Lots of service dogs this trip

[AngiTN]

I'll tell you right now, all that money on a hotel... I'm not putting up with a barking dog.

Yes, I do agree. Had they bothered us I would have. These dogs only barked when their family walked in the door of the room. They did not bark when alone or when the family was in the room. And yes, it was more than 1 dog, from the sounds of it. Though we only saw one on the balcony.

 

[DaisyJ]

Therapy dogs are not service dogs and should not be treated as such, and generally aren't from what I know. From what I know, on planes most airlines' policy is to have the pet in a container. Most restaurants that are ok with dogs require them to be at the outside tables. Disney only allows service dogs, and I hope they enforce that well enough. Otherwise it would put the guests at risk, especially if someone were to bring a biting dog (and the dog owner would also be risking lots of lawsuits)

Disney allows anyone that brings in any dog, service or otherwise. All they have to do is make up some bull cocky excuse for what service the dog performs.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Well, people put their babies in shopping carts and I think babies leak more than dogs.

Babies wear diapers, though.....

 

[jo-jo]

A few years ago, we saw a couple that had a dog in a stroller. Thing is, guy sat with dog and woman went into store shopping, later she sat with dog and guy got food at CS. Hopefully the dog had long range ESP to help with whatever need there was.

Several people pause with "what a cute dog" type comment, and the woman beamed like she just won baby of the year award.

Is there any real reason a service dog would ever be in a stroller?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

And as we speak I'm sitting in Epcot waiting for Illuminations to start and I see another gentleman strolling along with his "service" animal dog trotting along by.

have a friend who has a service dog for her epilepsy and that is how her dog works. if you would see them he would be following her along. by the way her dog is a small sheltie

 

[HopperFan]

I'm guessing that it's going to be just like the DAS abuse, they'll let the animal situation alone until something bad happens or there are enough complaints that they have to address it.

And it's going to get very sticky because of ADA protections. But we are at a new level with humanity that dogs are extremely important parts of people's lives. We were shopping for condo in FL and our #1 condition was our dogs had to be welcome. The realtors told us that dogs are such an important factor that many complexes that used to ban them, now allow them. We see more and more restaurants everywhere with patio seating specifically so people can bring their dogs. I've noticed an increase in hotels that cater to dogs (for a fee).

DS told me something that caused me to do some reading/research and apparently a top reason for millennials and young people to buy homes is for their dog. Couple things I found ...

"The survey asked recent home buyers why they were buying their first home and their dog was the third most commonly cited reason, coming above children and marriage. Only more living space and the opportunity to build equity came above the furry companions."

"Young Americans are less likely to be homeowners, car owners or parents than their predecessors, but they do lead in one category: Pets."

Add to that the number of empty nesters who are getting dogs .......... we have a society that doesn't believe in yard dog houses but rather dogs having four poster beds inside. I can say nothing, we have two dogs who tend to rule the house ... and if needing to leave them go to a pet resort complete with bone shaped built in swimming pool.

I agree that there is an increase in dogs showing up in places you wouldn't normally see them, one is Disney. And it's going to impact all businesses, transportation etc and it's time ........ for the benefit of those individuals who truly need a service dog ................. for the ADA to have strict guidelines, rules, mandatory certification, ID cards etc for those approved.

Something will happen and it's likely going to be someone getting bit because the "support dog" has not been trained to remain calm, remain in control, focused on their owner/job. It's the old why we can't have nice things ........... folks bringing in un-specialized un-trained dogs that shouldn't be in a theme park, are going to make life even more difficult for those who truly need them.

Protections are too broad and too weak, and will have to change as our society has moved to replacing children with dogs.

Babies wear diapers, though.....

Diapers leak, especially if parent is trying to get shopping done with a half full cart and not paying attention or think they can make it. There are also lots of toddlers in the midst of training without diapers, that don't make it. A housebroken dog is unlikely to have an accident.

 

[AngiTN]

And it's going to get very sticky because of ADA protections.

Yes, but wasn't ADA protections one of the main sticky wickets regarding their delay in stopping GAC/DAS abuse too? They did come up with something that worked, at least it seems like it did. You don't hear about the abuse you once did.
I understand their reluctance to want to step on toes. But as you said, these untrained or improperly trained animals are a danger. To other guests, to CM, to even the families that bring them. In hot/crowded/stressful environments it's only a matter of when, not if, something happens. It will eventually. Not with properly trained service animals but with these others animals it will. Heaven help Disney when that happens. Especially if they do have the questions in place and aren't asking them.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Is there any real reason a service dog would ever be in a stroller?

Yes, if it was a smaller dog and you didn't want it to get trampled by the crowd, especially after a parade/fireworks show when there's a stampede. Also, service dogs can potentially develop leg issues like any other dog and cant handle walking miles

 

[wilkeliza]

Yes, but wasn't ADA protections one of the main sticky wickets regarding their delay in stopping GAC/DAS abuse too? They did come up with something that worked, at least it seems like it did. You don't hear about the abuse you once did.
I understand their reluctance to want to step on toes. But as you said, these untrained or improperly trained animals are a danger. To other guests, to CM, to even the families that bring them. In hot/crowded/stressful environments it's only a matter of when, not if, something happens. It will eventually. Not with properly trained service animals but with these others animals it will. Heaven help Disney when that happens. Especially if they do have the questions in place and aren't asking them.

