Lots of service dogs this trip

[Grmnshplvr]

the only thing that could make WDW better is more dogs. I dont see the problem

 

[Spencer Wright]

While I am not a medical professional and shouldn't judge, I live right outside and pretty much live my life in a major city (Philadelphia) and rarely see service animals which are not obviously a service animal (i.e. wearing a vest). This includes being around major international tourist attractions and several forms of public transit.

But then on an airplane or a place like Disney all of a sudden there are dozens of animals coming out of the woodwork. Seems like a bit too much of a coincidence.

I'll be on my way down in 12 days so we'll see!

 

[Grmnshplvr]

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

all the dogs I've seen at WDW have boots on.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We stayed in a room at Boardwalk that had a dog in it before us. (dog hair on the decorative throw pillows) My daughter is allergic so we had to request a change of room. So went from a lovely view to a parking lot view. I do wish they would set aside rooms at all hotels for people who travel with pets/animals. We can not stay in those rooms.

I agree with this especially in hotels as large as Disney's. Many people have allergies to pet dander, and their health is no more or less important than the health of somebody traveling with a service animal.

 

[IBLarsen]

Interesting post, because two weeks ago during our trip, my DD12 and I noticed more dogs than we ever have also! It was simply an observation, one that upset my animal loving daughter very much because one dog looked absolutely miserable panting very hard at AK laying in the sun while the owner was talking. My DD was very concerned about him and made a comment about the owner not even caring how hot the dog was. I very graciously tried to explain to DD the different reasons people have service dogs (as the owner had no visible disability) and tried to convince her that I'm sure the dog is very well taken care of for her sake, but on the inside I was cringing looking at that dog in the heat panting excessively and thinking how it's paws have got to burn on the pavement. Made me sad for the animals sake, not arguing the 'need' for the dog, but still sad to see the dog in those conditions. Another dog we saw at MK was marked as a service dog and had booties on, which my daughter thought adorable, and the dog seemed very content, not panting... this didn't bug me nearly as much, it's just seeing a dog appear to be suffering needlessly that is sad to me. As much as people may 'want' to do fun things, if you need a service dog with you, this doesn't bother me, but I feel it's only humane to take into consideration the needs of the animal as well.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Yes, under federal law, only dogs and miniature ponies are defined as service animals. I've heard claims of people with service monkeys, but those aren't legitimate.

Nope, only dogs and ponies qualify as service animals under federal law.

thats because cats don't care about any one other than themselves

 

[flortlebap]

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

Well, as much as I'd love to try, I have a crazy cocker spaniel who won't stay still for more than 2 seconds, so there's no way he'd be convincing anyone he's a service dog

 

[Jennasis]

all the dogs I've seen at WDW have boots on.

Lucky them. I've been going to Disney since 1977 and have yet to see a single boot on a single dog. And I have seen countless dogs in the parks on my travels.

 

[wdwlver]

So interesting because we just left 10 days at BCV and saw so many dogs in hotel. Never saw that before and we go yearly. Even saw a little papillon relieving itself on patio of first floor room while walking to Epcot.

 

[piccolopat]

The ADA needs to be rewritten so that a service animal has an official, government issued license. There are so many people claiming to have a service animal just so they can take their pet anywhere and there is no good way for businesses to deal with them. It's a shame that the abuse causes people to question those who have real, but invisible need for a service animal. If you can get a doctor's note to get a parking hangtag from your town, there should be an easy way to document legitimate service animals and to easily distinguish between a true service animal and an emotional support animal that isn't granted the same access.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that while service animals are permitted in the parks and resorts, they must always be where their owner is. In other words, you can't leave Fido in your hotel room to go grab a bite to eat or swim in the pool. The animal is required to behave and not bother other people or they can be removed from the premises. Also, the animal may not be able to go on all rides and in those cases Disney has a cage or other area to keep the animal while you ride. I'm just waiting for someone to insist on a rider swap pass when they have a service animal that they don't want caged while they ride.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Lucky them. I've been going to Disney since 1977 and have yet to see a single boot on a single dog. And I have seen countless dogs in the parks on my travels.

there are balms you can put on their pads as well so they don't have to wear the heavy boots on that heat, the balm works just as well as it creates a barrier between the pad and the pavement, you just wouldn't see it.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The ADA needs to be rewritten so that a service animal has an official, government issued license. There are so many people claiming to have a service animal just so they can take their pet anywhere and there is no good way for businesses to deal with them. It's a shame that the abuse causes people to question those who have real, but invisible need for a service animal. If you can get a doctor's note to get a parking hangtag from your town, there should be an easy way to document legitimate service animals and to easily distinguish between a true service animal and an emotional support animal that isn't granted the same access.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that while service animals are permitted in the parks and resorts, they must always be where their owner is. In other words, you can't leave Fido in your hotel room to go grab a bite to eat or swim in the pool. The animal is required to behave and not bother other people or they can be removed from the premises. Also, the animal may not be able to go on all rides and in those cases Disney has a cage or other area to keep the animal while you ride. I'm just waiting for someone to insist on a rider swap pass when they have a service animal that they don't want caged while they ride.

