Anybody know why there are so many dogs in the parks at the DL resort ?

[disneychrista]

We saw lot of dogs of all sizes & shapes during our last two trips (Oct & Jan). Only one had a vest on. It seems these days that people just can't leave their pets at home.

 

[nunzia]

A lot of small dogs are also trained assistance dogs that deal with a variety of issues, but I do think that some people are starting to realize that you can just CLAIM your dog is an assistance dog and there is no real way for it to be challenged and then they just take them everywhere.

yes...and people are afraid of getting in trouble for asking and many vets will pretty much just let an animal be an 'assistance' animal so there is no drama (just quoting a vet friend here).

 

[Malcon10t]

yes...and people are afraid of getting in trouble for asking and many vets will pretty much just let an animal be an 'assistance' animal so there is no drama (just quoting a vet friend here).

Actually, vets have nothing to do with it. Your physician has to declare you disabled and provide a prescription. However, many people skip this step. Legally, a service dog has NO RIGHTS. The rights are afforded to the disabled person. My daughter has a hearing dog. *I* cannot take the dog and expect public access. With me, she cannot board a bus or be allowed into Disneyland. My daughter has hearing loss. It is her hearing dog. The access is afforded to my daughter, and my daughter can take her almost everywhere.

With the new access laws of Feb 2011, many places are beginning the crackdown on "fake" service dogs. Disneyland has stated they will begin verifying if the dog is truly a service dog. I won't get into how, simply because it tells people how to bypass the system.

 

[mouseymommy]

Malcom10t: I love the pic of the dog on Nemo...So cute, looks just like a child! Also, thanks for all the hard work you put into training these service dogs.

 

[pixiewings71]

We know the lady with the stroller well, she is a regular, adn the dog is NOT well behaved.

The laws that went into effect in Feb 2011 are meant to handle this situation. Personally, I wish there was a mandated certification. We have encountered problems at the parks with other dogs barking at our dogs, lunging at our pups, and in one case, pulling the owner to where the owner lost their balance. There are people on here who have met us, and know what we expect from our dogs before we enter the park. People may think "Hey, it would be fun to take our dogs in the park" but rarely do they realize the work involved. Our dogs are well trained, to the extent they even potty on command. Until we have this down, we don't go to the park. From the dogs perspective, the park can be a very scary place. Think about big, weird creatures appearing, little kids everywhere, people grabbing you, crowds, etc... It is very similar to taking a 2yo to the park, sans stroller. It is a LOT of work.

No, the dog was not well behaved at all, it was barking insanely inside it's little mesh cage. I told the girls and DBF that we needed to avoid that stroller the rest of our visit. I don't understand people who think their dog wants to ride a ride...... it's a park for people not dogs. I know working dogs (such as yours Mal) are trained to accept it and the majority of those dogs are amazing (ok they pretty much all are) and extremely well behaved, I have zero issues with working dogs being at the parks, but I cannot stand to see others taking their dogs everywhere. We love our dog but when we go to DL she stays home with a friend, where she's comfortable and happy. There is a lot of work in what you do and you have my utmost respect for doing it!! And yes, we understand that it's overwhelming for the dogs in training, which is why we always ask before we approach or pet them.

Actually, vets have nothing to do with it. Your physician has to declare you disabled and provide a prescription. However, many people skip this step. Legally, a service dog has NO RIGHTS. The rights are afforded to the disabled person. My daughter has a hearing dog. *I* cannot take the dog and expect public access. With me, she cannot board a bus or be allowed into Disneyland. My daughter has hearing loss. It is her hearing dog. The access is afforded to my daughter, and my daughter can take her almost everywhere.

With the new access laws of Feb 2011, many places are beginning the crackdown on "fake" service dogs. Disneyland has stated they will begin verifying if the dog is truly a service dog. I won't get into how, simply because it tells people how to bypass the system.

Thank You for not posting how they will verify, I'd hate for people to figure out how to bypass the system.

 

[Tikiroom1963]

" We saw lot of dogs of all sizes & shapes during our last two trips (Oct & Jan). Only one had a vest on. It seems these days that people just can't leave their pets at home."

This is exactly what we were thinking. Other than the legit assist dogs, people are just bringing in the family pet. This could possibly make it harder in the future for people who really need to bring in assist dogs.

 

[Mugglemama]

I'm really surprised to hear that non-service dogs are being seen in the parks to the extent that people are describing. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and I do remember seeing a couple of dogs in Downtown Disney, but I didn't notice any while in the parks.

You wouldn't think that Disney would be willing to risk being sued if somebody's dog flipped out and bit somebody. I'm all for people with true disabilities having access to life-improving services. But I don't know....something about letting people bring dogs into the park for any other reason than to train them as service animals seems unreasonable, if for no other reason but safety.

 

[Malcon10t]

" We saw lot of dogs of all sizes & shapes during our last two trips (Oct & Jan). Only one had a vest on. It seems these days that people just can't leave their pets at home."

This is exactly what we were thinking. Other than the legit assist dogs, people are just bringing in the family pet. This could possibly make it harder in the future for people who really need to bring in assist dogs.

