Dogs in the units???

[DVC Grammy]

Pat:

I know what it is like to miss a beloved pet (This froggie is a cat person too!)

I am not an expert, and I hope one of the DISabilities Mods chimes in......

but, it is my understanding that all you need is a Doctor's note to have a pet 'declared' a service animal.

In your case, Spicey calmed anxiety and lowered your BP, so many Docs may have signed off.

Of course, like any good thing, there are always abusers. Handicapped Parking Permits, Welfare, 'Earned' Income Credits, etc. You have chosen the high road, sadly others will not.

Now, (knowing me) I violated the no pets rule 1.5 times at OKW (in the past).

Once we found a frog in our room (at check-in), and we allowed him to stay with us (he got the Jacuzzi) until check-out. I consider that the 0.5 violation. He wasn't our pet to start with, and he was in the room before us. He was let go the night before check-out.

On our last visit, right before our Horsedrawn Carriage ride around FW, a cute Easten Toad (since named Disney), hopped out in front of us. We brought her into the room (after the horsey ride), for our last night at OKW (Another Jacuzzi guest), and took her home with us. BTW she's doing well with her big sister Anna. (My DD's first frog catch when she was 4).

Broke the rules, absolutely. However, my moral compass doesn't seem to be working, as I'm still sleeping well at night. Also, no frog, err 'pixie dust' was left behind, on the walls or elsewhere. No late night croaking disturbed other guests (as there were no episodes of croaking), and the local insect population was slightly diminished that last night (she is a GOOD eater).

Maybe I'll add a photo later.

-Tony

There is the possibility that the Eastern Toad was a SERVICE Eastern Toad (some are), so you might have been well within the guidelines. Unfortunately, everyone knows that any Tree frog ONLY services TREES, so unless you're an oak, or a maple, or some other variety, you DEFINITELY BROKE THE RULES!!

 

[crisi]

I have a friend who trains service dogs. She says that the increase in people who claim their animal is a service animal is doing a great disservice to the service animals that are needed and trained. Trained service animals go through extensive training. A dog or cat that is a stress releaving companion may do your blood pressure good, but hasn't been through the training that differentiates a service animal. Because these animals occationally misbehave in ways very unlikely for a trained service animal to do, they are giving service animals a bad name - and making it harder for people who need their animals to exercise their rights.

 

[tfc3rid]

I think a lot of fols want to get their dogs certified as 'service animals' in order to save some expenses.

That being said a lot of places are now becoming 'pet friendly' and that's a good thing. I for one am allergic to just about everything but I have a Yorkshire Terrier since they are hypo-allergenic and will cause no allergic reaction... However, it's most important to follow the rules and not be selfish!

 

[spiceycat]

I have a friend who trains service dogs. She says that the increase in people who claim their animal is a service animal is doing a great disservice to the service animals that are needed and trained. Trained service animals go through extensive training. A dog or cat that is a stress releaving companion may do your blood pressure good, but hasn't been through the training that differentiates a service animal. Because these animals occationally misbehave in ways very unlikely for a trained service animal to do, they are giving service animals a bad name - and making it harder for people who need their animals to exercise their rights.

I agreed - especially when I meet people with dogs who say they trained themselves......

I went through dog trainning with my brother's dogs and since most dog are so territority it is hard to train them not to defend. this little one she had as a prime example of not going through trainning - when he/she was awake - constantly growling at everyone.

Spicey was sweet. he would and did let anyone who wanted to pet him - do it. he never growled, scratched or bite anyone (okay me - but cats do not like to take baths). but he was born this way. most cats aren't that friendly or ease going. they get upset in a different place, don't like changes and hate car trips. Spicey actually like all those things. So he was definitely one of a kind.

back in the old days before DVC - he and I was riding in the tram - he was on the way to the kennel I was going to the parks. anyway a family got on and the little girl was crying her eyes out - she didn't want to go. her mother without asking took Spicey out of my arms and he stopped the girl crying. So his charms worked on others besides me. I had a problem getting him back to take him to the kennel.

oh after this I decide to walk to the kennel. (this was at Epcot- before it allowed pets overnight so no kennel parking then)

Granny, Greenban, Diane - on one of those others WDW boards there is a frog.....

