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

[drag n' fly]

Honestly I am floored. Seriously? Have people sunk to an even lower low? Disguising your dog as an assistance dog? Are you serious? I really enjoy the kitties but dogs???? Do the dogs look forward to corndogs and meetups with Pluto? Honest to god (yes thats dog backwards lol no illuminati here folks) I cannot believe it

 

[Rhonna]

This is an interesting topic,

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

I agree.

My sister would stop and pet all animals she saw if allowed by their owners. I would like to but unfortunately I have a lot of animal allergies along with other allergies. If we know a business is dog friendly we specifically have to avoid it due to my allergies.

I completely support those service dogs for people who truly need it and hope the scammer people get caught and are forced to stop what they are doing. (And no, I wouldn't presume to decide who is legit and who is not.) I hope disney and other public places enforces the new laws.

I have a feeling this subject over the coming months/years is going to be as much of a challenge for disney as ECV's have become. And discussed on these boards more and more.

 

[StarGirl11]

They have to be identified as assistance dogs.

Yeah but if its anything like with the Airlines than if a person claims the workers cant always call them up on a false claim without real proof.

 

[nunzia]

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." "

This is good to know..there is a lady around town who swears her big bird..parrot..is a service animal and as she has quoted loudly on several occassions, "and no one can tell me to leave or anything because this is a SERVICE animal"..meanwhile there is bird poop and flapping wings, etc.

Yes, makes sense that a doctor has to decide if a service animal (I guess now dog) is needed, but don't vets have to do something to I dunno..specify that the animal is the one that is in service? I'll have to ask my friend what he meant. Anyway..now that we have service dogs and therapy animals, who decides where to draw the line? If therapy animals have no rights and someone asked to leave with one of them has an issue, won't that lead to all kinds of legal mess as well?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Our librarian was telling me that they are having an issue with a rise in the number of dogs in the library. They are only allowed to ask if it is an assistance animal and if so, with what medical condition it is assisting. As with any medical issue, privacy concerns prevent asking for written documentation. The animal may be excluded if it misbehaves, but only after such behavior occurs.
The library is working with County Counsel to see if they can also require that the animal be in compliance with local licensing laws. -- Suzanne

 

[lilpooh108]

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!!!

I have a crazy lady at my work who did this---she has no condition and she qualified her dog as a service dog just to be able to bring him everywhere. She brags about it. It is so annoying. (As a completely unrelated tangential judgmental vent about her, she also hates kids and anyone with kids. She doesn't understand I got maternity leave but she can't have time off for her dog.) I love my dogs, but I would never scam the system to bring them to places I'm not supposed to.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have a crazy lady at my work who did this---she has no condition and she qualified her dog as a service dog just to be able to bring him everywhere. She brags about it. It is so annoying. (As a completely unrelated tangential judgmental vent about her, she also hates kids and anyone with kids. She doesn't understand I got maternity leave but she can't have time off for her dog.) I love my dogs, but I would never scam the system to bring them to places I'm not supposed to.

Since there is no required test, she did not "qualify" them, she simply opted to buy a vest then claim the dog is a service dog. I am a firm believer in karma. People who scam will have problems.

The laws are very clear, the problem is many businesses don't want to deal with the fallout. If a dog is disruptive, even if the dog is a service dog, and establishment can ask the handler to remove the dog. If the dog is barking, relieves themselves, isn't staying with the handler, etc., the establishment has the absolute right to refuse the dog.

As a patron anywhere, I do not want a dog sniffing me, running around, barking, growling, pottying, etc. around me. Our dogs are expected to stay at my side or my daughter's, they should not be further than 12 inches from me unless we are allowing them to be (example, when they are lying on their blanket while we eat), they should not be sniffing or rubbing on ANYONE, they are expected to be silent and unseen! I love the number of times we have exited a restaurant to hear people comment "I didn't know they had a dog there!" Our dogs potty on command, and we clean it up. (One of my biggest gripes, people who don't clean up after their animals.)

I love dogs, but they are just like kids. They need to be taught to behave. If you fail to teach them, you will have a brat, and people don't want to be around brats!

 

[teacups]

I have two dogs who would really HATE going on a trip with us to DL.
They are so much happier staying home on thier own bed with their own toys and getting to be spoiled by the highschool girl who is our caretaker when we are gone!

I have NEVER seen a dog at DL, service or other.
If SO MANY are really SNEAKING dogs in I really (REALLY!!!) hope they are doing a great job of cleaning up after them.

If DL becomes a "dog park" I have to say that might be a deal breaker for me. I love dogs- but I dont want to smell or hear a bunch of them at DL.

And a lot of folks are afraid of dogs.

 

[teacups]

I love dogs, but they are just like kids. They need to be taught to behave. If you fail to teach them, you will have a brat, and people don't want to be around brats!

I think there might be some ADULTS on here who should stay home then, too. You know... just sayin.

 

[robinjh7]

We saw a very small dog sitting on someone's lap in the third row at "Aladdin" recently. Very small. Purse size. No vest or markers of any kind. I don't know if he was a service dog or not, but CMs saw him and never said anything about it.