Actually, service dogs are not required to wear a vest/cape/coat. We have on one trip (where everything went wrong) left my daughter's dog's cape at home. Technically, all she has to do is say "She is a service dog." Now they are allowed to challenge, and my daughter shows the proof. But we 99.9% of the time, have the cape, insurance paperwork (we carry a million dollar policy on the dog in case of any damage) and vet paperwork, along with her prescription. But, there are quite a few fake ones also. They usually get weeded out as they misbehave, or people figure out it isn't as easy as it looks.

 

[sonnyjane]

Actually, service dogs are not required to wear a vest/cape/coat. We have on one trip (where everything went wrong) left my daughter's dog's cape at home. Technically, all she has to do is say "She is a service dog." Now they are allowed to challenge, and my daughter shows the proof. But we 99.9% of the time, have the cape, insurance paperwork (we carry a million dollar policy on the dog in case of any damage) and vet paperwork, along with her prescription. But, there are quite a few fake ones also. They usually get weeded out as they misbehave, or people figure out it isn't as easy as it looks.

Thanks, Malcon. I was just about to post the same thing. Where I work, we constantly get service animals, and they are definitely not required to wear anything that identifies them as a service animal. We are not allowed to ask why guests need a service animal or to provide proof that they are, indeed, a service animal and not just a pet. I say "service animal" and not "service dog" because we have seen service dogs, cats, parrots, monkeys, and even a service horse!!! No questions asked - if they say it's a service animal, as you pointed out, we can't challenge it!

 

[disneychrista]

Yes, I understand that they are not required to wear a vest. But even if they were, you can buy them on ebay, so even that wouldn't stop the abuse.

 

[sonjaandsue]

I love my dog but I don't want to bring him to the Parks with me. I would leave my kid at home if I could get away with it.

 

[DizMe]

I love my dog but I don't want to bring him to the Parks with me. I would leave my kid at home if I could get away with it.

 

[Malcon10t]

I say "service animal" and not "service dog" because we have seen service dogs, cats, parrots, monkeys, and even a service horse!!! No questions asked - if they say it's a service animal, as you pointed out, we can't challenge it!

Just for clarification, the Department of Justice (who writes all this stuff) in Feb 2011, changed the wording, and only animals accepted as a service animal is a dog. Small horses are allowed for guide work. But as of Feb 2011, snakes, monkeys, chickens, etc are no longer classified or protected under the ADA as a service animal.

You can read more about it here.

#5 reads "Service Animals. The rule defines "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in the definition of "service animal." "

 

[sonnyjane]

Just for clarification, the Department of Justice (who writes all this stuff) in Feb 2011, changed the wording, and only animals accepted as a service animal is a dog. Small horses are allowed for guide work. But as of Feb 2011, snakes, monkeys, chickens, etc are no longer classified or protected under the ADA as a service animal.

You can read more about it here.

#5 reads "Service Animals. The rule defines "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in the definition of "service animal." "

Interesting, thanks! It's been a while since I saw any animal other than a dog, just knew that I've seen a variety over the years.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Dogs don't all wear vests if they are service dogs. We are in the process of getting our pug/min pin mix trained as a seizure dog for my husband. She will not wear a vest of any kind, we will just carry her certification paperwork. I'm sure it's like that for many other issues that dogs assist with also... and things like seizure dogs, it doesn't matter the size of the dog, it matter how "in tune" they are with their person. I am actually really excited to be able to take our dog with us everywhere!

 

[Armadillo4]

This is an interesting topic, as I personally have seen fewer service animals during my visits during the past year. About 2-3 years ago, I used to see service animals (usually with vests) quite frequently in the parks. But I haven't seen as many in the past year. I don't doubt that they're still accompanying their owners on their trips, but I just must be in another area of the park and miss them lol!

I did stand next to an elderly owner with a small dog while watching the parade a couple months ago. The dog did not have a vest/cape and looked like a pet. And I was worried that the noise and stimulus of the parade would make the dog uncomfortable--i.e. there would be a lot of yapping and barking. But I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't hear a peep from the dog during the entire parade. Afterwards, I struck conversation with the owner and found out she was indeed a therapy dog and trained to deal with all of the stimulus at places like Disneyland.

Malcon10t, thanks for your contributions to this thread. I've learned quite a bit new today!

 

[Susie63]

I don't understand why anyone would think their dog wanted to be in the park! I can hear their little dog thoughts now,"Ooooh....I can't wait to see Pluto today"

 

[Disneyana'sAunt]

I have a relative that got a small dog last year. She told me how easy it was for her to order a service dog vest and a training video! The next week she took her dog with her to the Biltmore House in North Carolina! I told her it was wrong to do this(frankly it p***ed me off)! She laughed and said it saved her money on boarding! Some people don't get it and never will!!!

 

[IndayMichelle]

Therapy dogs? I've seen people bring small lap dogs to conventions. When I complained about it, the management of the convention center said they couldn't do anything about it because the attendee said they were a therapy dog. They should be able to provide documentation of both certification of the animal and medical necessity. Frankly, if you need the therapy dog, a stimulating place like a video game convention or hmmm Disneyland may not be a good idea....at least until you feel better.

 

[Malcon10t]

Therapy dogs? I've seen people bring small lap dogs to conventions. When I complained about it, the management of the convention center said they couldn't do anything about it because the attendee said they were a therapy dog. They should be able to provide documentation of both certification of the animal and medical necessity. Frankly, if you need the therapy dog, a stimulating place like a video game convention or hmmm Disneyland may not be a good idea....at least until you feel better.

A therapy dog is not covered under the ADA.