I don't have a problem with people training their own service dog. If they have the skill to do so, fine. However I think that there should be a standard test by an authorized facility to actually make sure these animals are adequately trained and provide a government recognized service. We simply can't allow everyone with a dog to train them and bring them into places like WDW. Unfortunately there have been too many people abusing the "you can't ask me" situation that we have now. It's not really much different than people that abused GAC except that having an untrained or poorly trained pet in the park can be a danger to the animal and to other guests.

By the way, are service animals actually allowed on all rides? I really can't see one safely on the mountains, etc.

No. The rides that aren't safe, a cage is offered for the dog to wait in.

Emagine · May 5, 2015

There are only a handful of rides that a SD can not ride. A few more we decide by choice. We also have decided not to use the crates after coming off a ride and a child was feeding her snack to our sons SD. He has some allergies to food and it messed up his stomach and made him itchy. But if you have a kid tossing treats into a cage of course he helped himself to a few. Because we were not in view or control of the SD we decided then to not ever place him in another out of site situation. We now rider switch.

I actually would love to see something in place. At HS we have been barked and chased by a small dog who was leashed but the gentleman let go while on his scooter so the dog could do some business. His claim, although no spots there. Little ankle-bitter came at my sons SD in full play mode. Was not an aggressive issue thank goodness but it freaked my son out and spoiled the rest of the day. Anytime we encountered another dog, which our SD could care less for, our son would scream.

We take our sons RX for the dog, the agency card and ID with my sons photo and the dog they like to issue annually with their information. We do not mind being asked as long as it is nice. We do stay on property. As for businesses and later court dates I would hope that would not become an abused situation for businesses against all dogs. Sullivans Island, SC has rapidly become known for their poor handling of SD and making people come back from all over to court due to fines and such just because of their dog policies.

Julylady · May 5, 2015

Somewhat off topic:

I contacted Disney a week ago regarding pet allergies and Disney hotel rooms and have not received a response outside of the immediate auto response. Last spring, both my niece and I had severe allergic reactions while staying in a room at Disney World. Although I have zero proof, I suspect a dog had recently stayed in our Disney hotel room. Both of us have been diagnosed with allergies to pet dander and our symptoms were in line with what we experience after being in someone's house who has a dog. I just got all stuffed up and miserable, but my niece experienced asthmatic symptoms including use of emergency steroid inhalers. We have another visit planned for this July. How do I request and insure that our hotel room has not had a dog in it? It doesn't matter to me if its a service dog or an emotional support dog. I just don't want to stay in any room that a dog has been in. Do those of you who have stayed at WDW with service dogs know what they do to isolate your dog? NOTE: If a hotel advertises that it is pet friendly, I do not stay in it under any circumstances.

Any advice?

Emagine · May 5, 2015

I can only speak for myself so maybe it may give an insight. But we are not isolated or anything. We do not tell anyone about the SD upon booking anywhere we stay except Disney because we want a ground floor. We do not bring a kennel or anything because he does not need it. He is always, 100% in tow and I doubt anyone can miss the 80 pound block head. lol. I can tell you what we also do for those pet friendly places. We no longer tell them we have one when booking. We ended up in a room that was clearly soiled and because I do not know the medical background we are overly protective, esp when traveling. When we stay we do not pick based on pet friendly or not. We do take him though when we check in. We pick now based on vacation, location etc... HTH so when you book something, anywhere, you can protect your needs.

I want to say, and I truly hope the right person with knowledge on that side of the fence chimes in, I have read about deep cleaning or something at Disney??? Can someone who knows about this help?

Nanajo1 · May 6, 2015

I think you can request a deep cleaning. I don't know it is an extra charge. Hopefully someone who knows will post.

videogal1 · May 7, 2015

piccolopat said:
I don't have a problem with people training their own service dog. If they have the skill to do so, fine. However I think that there should be a standard test by an authorized facility to actually make sure these animals are adequately trained and provide a government recognized service. We simply can't allow everyone with a dog to train them and bring them into places like WDW.

Of course we can, and we do. It's the law. Of course, the law also requires that the dog's handler be disabled per the ADA definition. (Perhaps we should be certifying the handlers instead?)
When the ADA became law your elected representatives decided that the burden of exorbitant and sometimes fraudulent "costs" that might be declared by opportunistic Service Dog trainers selling sometimes marginal training and expensive "certification papers" was a possible side effect that the disabled needing Service Dogs should not be expected to suffer. As a result of this forethought, the majority of Service Dogs are owner-trained.
As for Service Dog certification ...Do we require that drivers of cars be trained by some authorized facility before being issued certification to drive? Parents frequently teach their kids to drive. Should we expect driver-training parents be given a standard test by an authorized facility to actually make sure they're not passing their bad driving habits on to their children/students before unleashing their childrens' automobiles on our public highways where they can be a danger to the driving public?

piccolopat said:
Unfortunately there have been too many people abusing the "you can't ask me" situation that we have now. It's not really much different than people that abused GAC except that having an untrained or poorly trained pet in the park can be a danger to the animal and to other guests.

As I have posted before, the "you can't ask me situation", as you call it, is a problem manufactured by businesses that simply will not use the laws that protect them to deal with problems caused by individual Service Dogs, preferring to push the problem onto the Service Dog handler community as a whole.

Also, The ADA does not define disabled as someone having a certain type of condition, disease, or injury. There is no master iist of qualifying impairments. The ADA test of disability is the degree to which an impairment affects or modifies someone's iife activities. It's not the WHAT that determines disability but the degree to which the WHAT diminishes the person's ability to perform daily activities.

and, a Therapy Dog is only a well-trained pet that has been authorized to enter a specific medical facility to give comfort to the patients there. It has even fewer public access privileges than ESDs.

I'm happy to see that the state of FIorida has the guts to address the problem of SD impostors but it would be more useful if they would train businesses in the art of applying current Iaw instead of making new Iaws.

*IMPORTANT* Florida Fake Service Dog Law HB 71 and SB 414

Service Dog Ambassador of WDW

Registered

DIS Veteran

Service Dog Ambassador of WDW

DIS Veteran

Registered

Service Dog Ambassador of WDW

DIS Veteran

Service Dog Ambassador of WDW

Registered

DIS Veteran

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Registered

DVC Member

DIS Veteran

DVC Member

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Share this page

IMPORTANT Florida Fake Service Dog Law HB 71 and SB 414