 

[LisaS]

OK so we've had dogs in the units and frogs in the units, has anybody seen a DVC member bring their potbellied pig with them ? Then we would have... hogs in the units!

 

[mom2alix]

OK so we've had dogs in the units and frogs in the units, has anybody seen a DVC member bring their potbellied pig with them ? Then we would have... hogs in the units!

I think my family might have qualified after getting the dining plan last trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think my family might have qualified after getting the dining plan last trip.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing!

AS for service dogs, there are service dogs that have hidden purposes. I have a friend who is narcoleptic and needs her service dog to insure that she takes her meds on time. If she falls asleep, she is very difficult to rouse, and without her meds, she can fall asleep at any time and place. Her service dog has made it possible for her to again drive and travel and even go back to school. He wears his own little digital alarm in his service vest, and when it vibrates, he scratches on her to remind her to take her meds. He also alerts if she falls asleep when she is not supposed to, and will litterally drag her until she awakens. I do believe though, that a service dog MUST be wearing an official service vest or ID to indicate that they are a service dog. Doesn't sound to me like the ones spotted by the OP were.

 

[LisaS]

I think my family might have qualified after getting the dining plan last trip.

 

[Loco4Disney]

Diane:

It may have ben the same frog, we found him in the front hall closet!

-Tony

err....This is not the first time I've come across a post about frogs in the units!! I'm not used to all of this "wildlife"! Are bugs and frogs common at DVC resorts?? Is it the humidity??

 

[dianeschlicht]

err....This is not the first time I've come across a post about frogs in the units!! I'm not used to all of this "wildlife"! Are bugs and frogs common at DVC resorts?? Is it the humidity??

Bugs, frogs, little enole lizzards etc. etc. etc. are all common all over Florida. It's a very humid area, and all those things enjoy the climate there. To get away from them completely, you would need to vacation in a different local.

 

[BroganMc]

Bugs, frogs, little enole lizzards etc. etc. etc. are all common all over Florida. It's a very humid area, and all those things enjoy the climate there. To get away from them completely, you would need to vacation in a different local.

Not at Disney yet (since I ws only there in the cold December weeks), but I've had plenty of little lizards in my Marriott timeshares. Came home, went to the bathroom, looked up and there was a little 2 incher staring back at me. I'm not sure which of us was more surprised.

Lil' bugger ran off into my room not to be seen for at least 2 days. Iwas convinced he was living under my bed and would crawl out at night just to stare at me. We debated taking him home to my nephews but felt it was wrong to take the thing out of its natural habitat. So he got chased out onto the golf course.

As for service dogs, nurse at my doc's been recommending I try one since I started driving and going out my alone. Trouble is I travel too much and just can't see putting a dog through that. I'd love one. My old black lab died about 4 years ago. So far it's just the siamese/tabby mix cat who claims our home, but then she's decided my dad is her favorite. She just tolerates me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't forget about the Palmetto bugs, Diane. People who don't live in the South are really not that familiar with them.

 

[JMLBrats]

well changing the tone here a little bit, I think it would be awesome if they had some rooms set aside specifically for people to bring dogs. I would never ever even think of attempting to break the rules and bring my dog believe me, but if there were designated rooms for it then it might be an option for us. And yes I know you can bring dogs to FW if you camp or have an RV, but I just think it would be cool to have certain units that allowed dogs. I have a feeling that I'm in the minority on this one though.... I'm not into the idea of bringing our dog along to stick him in the WDW kennels either-doesn't sound like a good idea for us although it is good that they offer That option for those who want it. Our spoiled mutt gets to hang out in a "doggie hotel" equipped w/TV, AC/heat and beds and our cat gets to room w/him too-not a bad deal while we're away....at least I don't feel TOO guilty while we're gone

