Dog at Castaway Cay

[cypressmom]

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.

What is a litter dog?

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

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.

Skye's owner is a Disboard poster. Wonder if she has a copy of that picture still.

 

[GEB@okw]

I do not know why, but customers bring their dogs into my store. Totally in violation of health laws. Why would someone bring their smelly dog into someones private property with out asking first? I certainly would never walk into their house with a dog without asking first.

 

[sue]

I wonder if the service dogs or cats would get sea sick?? I know we have a prescription for one of our dogs for motion sickness. How special though to be dog and get to go on such a trip huh? We have been on some pretty choppy waters... would love to see a dog walk around onboard during these times LOL

 

[Doinitwell]

This dog had a red vest on. I am certainly not qualified to determine whether the dog was "legitimate" or not. I assumed it was. I had just never heard of one being used to help with balance and thought the dog was kind of small for that.

 

[john4795]

I wonder how much extra Disney charges for the dog?

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

I've had Siamese most of my life and Tonkinese for almost 10 years. They are very intelligent, loyal and trainable. Tonks are extremely affectionate, playful and love to cuddle, thus their nickname "velcro" kitties. Both breeds are very sensitive to their owners moods. They can be housebroken and/or toliet trained (yes, I'm serious), walk on a leash, fetch and come when called. (not just "kitty", they respond to THEIR name) Both breeds can be quite chatty too.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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.

And here it is!

 

[Cruise]

Best. Hidden. Mickey. Ever.

 

[OrcaPotter]

I would imagine that cruise lines must require some sort of proof of certification before they allow any sort of service animal on the ship. There must be some sort of regulation for safety reasons.

It reminds me of that college student in the news a few months ago who was wanting to sue her college for not allowing her to stay in the dorm with her "service" guinea pig. People use various animals for various health needs, but I do believe the animals should be certified and approved before they're given exceptions in public spaces. Could you imagine someone's random critter loose on the ship? If the animal is not trained, then it's not a service animal.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I would imagine that cruise lines must require some sort of proof of certification before they allow any sort of service animal on the ship. There must be some sort of regulation for safety reasons.

It reminds me of that college student in the news a few months ago who was wanting to sue her college for not allowing her to stay in the dorm with her "service" guinea pig. People use various animals for various health needs, but I do believe the animals should be certified and approved before they're given exceptions in public spaces. Could you imagine someone's random critter loose on the ship? If the animal is not trained, then it's not a service animal.

read post #19

 

[bumbershoot]

Actual trained service dogs are very hard to get, I've heard!

If the animal is not trained, then it's not a service animal.

Trained in WHAT? I know you are thinking about a seeing eye dog, or something similar, where there IS training involved.

But there are also dogs (and other animals) who simply have a knack for noticing things. Things like impending seizures, or blood sugar swings. The animals can alert the owners so that the owners can get safe; to eat something, use insulin, stop driving, sit down, and so on.

Those are bonafide, helpful, lifesaving service dogs, but they don't necessarily come from one of the places that sets out to train dogs to be of service to people.

On a cruise I saw a litter dog. Every time I saw the dog it was wiih a new person.

What is a litter dog?

And as you know, there are people who train the dogs. I'm not sure if the person is on the dis, but I've read posts on mouseplanet by someone who trains them, and the dog spends time with every member of the family.

Or what if the dog needs to go "out", but the owner just isn't up to taking the dog? Would be a completely reasonable explanation.

Don't get me wrong, I know there are cheaters. We ended up moving from an apartment complex because we were tired of being the "take down everything hinky that happens so we can have the record to prove the dog isn't a service dog" people. I lived upstairs from a woman who SAID that her pitbull (a breed not otherwise allowed at that apartment complex) detected her seizures. Little problem, she was NEVER with the dog. The dog was big, untrained in ANY way, the woman had a series of random boyfriends who had NO authority over it. They would let the dog out to do her business without actually going down to the lawn with her, and my husband was trapped in his car twice by this, with the dog standing at his door, threatening him. She was protective over the entire building, and the man took far too long to get the dog away from DH's car so DH could get to our apartment. (hubby = big strong man who grew up with a german shepherd (and big smart, protective standard poodles), but this dog scared him)

The woman would leave her 4 year old home with random boyfriend and dog, and the little girl loved to stand at her open apartment door with the dog next to her (protecting her). My son and I stayed in our apartment more and more, because I was so scared of her opening the door right as we walked by, and having the dog decide I was an intruder.

So we left. But during the time that we were trying to help out the apartment manager, I researched the heck out of the ADA, and ended up JUST FINE with the current (at the time) laws, because I don't want to be responsible for making a person's life even harder than it already is.

We also moved out when the woman got a second one and didn't tell management about it. And still left both dogs at home, making the concept of them being seizure-detecting dogs for her even more suspect.

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.

That is pretty darned cool!

 

[jeffann6]

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.

I read on a post some where that there was a lady that had a Chiwawa that she carried around the ship. She explained to some one that the dog was a service animal and that she needed the dog for emotional support.
The person made a comment in the post that the little dog seemed to be more nervous than the woman and she was probably emotional support for her dog.
There are those I guess that consider their animals part of the family and just can't be with out them but I agree there are those that do abuse this. No different the people that rent the motorized scooters at the parks because they don't want to walk, yes it does happen. One gentleman said it was a good way to get to the front of the ride lines. Go figure :

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I read on a post some where that there was a lady that had a Chiwawa that she carried around the ship. She explained to some one that the dog was a service animal and that she needed the dog for emotional support.
The person made a comment in the post that the little dog seemed to be more nervous than the woman and she was probably emotional support for her dog.
There are those I guess that consider their animals part of the family and just can't be with out them but I agree there are those that do abuse this. No different the people that rent the motorized scooters at the parks because they don't want to walk, yes it does happen. One gentleman said it was a good way to get to the front of the ride lines. Go figure :

This is a perfect example............a emotional dog is a therapy dog not a service animal and the rules are very different..........IE they are not allowed on ship!. If any cruise line does its there choice. These untrained animals being called a service or therapy animals being brought into situations they are not trained to handle, IE crowds, etc.