Nope ADA had nothing to do with GAC/DAS because the ADA doesn't actually say they have to provide an alternate wait area it just says there has to be equal access so the wheelchair entrance/exit or the lines being accessible makes it compliant. I don't think the ADA has been updated to require accommodations for queuing situations or every restaurant, grocery store, airport, etc would have to provide and accommodation similar to GAC/DAS. Also if there was an ADA compliance issue every theme park in the US wouldn't have different rules.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I hadn't even thought about that. We stayed at BWI last year and the guests in the room next to us had a dog in it. We heard it barking when the returned in the room and saw it walk out on the balcony. We know the staff was aware as the maids were in the hall and also heard it barking when the guests returned to the room, they all turned to look, just like we did, when they all walked in the to the barking dog.
It didn't occur to me at the time that they'd been out with out the dog though at the time I did have my doubts about it being a legit service dog as it was a very small dog that would not be a typical service dog. I'm sure it was possible but I'm going to bet that it was not and knowing now that Disney won't question guests claims regarding animals they want to bring to resorts and or parks I doubt it even more.

I'm guessing that it's going to be just like the DAS abuse, they'll let the animal situation alone until something bad happens or there are enough complaints that they have to address it.

my guess the dog could been a detection dog ie epilepsy. friend has one and it is a small dog

 

[Aurora0427]

Yes, but wasn't ADA protections one of the main sticky wickets regarding their delay in stopping GAC/DAS abuse too? They did come up with something that worked, at least it seems like it did. You don't hear about the abuse you once did.
I understand their reluctance to want to step on toes. But as you said, these untrained or improperly trained animals are a danger. To other guests, to CM, to even the families that bring them. In hot/crowded/stressful environments it's only a matter of when, not if, something happens. It will eventually. Not with properly trained service animals but with these others animals it will. Heaven help Disney when that happens. Especially if they do have the questions in place and aren't asking them.

You'd think Disney would be worried about lawsuits. I love dogs, but if a fake service dog bit one of my kids, I'd seriously consider suing Disney and the owner. Disney for not doing more to prevent non service dogs from entering the parks, and the owner for blatantly bringing in an animal who has no business being there.

 

[mousefan73]

A few years ago, we saw a couple that had a dog in a stroller. Thing is, guy sat with dog and woman went into store shopping, later she sat with dog and guy got food at CS. Hopefully the dog had long range ESP to help with whatever need there was.

Several people pause with "what a cute dog" type comment, and the woman beamed like she just won baby of the year award.

Is there any real reason a service dog would ever be in a stroller?

I hope this thread doesn't get too off topic, but i have seen many older women pushing their normal dogs in a stroller..A sight to be seen.. usually your smaller, purse dogs.. without sounding snarky.. some people think their dogs are their children or a replacement hench a stroller they treat them as such and often better than actual humans... I had a dog and loved it too, but it was a dog. Back in the good old days, 80s, dogs were dogs and loved as a family member but kept at home or in the yard. Today dogs are spoiled more... by my old neighborhood, there was a doggie bakery...!!! organic doggie treats for your dog.. had a counter, instead of donuts etc... you picked out dog treats.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Babies wear diapers, though.....

diapers do leek and sometimes when baby is in shopping cart. been there and had it happen with grandkids

 

[mousefan73]

This whole thread just made me think of Carrie Fisher.. Wonder if Gary the Dog was ever at Disney.. He was her emotional support dog.

 

[AngiTN]

my guess the dog could been a detection dog ie epilepsy. friend has one and it is a small dog

It was alone in their room. So whatever service it was supposed to provide it wasn't providing it. If a dog is a service dog it is to be with the person with the need at all times, not alone in the room

 

[Betty Rohrer]

It was alone in their room. So whatever service it was supposed to provide it wasn't providing it. If a dog is a service dog it is to be with the person with the need at all times, not alone in the room

she did leave in room on time so she did not have to take to food court when was crowded with a lot of young kids so she did not have to watch all kids would leave a lone and not step on as happened the day before. yes she was there as part of the kids.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Yes, if it was a smaller dog and you didn't want it to get trampled by the crowd, especially after a parade/fireworks show when there's a stampede. Also, service dogs can potentially develop leg issues like any other dog and cant handle walking miles

Next thing we'll be seeing is doggie ECVs.

 

[Dismama2boys]

diapers do leek and sometimes when baby is in shopping cart. been there and had it happen with grandkids

I understand - I have 3 young children. I was just....surprised....that someone would compare a pet to a baby as far as cleanliness. The poster specifically said baby, not toddler. A baby is unlikely to have a diaper problem in a cart, and babies are rarely in direct contact with a cart. Toddlers are a different story. Off topic totally, but I'm sort of amazed that anyone would assume a shopping cart was anything other than filthy, animals and toddlers aside. Wash everything.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I understand - I have 3 young children. I was just....surprised....that someone would compare a pet to a baby as far as cleanliness. The poster specifically said baby, not toddler. A baby is unlikely to have a diaper problem in a cart, and babies are rarely in direct contact with a cart. Toddlers are a different story. Off topic totally, but I'm sort of amazed that anyone would assume a shopping cart was anything other than filthy, animals and toddlers aside. Wash everything.

with my youngest grandchild it was when she was a baby that she had the blow outs and more than one while in shopping cart

 

[Dismama2boys]

Diapers leak, especially if parent is trying to get shopping done with a half full cart and not paying attention or think they can make it. There are also lots of toddlers in the midst of training without diapers, that don't make it. A housebroken dog is unlikely to have an accident.

Totally. I think the poster I was responding to, while they said "baby", actually meant "toddler". I was confused that one would think a baby was equally as dirty as a dog. I said it to another poster, but I'm amazed that anyone would think a shopping cart was anything less than filthy, dogs and toddlers aside.