Lots of service dogs this trip

[JerseyJanice]

Fear of birds?

Yes. No Flametree for me.

 

[epcotty]

Do you have F.O.D.? (Fear of dogs?)

No judgement here. I have F.O.B. myself.

No, just wary. Had some bad experiences before so tough to feel safe. Won't go anywhere that explicitly allows non-service dogs

 

[JerseyJanice]

FOB? Fear of beer? Fear of boys? Fear of Buzz Lightyear?

None of the above.

In fact, I love them all.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

None of the above.

In fact, I love them all.

 

[HopperFan]

These are the documentations that already being faked so this wouldn't so anything to certification mills, it would probably give them new business. Plus regulations are slippery slopes, the outrage won't end until it's iron clad proof that it's a service dog. Which means medical records come into play. There's no other way around it unless they create a governmental master dog database with pawprints that Disney can somehow access and verify.

It's possible without privacy issues. But it will take pressure from lots of sources and effort.

Do you have F.O.D.? (Fear of dogs?)

No judgement here. I have F.O.B. myself.

I think there are lots of issues at play.
- Fear of dogs among adults and many children
- Trained dogs stay focused and on task
- Untrained dogs do approach strangers (trained do not)
- Untrained dogs will bark
- Untrained dogs in busy, crowded, loud place may snip/bite if scared
- Allergies, especially in lines or enclosed space
- Dogs not being taken to designated potty stops
- Leashes can be a safety hazard
- Rider Swap is good for folks with no kids, but dogs ... FP+ for everyone!
- Need for more kennels at some rides
- Need for more CMs at kennels at some rides
- There has been a big increase and it will only get bigger

Most of these are no issue with a trained service dog ... but the minute folks figure anyone can bring in Petunia in their purse ... it's on an upswing. Was down in Jan, March, April, May, August ........ was very surprised at the number of dogs ... in vests, in strollers, being carried and in purses.

And dogs aren't the only issue out of control at this point; I guess the question is, when is it too much? impacting guests and operations.

 

[tzolkin]

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?

Yes, that is correct. The real issue is that most people do not understand the difference between the three (just read through this thread and you will see that's the case). And for fear of offending someone or overstepping what they are allowed to ask, businesses just wind up allowing people to bring non-service dogs into places where they are not allowed. I see this all the time.

Why would you assume it's not serving a "real" purpose as a service, therapy, or emotional support animal? What do you assume you know about this gentleman? Could he be a combat veteran? Could he have a mental illness, or diabetes, or epilepsy? Do you have any sort of specialized knowledge or an informed perspective on this topic, or this man, or service animals in general???

But therapy and emotional support animals are not allowed in theme parks, stores, restaurants, etc. So the dog/certification may be completely legit, but that doesn't mean they can go anywhere they want.

Often you don't have to "assume" anything. People will tell you directly "this is an ESA" or it's wearing a "therapy dog" tag. They either don't even understand the difference themselves or they are just banking on everyone else being uninformed and allowing them in anyway.

we noticed the last couple trips, same thing. 2 things..1 there are a lot of "emotional support" dogs/pets everywhere and 2 you can get fake certiications online easily .

Emotional support dogs are not allowed everywhere. They are only allowed on airplanes and to live in housing that does not otherwise permit pets.

Are "Emotional Support" dogs different from "Service" dogs in requiring training and documentation?

Emotional Support animals (ESAs) do not require any training whatsoever. They are essentially just pets. It's the owner who needs documentation from a doctor that they require an ESA (usually for mental health issues).

They are not allowed in food preparation areas but I do know my friend who has the therapy dog can bring it in a grocery store in the shopping cart.

Unless that store allows pets, they really can't. You cannot bring a therapy (I'm thinking you may actually be referring to an emotional support dog) anywhere pets are not normally allowed. If the store doesn't, your friend is scamming.