 

[dianeschlicht]

well changing the tone here a little bit, I think it would be awesome if they had some rooms set aside specifically for people to bring dogs. I would never ever even think of attempting to break the rules and bring my dog believe me, but if there were designated rooms for it then it might be an option for us. And yes I know you can bring dogs to FW if you camp or have an RV, but I just think it would be cool to have certain units that allowed dogs. I have a feeling that I'm in the minority on this one though.... I'm not into the idea of bringing our dog along to stick him in the WDW kennels either-doesn't sound like a good idea for us although it is good that they offer That option for those who want it. Our spoiled mutt gets to hang out in a "doggie hotel" equipped w/TV, AC/heat and beds and our cat gets to room w/him too-not a bad deal while we're away....at least I don't feel TOO guilty while we're gone

So would you propose that this be a specific booking catagory? I don't see any way that could be facilitated in resorts like the DVC ones that strive for being completely booked at all times. I would think if they did this, it would need to be not only a seperate booking catagory, but even a seperate membership catagory....heck maybe a seperate resort. I show dogs and I travel to dog shows and stay in many hotels that do allow dogs. Do I take them up to the room? NO! First of all, most hotels that allow dogs only allow them in smoking rooms. I can't tolerate a smoking room, so I leave the dogs in their kennels in the van or I leave them at the dog show where their environment is climate controlled if that is necessary. I do NOT think there should be any exceptions to allowing pets in DVC or any other timeshare for that matter. Remember, you are NOT the ONLY one who owns it, and it could be a severe health issue for some other owners....Just as smoking is.

FYI, I also own a kennel, and I can tell you that most dogs LOVE coming to the kennel when their owners vacation. It's like thier spa trip too. I don't think it is fair to anyone to take a pet on vacation and expect it to stay with you. Certainly, the pet can't come to the parks, so it's going to sit all day alone in the unit???? I don't think so.

 

[JimC]

For those interested:

Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and National Association of Attorneys General created a Disabilities Rights Task Force in 1996. The link is to their joint document providing information regarding the use of service animals.

 

[BroganMc]

I don't think it is fair to anyone to take a pet on vacation and expect it to stay with you. Certainly, the pet can't come to the parks, so it's going to sit all day alone in the unit???? I don't think so.

People are thinking to put their pets in the kennel while they are at the parks?

 

[dianeschlicht]

People are thinking to put their pets in the kennel while they are at the parks?

Well, if they can be there during park time, they can be there overnight also. I found it a big hassle when we had the dogs with us for the combined dog show/WDW trip. We spent more time running back and forth to the kennel to excercise dogs than we did enjoying the vacation.

 

[AKVCRVDVC]

My mil used to have this little yorkshire terrier. It was tiny, maybe 2 pounds. She would always keep her in the kennels, usually at ft. wilderness. One time a few years ago (2003-4?) we were checking in to beach club villas. She decided that she was going to kennel her in epcot I think because of the proximity. As we were checking in she asked the CM at the desk about how to get to the Epcot kennel. And the CM told her just to keep it in the room. I swear. She didn't, but the CM said it.

 

[CarolMN]

Not all pet owners are responsible - no way do I want to listen to other people's pets bark or watch them run amok or worse. I also don't want to pay increased maintenance fees to have someone clean up after them or increased insurance premiums in case one of them bites another guest.

Since there is no way to know in advance which pet owners are responsible or which pets are well trained, I think DVC is very smart to allow only service animals!

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[Dean]

Is dog walking restricted to the kennel area? If so this lady was lost.

Not allowed on property at all.

what some people call service dogs - anyone else would say pets.

One of the resorts I own at has had a real problem with people taking pets and saying they were service animals when they were not. For this reason they've passed a rule requiring advanced notice, cleaning deposit and liability with fines.