One court case in that a woman was bragging to her family and friends that she was bringing her little *FIFI* on the plane with her claiming she was a service dog. Well the woman decided the dog needed to be released from its carrier during the flight and it ran away from her down the aisle and bite another passenger and a TA.the poor animal was scared to all get out!...........The woman is being sued and her own bragging is sinking her!


Another case were people put their own silly feelings ahead of the safely and good of there pets and causing more problems for the people that really need
the help of a service dog or REAL therapy animal.

AKK

 

[OrcaPotter]

read post #19

Post #19 refers to the fact that businesses cannot ask an individual for more information further than whether or not the animal is for service or not. From what I can find, the law is really vague as far as the legality of service animals. Apparently, it's a big problem: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20...0405_1_service-dogs-service-animals-guide-dog

Trained in WHAT? I know you are thinking about a seeing eye dog, or something similar, where there IS training involved.

But there are also dogs (and other animals) who simply have a knack for noticing things. Things like impending seizures, or blood sugar swings. The animals can alert the owners so that the owners can get safe; to eat something, use insulin, stop driving, sit down, and so on.

Those are bonafide, helpful, lifesaving service dogs, but they don't necessarily come from one of the places that sets out to train dogs to be of service to people.

See above link. Here is a quote:

Legitimate service dogs, of almost any size and breed, can be taught a variety of tasks that include alerting a deaf person to sirens or alarms, retrieving medication, warning of impending seizures and stopping autistic children from wandering off.

The dogs can be trained to wake up a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder who's having a nightmare and help prevent or interrupt destructive or impulsive behavior by someone with a neurological or psychiatric disability, Kutsukos said.

Such skills can be taught to animals. It seems to me that if an animal is not given formal training on how to behave in a public setting, that animal is potentially a hazard. From what I've been able to deduce so far from searching the internet, the current disability laws involving service animals are vague. It seems like the cruise lines are limited in what they must require from individuals claiming a service animal. Not sure about the credentials of this page, but here is one source that lists what cruise lines need to allow a person to board with a service dog: http://www.guidetocruising.com/cruise-faq-tac20/cruise-with-service-animals-gap14.htm

What you will need when cruising with your service animal.

1) Vaccination Status and Rabies Vaccination Certificate or Blood Titer Test. Documentation showing your service animal is current on all vaccines, especially rabies.
2) For their protection your service dog must be on medication for heartworm and an anti-flea and tick medication.
3) Department of Food and Agriculture - Certificate for Interstate or International Movement of Small Animals form. (You can obtain this from your veterinarian)
4) Animal License from your city of residence.
5) Certificate/diploma/license, etc. that shows your dog has been trained as a service animal, if available.*
6) Copy of your Passport and Drivers License.
7) Information about your service animal's microchip.

Fax copies to both your travel agent and the cruise lines. You will also need to produce these documents upon arrival and at every port where you disembark. Prepare 3 complete packets - one for your purse or carry on, one in your suitcase, and give one to the ship for their records when you board.

* Certification is not required in the USA, in order to allow people to train their own dogs if a program dog is not available. The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) has information on the minimum training standards to pass the Public Access Certification Test, which will help you determine if your dog is ready for full public access rights as an assistance dog.

When I was on the Dream last January, I met a very nice gentleman from the DISboards and his service dog, Bingo. He has been on more than several cruises with his service dog. Regardless if his owner was obvious handicapped or not, it's clearly obvious Bingo is well-trained.

But I would have a problem with someone who claims their Fido is a service dog when they just want him for whatever reason other than a documented need, and then Fido piddles around the ship or whatever. I'd think the mothers of children with extreme allergies would hold issue with that, too. It seems like a disservice to those with legitimate, trained animals. Not to mention that even though there are very little ways for a business to prove the animal is not legit, that if they are caught, it's supposedly a felony.

Seems to me that why bother having a certification process if it is not required? I think there would have to be a very public incident involving non-trained, non-certified "service" animals in order for there to be any push for stricter laws.

 

[brookepi]

I wonder if the service dogs or cats would get sea sick?? I know we have a prescription for one of our dogs for motion sickness. How special though to be dog and get to go on such a trip huh? We have been on some pretty choppy waters... would love to see a dog walk around onboard during these times LOL

Some dogs and cats definitely do get motion sickness. I have prescribed meds to help with both sea and car sickness.

And although not a service animal, my cat is a certified therapy cat and is very comfortable going into nursing homes and such. Always looking for a nice warm body to lay on

 

[rantnnravin]

What is a litter dog?

maybe it picks up trash?

 

[cypressmom]

maybe it picks up trash?

 

[disneydreamer82]

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.

We too have seen a service pooch on one of our cruises, sure made me miss my doggie!!!

 

[TnRobin]

This thread is no longer about planning or reporting about cruises on Disney Cruiseline.

I have not problem with the discussion since it remained civil, but it is off topic for this board. Please feel free to continue this discussion on the community board.