Lots of service dogs this trip

[Dismama2boys]

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

Mine sit in a shopping cart cover, so maybe that's why I see it differently. I use a cover because those carts are dirty and gross for a variety of reasons, not just hypothetical diaper blowouts.

 

[piccolopat]

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

Yes, but when accidents happen with kids, know about it and will properly clean the child and the seat. I don't think most pet owners will clean the cart their dog just sat in unless the dog had an accident. It's when they don't have an accident and sit their butt in the cart (after urinating or defecating outside of the store) that is a problem.

 

[CT Disney]

So, just so I'm understanding correctly....the only type of dog that Disney has to allow into the parks and resorts are service dogs, right? They don't have to allow therapy or emotional support dogs? But, the real issue is that Disney does not ask the two necessary questions to confirm that the dog is indeed a service dog?

First, thank you to everyone who came onto the thread to talk about their own service animals. It really is amazing what these dogs can do and how they can enhance the lives of those who need them.

I am generally an "assume the best about people" type of person. But...I was at a family party a few weeks ago and overheard this conversation between two relatives, one of whom loves to take her dog everywhere:

Relative 1: I love to travel with my dog. It's too bad it's so hard to find pet-friendly hotels.
Relative 2: You know, you can just go online and have your dog certified as a service animal. And, then you can bring him everywhere.
Relative 1: Oh wow, I will have to look into that!

Mind you, these two relatives are sweet, lovely, kind older ladies...not the type of person who would "scam the system". It really seemed like they had no idea that what they were discussing was totally wrong. And, if this conversation is happening in my family, it's probably happening in other households too.

I am allergic to dogs so this issue is somewhat personal to me. I would have a hard time in a hotel room that had housed a dog right before me. However, my allergy is not severe and I'd gladly deal with allergy symptoms to accommodate a person who needs a service dog for real and legitimate medical issues. I would not be happy, on the other hand, to deal with allergy issues on vacation because a person brought a dog to Disney just because they wanted to.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I try not to judge but it is people that fake having a disability that make it harder for people like dh and I to get the help we need

 

[epcotty]

WDW should be more concerned about safety. They really need to enforce their rules more and ask questions more often, maybe require legitimate signage/documentation

 

[fbb]

I feel bad for any dog, legit service dog or otherwise, being dragged into a Florida theme park. That pavement is HOT.

Agreed. But I bet my dog would walk through a active volcano to have a go at all the spilled popcorn on Main Street USA!

 

[Dentam]

Yes, but when accidents happen with kids, know about it and will properly clean the child and the seat. I don't think most pet owners will clean the cart their dog just sat in unless the dog had an accident. It's when they don't have an accident and sit their butt in the cart (after urinating or defecating outside of the store) that is a problem.

I think people can get a little too paranoid about this sort of thing... I shop mostly at Target and I know they provide wipes for people to use on the carts as soon as they enter. Doing that and making sure you wash any produce that isn't bagged for some reason is a good a habit, regardless of what has been in the cart before you grabbed it. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry about it. I have indoor cats and a dog who is welcome on all of my furniture and I'm still alive.

 

[AngiTN]

So, just so I'm understanding correctly....the only type of dog that Disney has to allow into the parks and resorts are service dogs, right? They don't have to allow therapy or emotional support dogs? But, the real issue is that Disney does not ask the two necessary questions to confirm that the dog is indeed a service dog?

First, thank you to everyone who came onto the thread to talk about their own service animals. It really is amazing what these dogs can do and how they can enhance the lives of those who need them.

I am generally an "assume the best about people" type of person. But...I was at a family party a few weeks ago and overheard this conversation between two relatives, one of whom loves to take her dog everywhere:

Relative 1: I love to travel with my dog. It's too bad it's so hard to find pet-friendly hotels.
Relative 2: You know, you can just go online and have your dog certified as a service animal. And, then you can bring him everywhere.
Relative 1: Oh wow, I will have to look into that!

Mind you, these two relatives are sweet, lovely, kind older ladies...not the type of person who would "scam the system". It really seemed like they had no idea that what they were discussing was totally wrong. And, if this conversation is happening in my family, it's probably happening in other households too.

I am allergic to dogs so this issue is somewhat personal to me. I would have a hard time in a hotel room that had housed a dog right before me. However, my allergy is not severe and I'd gladly deal with allergy symptoms to accommodate a person who needs a service dog for real and legitimate medical issues. I would not be happy, on the other hand, to deal with allergy issues on vacation because a person brought a dog to Disney just because they wanted to.

Yep, you summed it all up the way I understand it too. I didn't even realize that all myself.
I wasn't aware Disney has question they can ask and just aren't asking them, for whatever reason.

And yes, I am pretty sure that the conversation you overheard is happening all the time. Both innocently as you heard and those who do want to scam with trying to get their animals places they know they don't belong. Just because it's cheaper than finding a kennel or sitter.

 

[AngiTN]

Agreed. But I bet my dog would walk through a active volcano to have a go at all the spilled popcorn on Main Street USA!

Or to chase after those squirrels or ducks

 

[wilkeliza]

Pretty sad when it's tough to feel safe going to WDW. With knowing this it'll be tough for us to feel safe, and undoubtedly countless others will feel the same way. They really need to enforce their rules more and ask questions more often, maybe require legitimate signage/documentation

I'm not sure what you mean by safe but in all the years I've gone to WDW and even worked there I can tell you I've never felt unsafe at the parks. Even when I see a dog that is not behaving properly I've never felt unsafe and those dogs are few and far between.

 

[epcotty]

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.

Definitely. Me too.