I'm interested in whether there are restrictions on these animals in restaurants. For example, I wouldn't have a problem if the animal was sitting quietly under the table at its owners feet but I would object if the dog was on a chair eating his meal at the table or barking at other people. I also think stores and restaurants should be able to require an animal to be diapered so there are no accidents in their facilities. Does anyone know if the ADA addresses things like this?

Diapers-- really?? There is no way a trained service dog is going to have an accident in a restaurant or store.

 

[mom2rtk]

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

I bet an undiapered dog leaks a lot more.

 

[Regan117]

My daughter has autism. She has a service dog. We don't always bring him - it depends on the type of trip, but not all disabilities are obvious. And dogs for people with autism are expensive as well. There are some charities you can research that provide dogs for children wth autism, exactly because they're so expensive to train.

 

[IrishNYC]

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 fully support legitimate service/therapy/emotional support dogs to speak out against fake dogs. It's gotten out of control. There was an article 8-10 years ago in the NYTimes about how out of control fake "helper" dogs were in NYC at that time, and it pretty much detailed how you too could have a fake helper dog. Infuriating.

My husband works in a neighborhood particularly rife with these fakes, and has many times been called upon to quell disputes in Whole Foods of Tribeca and lower Manhattan. Out. Of. Control. This has made me very jaded in my opinion of ESAs (and my husband could qualify for a PTSD dog), and other therapeutic dogs. I unfortunately have a friend who has a dog that she's purchased fake papers for. She doesn't like to leave the dog home alone because it's very anxious. Then there was an incident at her workplace, and she jumped at the opportunity to get fake papers for her dog, told her employer she needed the dog for emotional support, and bingo! the dog goes to work with her every day...except she's really the emotional support human for the anxious dog.

And I fail to every comprehend why there can't be a regulation that service dogs have a requirement to wear a vest/ID/or harness
Yes, I realize these can be bought. I've seen this myself
But, there could be stiffer requirements put on this and that would be a deterrent to some of this right there
I'm in the group that has to think those with legit service animals would want to do anything they can to keep these fake or improperly trained animals out of general use. They are a danger to their animals, or a potential danger at the minimum. No?

Agreed, completely. The voice of legitimate service animal organizations has got to be loud enough to do something to stop the fakes out there. It would greatly benefit them and those in need of service dogs.

 

[wilkeliza]

I fully support legitimate service/therapy/emotional support dogs to speak out against fake dogs. It's gotten out of control. There was an article 8-10 years ago in the NYTimes about how out of control fake "helper" dogs were in NYC at that time, and it pretty much detailed how you too could have a fake helper dog. Infuriating.

My husband works in a neighborhood particularly rife with these fakes, and has many times been called upon to quell disputes in Whole Foods of Tribeca and lower Manhattan. Out. Of. Control. This has made me very jaded in my opinion of ESAs (and my husband could qualify for a PTSD dog), and other therapeutic dogs. I unfortunately have a friend who has a dog that she's purchased fake papers for. She doesn't like to leave the dog home alone because it's very anxious. Then there was an incident at her workplace, and she jumped at the opportunity to get fake papers for her dog, told her employer she needed the dog for emotional support, and bingo! the dog goes to work with her every day...except she's really the emotional support human for the anxious dog.


Agreed, completely. The voice of legitimate service animal organizations has got to be loud enough to do something to stop the fakes out there. It would greatly benefit them and those in need of service dogs.

Haha I wonder if we know the same person! I know someone in NYC with a very similar story about an axious dog that tore up their apartment so the owner got a ESA and then claimed PTSD after a work issue to be able to bring the dog everywhere.

 

[IrishNYC]

Haha I wonder if we know the same person! I know someone in NYC with a very similar story about an axious dog that tore up their apartment so the owner got a ESA and then claimed PTSD after a work issue to be able to bring the dog everywhere.

This friend lives/works in Washington DC, but the dog is similarly disastrous. It's pooped in her purse more than once on its way to work with her. Karma. But maybe my husband has had to settle a dispute about her fake dog in NYC! (His answer is always, "Uh, sorry, unless the dog destroyed something, there's nothing I can do. Have a nice day!")

