Dog at Castaway Cay

[Doinitwell]

I was surprised to see a dog at Castaway Cay. The woman who had the dog on a leash said she had the dog because she recently had surgery and her left side was weak and that she needed the dog to help her keep her balance. The dog looked to be a Boston Terrier type.

 

[Cruise]

There are a couple of posters here on the DIS that have cruised with service animals before. Disney supplies a "potty patch" out that goes out on the balcony.

 

[justmestace]

I can't imagine a dog the size of a Boston Terrier being much help in keeping your balance. I did know a woman who had a Lab for that purpose, and he cruised with her.
Usually the smaller dogs are for emotional support, or they can be trained to tell if their owner is heading for a diabetic coma or a seizure.

 

[Momma2Jax]

I have seen a few threads of people wondering about dogs, and even being so bold as to say that person didn't need a service dog (as if we can see everyone's lives in a few seconds) but I always think that no one would go through all the trouble of taking a dog on a cruise just for kicks and giggles! The fact is, if they have them, they most likely have the right to, and the right to privacy as to why.

 

[Bear3412]

Orrrr.... The flip side is, folks expand the flimsy rules and can't live without their animal. Just saying. Have you flown lately, Oh my. What are the odds of 3 service animals, at least, on both flights on a round trip? I suppose is was to MCO, so .... but still. The rules need to be enforced, or next year "we"will be flying, and cruising with are kitty. Can service animals be a cat?

I love animals and they love me too. I can completely relate and grasp the importance and necessity of service critters. I comprehend the unique abilities of animals and their benefit to humans. I also understand many times a service animal is there for a reason not obvious to others.

I'm just saying, I've seen folks push this service animal to the limit. Although I am only making an observation based on my recent experiences. I feel the authorities involved should verify the need and issue IDs for those truly needed animals.

It seems these days you only need to say the code words, then they will allow anything on board anything.
Well I guess they allow me on board, so that says something.

Rant over.

I'm ready. I have my flame suit on, but please be gentle, my intentions are honorable.

 

[Momma2Jax]

No I'm sure there are some that abuse it, as some people abuse all services and rights. But we aren't really the people in charge of judging that. We can't see every disability, and it is rude to be so nosy as to ask. I have a special needs son, and you would not believe how often people think his disabilities are any of their business. I don't mean well-meaning curious people...I mean people saying, "what's WRONG with him!!!?"

The thing is, whether they are abusing the service or not it is illegal for DCL to ask why the service animal is needed, they can only ask for proof of certification. So either way, people who abuse can get around it, and people who don't abuse will be judged.

 

[Bear3412]

I would like to paraphrase my post above.

I wish there was a process by which those who actually truly need animals could go through, and somehow be licensed / validated, so the abuse of the lax system would cease.

 

[Bear3412]

So either way, people who abuse can get around it, and people who don't abuse will be judged.

This.

 

[Momma2Jax]

That's true, that would be best, and it would make it easier for people who really need them to get them, too! Actual trained service dogs are very hard to get, I've heard! But then, what seems to be the best idea just can't be the way it goes....or this wouldn't be good ole 'Merica.

 

[JAM113]

Much as I love my dog, there are days when I regret taking him to dd's soccer game. I can't imagine taking him on a cruise!

 

[Bear3412]

Much as I love my dog, there are days when I regret taking him to dd's soccer game. I can't imagine taking him on a cruise!

I can relate, but what about small cats?

Just asking for the sake of curiosity. Are cats involved in the animal service industry? I'm fascinated with cats of any species, breed, or size.

I think I know now why cats are not in the "seen" service animal group. They don't listen.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I can relate, but what about small cats?

Just asking for the sake of curiosity. Are cats involved in the animal service industry? I'm fascinated with cats of any species, breed, or size.

I think I know now why cats are not in the "seen" service animal group. They don't listen.

On the shot that you are serious in your question (not sure if you are or are not), service cats are used for helping those with seizures, PTSD, autism, to name a few situations.

- Dreams

 

[AC7179]

We cruised with a weenie dog that they dressed up for the themed nights. He was a cute pirate!

 

[Bear3412]

On the shot that you are serious in your question (not sure if you are or are not), service cats are used for helping those with seizures, PTSD, autism, to name a few situations.

- Dreams

Yes, this is a consequence of being goofy, however, I was serious in my inquiry. And thank you for you honest reply. I knew cats were to smart to be left out of the group.

 

[Paragd911]

The new ADA law is for dogs only. The airlines are covered under a diff law. They can bring cats on the plane. I'm a service dog trainer and I use one. I know that some people abuse the System. On a cruise I saw a litter dog. Every time I saw the dog it was wiih a new person.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There has been alot of abuse of the service animal rules, and the ADA rules are being reviewed to change them to make it harder to cheat the system.

And its about time, as there are a number of biting/attack lawsuits in the courts involving people who dont think about the good of thier *pets* and take them into situations they are not use to!. These are not service animals.

The changes being considered include, reqiuring all service animals to have a certified organization, whether goverment or private unit, certife the animal is trained to do what they are reqiured to and are not just a *pet*. This will reqiure such organizations/goverment units to be set up to do the certification.

Making it illegal to buy the service animal vests or any item saying the animal is a service animal without the animal being trained/certifed.


The good and help that real service animals provide to the people that need them is life changing for these folks, making their lives so much better and enjoyable. It terrible that some people think they cannot live without little *FIFI* and make it harder for the folks that really need their animals to help them.


FYI...a therpy animal is not a service animal.and the laws and rules are different for them.

AKK

 

[BethC1952]

I can relate, but what about small cats?

Just asking for the sake of curiosity. Are cats involved in the animal service industry? I'm fascinated with cats of any species, breed, or size.

I think I know now why cats are not in the "seen" service animal group. They don't listen.

My medical flexible spending plan would cover "hearing ear cats". I don't have one and don't need one, but I would imagine that they might be used to react to certain things like emergency alarms. When I had cats, they certainly let me know every time the tea kettle whistled or the fire alarm went off. Of course, their warning signal was usually either clawing the skin off my leg or jumping up on the curtains, but they certainly alerted me to the sound.

Beth

 

[tony111]

On the wbta 2010, there was a lady with a gorgeous black labrador (named Skye I believe). We were in Shutters searching for our photos when we came across one of Skye with the white background and Sorceror Mickey knelt down stroking her. I'm not a softie but that photo brought a big lump to my throat. I wanted to buy it, one of the most touching photos I've ever seen . I now regret not asking Skye's owner if I could buy a copy.By the way, Skye had a large litter tray on the jogging deck, near the front of the ship.

 

[NWDAD]

As the law stands right now you can be asked if it is a service dog but you can not be asked more than that and yes some therpy animals are service animals.

Kevin.

 

[john4795]

Here is a picture of a service dog on Castaway Cay. We talked with the young lady several times on the ship. Her dog predicts diabetic attacks for her. The dog was very friendly and never was any trouble to anyone. He was a conversation starter everywhere she went.