CMs asking the allowed questions might help but the owners of non-service animals might be prepared for that. I think that one thing everyone should do when seeing a dog that is obviously not acting like a service dog is: Go to the nearest CM, say "This is definitely not a service dog/ there's a dog that is definitely not a service dog in whatever location. I know because it's not acting like one at all (say what it's doing). Please have this dealt with." Or something to that effect. Then they can correct the error of letting it in. It's for the CMs to deal with anyway.

 

[HopperFan]

So, just so I'm understanding correctly....the only type of dog that Disney has to allow into the parks and resorts are service dogs, right? They don't have to allow therapy or emotional support dogs? But, the real issue is that Disney does not ask the two necessary questions to confirm that the dog is indeed a service dog?

First, thank you to everyone who came onto the thread to talk about their own service animals. It really is amazing what these dogs can do and how they can enhance the lives of those who need them.

I am generally an "assume the best about people" type of person. But...I was at a family party a few weeks ago and overheard this conversation between two relatives, one of whom loves to take her dog everywhere:

Relative 1: I love to travel with my dog. It's too bad it's so hard to find pet-friendly hotels.
Relative 2: You know, you can just go online and have your dog certified as a service animal. And, then you can bring him everywhere.
Relative 1: Oh wow, I will have to look into that!

Mind you, these two relatives are sweet, lovely, kind older ladies...not the type of person who would "scam the system". It really seemed like they had no idea that what they were discussing was totally wrong. And, if this conversation is happening in my family, it's probably happening in other households too.

I am allergic to dogs so this issue is somewhat personal to me. I would have a hard time in a hotel room that had housed a dog right before me. However, my allergy is not severe and I'd gladly deal with allergy symptoms to accommodate a person who needs a service dog for real and legitimate medical issues. I would not be happy, on the other hand, to deal with allergy issues on vacation because a person brought a dog to Disney just because they wanted to.

But honestly it doesn't matter because there is no ADA approved certification of these animals. Therefore even if Disney asks the questions the guest can lie, which they will do, and there is no proof Disney can even ask for.

This problem will have to be resolved at the ADA level and it will take lots of businesses ... theme parks, restaurants, rental companies, hotels etc .... to complain and demand for regulation and licensing put into place. Doing this will insure the trained animals are allowed, and the untrained animals are left home.

 

[jo-jo]

Or to chase after those squirrels or ducks

Last trip, there was a woman with a dog by her side at AK. I asked if being in AK drove her dog nuts with the many, many different animals, not just the mundane sparrow, duck or squirrel. She said nope. Amazing that the dog can be taught to sit no matter what.

 

[Shoshana]

But honestly it doesn't matter because there is no ADA approved certification of these animals.... This problem will have to be resolved at the ADA level and it will take lots of businesses ... theme parks, restaurants, rental companies, hotels etc .... to complain and demand for regulation and licensing put into place. Doing this will insure the trained animals are allowed, and the untrained animals are left home.

and with the rampant and wholesale deregulation that is occurring at the level of the federal government, that's not likely to happen without a major change in the Zeitgeist.

 

[firefly_ris]

I wasn't aware Disney has question they can ask and just aren't asking them, for whatever reason.

A business cannot ask a person what the nature of their disability is, but one question they can ask is what tasks is your dog trained to perform? Anyone with a real service dog should be able to quickly explain what mitigating tasks their dog can perform. Most fakers probably don't bother dreaming up an answer for that ahead of time and may be taken by surprise.

 

[angierae]

And if they would just ask those questions, as people enter the park, or when they check into the resort, it would cut down on the number of dogs at both places.

They are literally not allowed to refuse someone who says their animal is a service animal, per LAW. What exactly do you want DIsney to do about it?

 

[Aurora0427]

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.

I've thought of Gary and Carrie while reading this thread as well. She took him everywhere with her.... he was on the plane with her when she went into cardiac arrest.

 

[wilkeliza]

But honestly it doesn't matter because there is no ADA approved certification of these animals. Therefore even if Disney asks the questions the guest can lie, which they will do, and there is no proof Disney can even ask for.

This problem will have to be resolved at the ADA level and it will take lots of businesses ... theme parks, restaurants, rental companies, hotels etc .... to complain and demand for regulation and licensing put into place. Doing this will insure the trained animals are allowed, and the untrained animals are left home.

I don't think it is just businesses. There need to also be service dog owners who speak out against fake dogs and start pressuring that something happens to not just protect the general public but them as well. Most people who legitimately need their dog that I've spoken with have been very in favor of at least a national registry of dogs or something that would deter fakers. In NYC even though it isn't required by law the city offers to let you get a special tag on top of your regular license tag that show the dog is a service animal. I also know some strongly encourage a good canine citizenship exam but also not required.

 

[HopperFan]

I don't think it is just businesses. There need to also be service dog owners who speak out against fake dogs and start pressuring that something happens to not just protect the general public but them as well. Most people who legitimately need their dog that I've spoken with have been very in favor of at least a national registry of dogs or something that would deter fakers. In NYC even though it isn't required by law the city offers to let you get a special tag on top of your regular license tag that show the dog is a service animal. I also know some strongly encourage a good canine citizenship exam but also not required.

I agree totally but I don't think individuals will make an impact .... maybe they need to work with national groups to start the dialogue to push for this. School districts are probably being impacted as well. Many more children are using these dogs (as I said we have one that helps my DS but we don't allow him to become dependent) and at what point will other children not be safe because there is a dog who has not been trained. I think the issue is there is no connectivity between these groups - so who will be the leader?

Tough situation. I agree Disney is in a pickle but the parks are getting too crowded for many of the things we are seeing more of ...........

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

They are literally not allowed to refuse someone who says their animal is a service animal, per LAW. What exactly do you want DIsney to do about it?

Not someone that says their animal is a service animal.

Someone that says they are required because of a disability.

And.

Someone that tells what service their animal provides.

At least make the fakers squirm the first time.