Not at Disney, but I have seen a service dog left with one of two people. Then left with the other.

Gee, I hope whatever service the dog is performing, he can do it from far away.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

i don't know what a virtual z-snap is? But it doesn't sound very good? Methinks you threw the first snark, with the whistling fella post up there, and your over-sized webster's dictionary "you all" definitions but I'm a gentleman and willing to apologize if you feel I offended you or if I came across like a jerk. So sorry!

But, that all being said, my original post was referring to the OP and the posters who agreed with their train of thought which to me is disgusting. If we still wanna talk about "y'all" we can, but my intention was NOT to start a language hijack, it was to attempt to calmly type words in a response, without using swears, when referring to these posts.

A PP was confused because I used "y'all" to refer to the few who agreed with the OP so I jokingly explained it. And we both had a good laugh over it. That's about it.

Eh I wasn't being snarky with the semantics comment. It makes no sense when someone says something to the effect of "now we're agruing/talking about semantics" when they are actually the one you started the whole semantics talk..that's what I was pointing out. Perhaps ironic might make more sense.

As to the virtual z-snap...that might be easier to just google z-snap and then imagine I mean it in the virtual sense as we are conversing over the internet. Your response to me was full of snark including when you added in your original quote when I said nothing about it other than to reference that you used "y'all" in it.

As to PP was confused part...I guess you might be able to say you were joking...but it didn't come off that way at all in the beginning as you were responding to multiple posters including myself and then throwing out the semantics comment when you started the whole semantics tangent trying to explain where you're located at and why you used the word you did...yeah that's what I was responding to.

~Agree to disagree and move on at this point~

 

[Allison]

I noticed it in February also.

 

[JerseyJanice]

So I have to have ask--are people bringing their service dogs on the Mountains? That is, Splash, Big Thunder and Space?

I am certain that neither my current dog nor the big boy we had before her would be OK with doing that. I guess professional service training takes care of it?

 

[piccolopat]

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.

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?

 

[kandb]

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?

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.

 

[piccolopat]

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.

I think a grocery store should be allowed to require service animals walk alongside their owners and not ride in the cart. It is not sanitary to allow a dog or other animal to sit where the next customer is putting their food purchases.

 

[HopperFan]

I think a grocery store should be allowed to require service animals walk alongside their owners and not ride in the cart. It is not sanitary to allow a dog or other animal to sit where the next customer is putting their food purchases.

To play devil's advocate, I don't take our dog in stores .... how many kids sit in the seat or the big part of the cart in diapers, that could leak or newly trained ....

I have seen dogs in the cart and they have always been sitting on a pad that loops, not touching the actual cart, so they don't slip through or get stuck.

 

[wilkeliza]

"Service dogs" are the biggest scam. We all need "support" in bad, stressful times. I heard a person is going through a trying period, Dr. recommends they get a pet... So said dog is now "theraphy".. Sure in some cases there are legit, medical reasons, even mental medical reasons.. but come one.. We all can say having a pet, does one good.. Studies show having a pet reduces stress anxiety et... So now can we all use this benefit to get a pet to fly for free, bring a pet on vacation to avoid boardinig costs or get a rental where no dogs are allowed? How many times have I heard of people ( they admit it, ) " My dog calms and supports me!!! My dog must go and sit on my lap at a restaurant ( as emotional support) As fluffy is too precious to be left at home alone. ." Ok, lets buy that cert online.


Sorry. But it's non Disney related but I have good friends in the restaurant and realtor industries. This is becoming a real issue, the abuse. Want a rental that won't allow pets,? Go buy a cert online. I work for an airline.. all of a sudden we have more pets on board.. Have you ever sat next to a person with a dog on their lap for a long flight?

A shame as many do need them. Neighbor is diabetic and has a "trained" dog. I dont normally "judge" but in this case I myself have seen tooo many abuses where I reserve the right to judge.. Also There are serious medical mental issues and then those who need to get a grip on life.. I am speaking of "emotional" dogs here.... I am "Emotional" dependent on my husband to support me.... Can he get a free ride as he is escorting me.??

A co-worker told me the reason she got her dog deemed a "therapy" dog was really because the airlines fault. She said it is more expensive to bring your small dog on the flight than paying for a full round trip plane tickets. She thinks that's why there are so many therapy dogs because I believe they fly free.

The dogs you are talking about in both cases are not true service dogs. Emotional Support dogs are only protected for housing and air travel. Service dogs are much more trained and are protected everywhere. The only places they really can't be are food prep areas, hospital surgery rooms, and places it may be dangerous for the working dog so some zoo exhibits and some theme park attractions etc. A therapy dog is also not protect the same way at all. A therapy dog is only certified for certain things like visiting school, nursing homes, etc and only count when an organization invites them in not automatically like a service dog. I really think the abuse comes from lack of education on what a SERVICE dog is versus a therapy or emotional support animal.