We were on a cruise with a group from Canine Companions a few years ago. They gave a demo about the service dogs. It was amazing! Those trained dogs can do incredible things. There was even a dog who could detect cancer, and one who could warn her owner when the owner was going to have a seizure. So sometimes it's hard to tell what a dog is possibly trained to do.

 

[Escape2Disney]

As someone with a service dog, I can say that obnoxious people who cheat the system make life very difficult for those of us who truly need our animals.

I have an obvious disability, as well as a couple of invisible ones. My dog helps me in many ways, and I can't imagine my life without him.

That being said, he does have his moments. Yesterday, for example, he had a rare moment where he walked away from me while I was eating at a restaurant. I quickly corrected him and was prepared to leave if he continued to be a problem. This all took place in a matter of seconds, and he corrected his behavior very quickly. He hadn't done that since he was a pup in training! Just like kids - the most well-behaved ones can still have moments I'd say 98% of the time he's right on task and an amazing assistance in my life. I know that it's MY RESPONSIBILITY to remove ourselves from any situation where he is not being appropriate (though I can only think of two times I've had to do that and it was shortly after he started working with me)

HE tells ME when he's needing a break. It's my job to watch for those signs. At Disneyland he has a harder time than in normal life. He alerts for dehydration, so being in a place with masses of dehydrated people is exhausting for him! He occasionally needs a reminder that they aren't his business. AND don't get me started on the idiots who think teasing, trying to feed, or otherwise distracting him is a good idea!

My point in all of this? I couldn't imagine subjecting a 'pet' to so many stressors!

 

[lilpooh108]

Since there is no required test, she did not "qualify" them, she simply opted to buy a vest then claim the dog is a service dog.

Ugh, seriously? I had no idea that there is no required test. That lady I know is seriously crazy.

 

[DSNY4ever]

He alerts for dehydration, so being in a place with masses of dehydrated people is exhausting for him!

Wow, I have never heard of that. It is amazing what dogs can do!

And those pictures of that service dog in Disneyland are SOOO adorable! Oh my gosh! They remind me of that one commercial they used to have of that dog dreaming he was in Disneyland. So funny.

I haven't seen dogs in Disneyland but I have noticed that people seem to think they can bring their non-service dogs anywhere as long as they are small. I have seen people set up those shopping cart covers that people use for their babies and put their little dressed up dogs in them to go around Target or where ever. Somehow I doubt those little chihuahua's dressed as ladybugs that are on expandable leashes snapping at people in Michael's Craft store are "service dogs"! I have two dogs and we wait politely outside while my husband runs into the store to get what we need.

 

[Mugglemama]

I can't help but ponder the probability that the opportunity for people to scam the system in order to bring their dogs into Disneyland will soon go the way of the 7+ day park hopper ticket.

In other words...so many people will abuse it, that they will force Disney to do whatever they can to stop it, thereby blocking many people from abusing the system (as in the case with people who buy extra days only to sell them off), but effectively ruining a good thing for innocent people who only wanted to utilize the system for its intended purpose (as in the case of U.S. residents who would still like to be able to purchase 7+ day park hoppers for legitimate personal use, but no longer can). A few bad apples, and all of that...

Aaahhh, people. They just never fail to further decrease my faith in humanity...

 

[JonKPest]

It seems to me that many of the dogs I have seen in the parks are being trained to be service dogs. I am sure that not all the dogs pass their training program. They are not all cut out for such a tough job. I have also seen a trailer parked by the Mickey and friends parking structure that will hold about 10 service dogs. It has the dogs names on some of the doors. The dogs have to learn somewhere, why not The Happiest Place on Earth?

 

[Malcon10t]

It seems to me that many of the dogs I have seen in the parks are being trained to be service dogs. I am sure that not all the dogs pass their training program. They are not all cut out for such a tough job. I have also seen a trailer parked by the Mickey and friends parking structure that will hold about 10 service dogs. It has the dogs names on some of the doors. The dogs have to learn somewhere, why not The Happiest Place on Earth?

That trailer is for the Anaheim PD security dogs. There are generally 3-4 security dogs in the park at any time. They have very different training, so it is funny when we run across one in the park, and they start barking. The handler of the large yellow lab jokingly said one time to his pup "Why can't you act like that pup??" as ours sat there looking at the barking dog with a look that said "Ohhhh, mom is going to be mad....."

 

[Geemo]

These pictures remind me of the current and past pups that have been raised by my neighbor. They train for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I cry each time the dogs are called back for their advanced training. It amazes me what dogs can be trained to do for people. I love the freedom it gives the person once they get their dog, their smiles are indescribable.

I commend you and your family for your dedication to puppy raising. Thank you!!

We raise service dogs for a non-profit. (Team Disney even raise one for our org, was really fun to see.) My daughter also has a hearing dog. It is common to see us in the park.

Sleeping at Candlelight, they even gave her her own seat!

Mickey LOVES her!

One of our pups in training, while he made the height requirement, he couldn't ride...

She loved Dumbo

And Nemo

They love TSI.

 

[Scribble Kitty]

... I can hear their little dog thoughts now,"Ooooh....I can't wait to see Pluto today"

Pluto seems to be the most excited dog here

(Not my dogs, just a picture I found that reminded me of this thread.)