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

My daughter has autism. She has a service dog. We don't always bring him - it depends on the type of trip, but not all disabilities are obvious. And dogs for people with autism are expensive as well. There are some charities you can research that provide dogs for children wth autism, exactly because they're so expensive to train.

Reading here, it doesn't seem that anyone has a problem with a trained service dog. It really doesn't matter what the trained service dog does, as long as it has been trained to perform a task that is necessary due to a disability.

The problem is with therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and the family pet. None of these should be at the parks.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

My husband had to fly next to a woman with her dog on her lap the whole flight and my husband is allergic to dogs as well. I agree, they don't seem to ask people who have an allergy to these peoples pets. Isn't someone who is having an allergic reaction just as important as someone who needs their therapy dog on an airplane?

Totally agree with this.

 

[SimonSez]

I've noticed a few, including one wearing Mickey ears

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I think the dogs should get to go on the rides too! I'm sure they'd love to ride FoP.

 

[danikoski]

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?

Actually they can, if the person can't describe what task or service the animal is trained to do, if the animal is other than a dog or mini horse, or if Disney determines the animal could be a safety or health hazard to the public (like in the case of a biting dog).

The idea they have to allow any animal someone just calls a service animal by law is a misnomer. More likely reason is Disney doesn't want to deal with bad publicity. However, that may change if there is bad publicity from an animal harming a patron.

 

[danikoski]

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 ...........

School districts in our area actually have procedures in place to allow for service animals. Usually it involves a specific need, discussion with doctors and therapists as to what that need is, boundaries of what the animal is needed for, and ensuring the animal is trained in a manner so it is not a safety threat or distraction to other students. There's a lot of back and forth and discussions.

 

[keishashadow]

We've been coming to WDW every year for over 10 years and this trip we've seen a lot of service dogs for people who appear to be just fine.

Now, I know there are invisible illnesses but I've seen at least 10 dogs in a week with people in the parks. The only person that could have used a dog was a blind man and even he didn't have one. Just seems like everything else in society lately - overkill.

Didn't read thru the thread, assume you've been taken to task for how your comments read even if not intended, so I'll let it go

The issue here is, as their pattern, WDW selectively chooses which of their self-imposed rules to enforce.

Akin to most issues of this sort (GAC, FP, etc), it will get out of hand and they will eventually change things, but only when it impacts their operations.

All for bona-fide service animals, but on airplanes I've seen some odd animals on other passenger's laps.

I am highly allergic to dogs with fur, the reason mine has hair. On planes, I have elected to move my seat when one is seated nearby me, even though i was seated first/paid for my seat selection. My understanding is only so many animals permitted per flight. would hate to think of somebody with an official service animal not being able to fly if 'designer' ones are aboard.

@ WDW I don't want to think about being placed in a resort room that housed a dog that didn't receive a very deep cleaning.

 

[danikoski]

These are the documentations that already being faked so this wouldn't so anything to certification mills, it would probably give them new business. Plus regulations are slippery slopes, the outrage won't end until it's iron clad proof that it's a service dog. Which means medical records come into play. There's no other way around it unless they create a governmental master dog database with pawprints that Disney can somehow access and verify.

Actually Canada has a system where the trainers are certified by the government, and I believe, the dogs are registered through the government. The trainers are listed as being certified by the government, and only dogs trained by those trainers are "service" dogs. Probably wouldn't happen in this country, but there are systems in other countries that could possibly work.

 

[piccolopat]

Diapers-- really?? There is no way a trained service dog is going to have an accident in a restaurant or store.

The problem isn't with trained service dogs but with people who can't bear to leave Fido at home. They take advantage of the system that prohibits all but the simplest scrutiny by claiming their pet is a service animal when it is not. Until or unless the ADA is amended so service dogs are given some official certification or licensing, we will continue to see more and more people abuse the situation. My DD worked for a dog trainer and it's easy to spot dogs that were trained and those that were not. Many of today's "service animals" are unfortunately of the "ebay certification" kind.