Lots of service dogs this trip

[PollyannaMom]

Miniature horses and dogs are part of the American with Disabilities Act. Only two types of service animals that are protected under the ADA.

Does anyone know what the ponies do that dogs can't?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I seriously doubt that anyone is purchasing a high vis vest just to take their prize pet pooch with them to Disney world.

I wouldn't doubt it in the least.

People, in general, are very entitled. I mean, you do know that they PAID THOUSANDS OF $$$ TO BE THERE!

 

[kandb]

The expensive dogs are the seeing eye type of dogs. They have very specific and rigorous training, and are literally born and raised to do it.

Generally if you see a smaller dog that's not what they are doing. They have a natural ability to sense the issues. They weren't born and raised to do this.

I met a couple 2 years ago at home who had three BIG dogs, just pets. Can't recall their breed. The couple's son came home from Iraq with TBI and pre existing type 1 diabetes. He had to move in with his parents bc of the tbi and ptsd

One night two of the dogs came into the couple's room, frantic. The dogs woke them up and herded them into the sons room. He was out of it. They checked his blood sugar. He was dangerously low. The dogs had saved his life. Now they are his service dogs. The third isn't; she doesn't have the ability to sense it. She's still a pet but the other two work with him to keep him alive.



Your words say that you are NOT all for that.

People can have their own opinions and how do you know what everyone is thinking? MANY people use these "service" dogs that are not true service dogs. I work with 2 of them. Got the certificates online and they just like having their pets being with them.

 

[EdmondD]

Tough question here - I have an emotional support great dane (Mr. Peppers) who himself has an emotional support poodle. HOWEVER, the poodle (Johnny Joe Joe) is not registered to work for the great dane because, to be blunt, the great dane is really lazy about paperwork. Thus the poodle can not enter the park to be with the great dane That said, the poodle is registered to be an emotional support dog for my son. Can I take in the poodle to be with my son so long as the poodle and the great dane don't interact? And if they do, do I need to self report or can I expect the Disney secret police to be all over this?

 

[Skippyboo]

Horses live longer than dogs. So that could be a factor in choosing a horse instead of a dog. Service animals cost a lot of money to train so a person may have 3 dogs vs 1 horse.

 

[kandb]

As someone seriously allergic to dogs and cats, this issue is very sensitive for me. I am all for service animals, but I do believe the policy is being abused.
Last time on a plane there was a service dog next to me. I did not question it at all and do believe they can benefit the humans. I asked to be moved to a different section of the plane which was accommodated. Of course, there could have been a service dog in that seat on the previous flight - I never know, so come prepared for medical emergencies. In the parks I am able to avoid them easier which is nice. I think Disney will have to start as other hotels have done - allergy free rooms - for those of us that can not stay in a room that was previously occupied by a service animal as these are becoming more and more common.

My favorite comment I always get when I ask to be moved away from a service dog because of my allergies is "My dog is hypo-allergenic" or "dander-free". They are questioning my allergy, when I never question their disability. Unfortunately I am allergic to the animal's saliva which is airborne and all around the animal. I love dogs, wish I could have one - but at this point in my life I just need to be away from them as much as possible for my health.

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?

 

[kandb]

So it sounds like I can just bring my dogs and tell Disney they are service animals with no proof? I wouldn't do that but it appears there are no requirements?

Yup, can't question anyone with a disability. I am a health inspector and a restaurant always complained that someone brought in their service dog and sat next to them in the restaurant. We looked into it and found out that the restaurant owner had to allow this person to bring their dog into their dining room. I think by law, you cannot ask what their disability is.

 

[SL6827]

Whew, this is a total work around for those who want to abuse it, to keep from having to pay to keep their dog in the kennel. People could bring their dogs to the resorts with them, keep them in their rooms, take them to the pool area, have them when dining during ever meal and Disney can not question them at all or require proof? Wow!

Fido at Victoria and Alberts?

 

[anniemae]

Wasn't there something in the news a while back about an emotional support duck on an airplane?

 

[SL6827]

And I was just thinking about taking my new baby boxer to Walmart this week. She would love to shop!

 

[Klayfish]

I seriously doubt that anyone is purchasing a high vis vest just to take their prize pet pooch with them to Disney world.

You have a lot more faith in people than I do, clearly. I have no doubts that people do exactly that.

 

[greg9x]

Wasn't there something in the news a while back about an emotional support duck on an airplane?

How about a pig ? http://www.insideedition.com/headli...ig-on-plane-for-support-hes-quieter-than-most

Although the pig in this one was well behaved... the woman seems to be working the system.. she claims the pig is need because she battled anorexia (??) yet in the video she acts like she needs it for flying anxiety.

There is another story of another pig that was kicked off the plane because it was being a nuisance.

 

[Jennasis]

Does anyone know what the ponies do that dogs can't?

Live around 30 years.

 

[erin1715]

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.

 

[Shoshana]

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.

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???

 

[Aurora0427]

I can only speak from our personal experience. I attended training with my daughter and Mo, I am the secondary handler, for reasons just like what you mention. When she has been in the seizure unit, or has had surgery, Mo stays at the hospital with her. Mo has also gone with her by ambulance when she had been out and gotten injured. Mo wears a vest, clearly marked SERVICE DOG DO NOT PET. He has a pouch that is marked MEDICAL INFO and contains her medical history, meds, drs and emergency contact numbers. He has been allowed everywhere except into the actual OR. A secondary handler is required for times she cant care for his needs, like to toilet him when she is in surgery, etc. He has only gone by ambulance once and they paramedic called me. When I got to the ER my daughter was in a room with MO, and he was laying on the floor watching her and the medical team.

Wow. Mo sounds like an incredibly special dog. I'm so glad he's there for your daughter. Truly an angel.

 

[wilkeliza]

I always assumed the best until proven other wise. Service dogs are becoming more popular as more trainers are popping up. Unfortunately for every person who is faking their dog their is someone who also got conned by a fake trainer. This is happening a lot with PTSD dogs.

Now I know at least 1 AP holder who does fake that their dog is a service dog and has done it for years. I finally had enough and stopped the friendship. They also faked needing a DAS simply because they don't like to wait in line. I however personally know the person and they know they are stretching rules to their benefit.

The point I stop accepting a service animal is when their handler doesn't follow the law or rules. If your dog is aggressive, uncontrollable, unclean or loud (i.e. Barks through the entire line) then you lose my graces. Same goes for the person we saw at Disney Springs who let their dog crap in one of the planters around a tree and then just left it there and ran legit ran away when someone called them out on it.

 

[danikoski]

Does anyone know what the ponies do that dogs can't?

They are used as stability animals for people with balance issues. Mini horses are sturdier than dogs. They also can be trained to stand stock still and can work well to regain balance. They also do live longer, as others have mentioned.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Does anyone know what the ponies do that dogs can't?

My guess is some sort of toileting issue.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

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.

If you are truly ok with people who have a legitimate need having service animals, why are you putting "service" in quotations as if this man doesn't need his? Did you ask him? How do you know he doesn't need it?

This is clearly bothering you. For the benefit of people who need service animals, I think maybe you should try to give people you see the benefit of the doubt. You are, right now, judging someone who could have a legitimate need. Put yourself in this man's shoes. What if you needed a service dog? What if someone was writing on an internet message board about how you were faking having a service dog when you really needed it? Forget about the dogs and enjoy Illuminations and your trip.