Lots of service dogs this trip

[wilkeliza]

Oh, I agree the ESA thing has gotten out of control. I feel for the people who really need those animals, and have trained animals, like those with PTSD or severe anxiety. The animals can really help in the right situation. And the bad, untrained animals give all service "type" animals a bad rap.
I wonder if anything can be done about those doctors notes. Absolutely ridiculous to just right a note so a person can have the dog/pet with them. There should be some guidelines there too.
I know my friend jumped through a lot of hoops to have her daughter be able to have the dog with her, including multiple consultations with multiple doctors who had to see a positive effect before they'd sign off on anything. It was quite the process. But I respect all of them for taking the situation seriously. It'd be nice if other health professionals would.

ESA and Service are different and that is the big thing. What you are describing for a trained dog for PTSD and severe anxiety can possibly be either. A PTSD or severe anxiety dog trained to perform a task to help mitigate the disability is a serve dog. So say your friend's daughter's dog is trained to remind her to take medication or trained to apply pressure to her chest if it sense and anxiety attack or trained to remove her from a situation that has trigger (real triggers not what you read about online) then it is a service dog. If it is just the mere presence that makes thing better than it is an ESA. For an ESA a school could make you have to get an IEP that say the dog is 100% a medical necessity and required for them to receive their free education before they allow it which is probably why your friend had to jump through hoops.

 

[Corbie]

I don't think most of the posts are judging about whether service dogs are necessary. Most are talking about judging people for bringing dogs that are clearly NOT service dogs.

I wouldn't think twice about seeing 50 people with invisible disabilities/issues who had service dogs. If the dog is well trained, it is absolutely none of my business why they need it. But, I will fully admit to getting very irritated when I see one person with a completely untrained dog that is being a nuissance who is trying to scam the system and bring their pet with them.

I have a certified therapy dog that I take to visit hospitals and nursing homes. I have never even considered bringing him anywhere that does not allow pets if he's not "working".




Yes, the last time we were leaving MK, there was a family with a Yorkie on a retractable leash. The dog was running all over the place (tangling on people's legs and objects), barking incessantly, and urinated twice on the gates. There is absolutely no way that was a service dog.

Yeah, I missed that part when I made my reply. A real service dog goes through extensive training and should be the best behaved dog you ever encounter and its handlers should pick up after it when needed. Anyone using fake service dogs is ruining it for everyone who does own one.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Some military vets have companion dogs who assist with PTSD issues. Doubt that PTSD would present as an obvious need for a companion, so I'm going to go ahead and disagree with anyone who thinks that service dogs are some sort of scam.

And on edit, why does anyone care if someone has a service animal at Disney? You aren't waiting 5 minutes longer in line for Splash Mountain because the dog is riding. This sounds like much ado about nothing to me, and folks worrying about what others are doing when there's no need.

And on double edit, this relates to service dogs, and companion dogs, and any other dog at Disney. Unless it is your dog, you don't know why it is there or the need, so just go grab a hotdog from Casey's Corner and enjoy your vacation.

 

[wilkeliza]

Some military vets have companion dogs who assist with PTSD issues. Doubt that PTSD would present as an obvious need for a companion, so I'm going to go ahead and disagree with anyone who thinks that service dogs are some sort of scam.

And on edit, why does anyone care if someone has a service animal at Disney? You aren't waiting 5 minutes longer in line for Splash Mountain because the dog is riding. This sounds like much ado about nothing to me, and folks worrying about what others are doing when there's no need.

And on double edit, this relates to service dogs, and companion dogs, and any other dog at Disney. Unless it is your dog, you don't know why it is there or the need, so just go grab a hotdog from Casey's Corner and enjoy your vacation.

I think a large group of us are talking about the ill behaved ones that can affect another's vacation. Would you feel the same if your kid stepped in dog poop because someone didn't clean ip after their dog or if you child can growled or nipped at? I'm 100% cool with properly trained service dogs but ill trained ones are bad for all involved especially those who have legit service dogs that could get hurt by a reactive dog.

 

[TwoMisfits]

And on edit, why does anyone care if someone has a service animal at Disney? You aren't waiting 5 minutes longer in line for Splash Mountain because the dog is riding. This sounds like much ado about nothing to me, and folks worrying about what others are doing when there's no need.
.

Usually this breaks down into "who wins?" The person severely allergic to dogs, the person severely afraid of dogs, or the person who needs a dog to function at the location...normally, I would think the life-threatening condition, the allergy, should win vs the 2 conditions which are life-altering but not potentially life-ending (like the peanut allergy "wins" in schools over those who have sensory issues on food and only want peanut butter, as an example)...but as a society, we have chosen to choose the person who needs the dog to function at locations...

Who knows if continued likely abuse of the privilege causes a different group to gain privilege at the expense of another...b/c in the scenario, all 3 parties can never "win"...someone always loses with dogs in the parks...

 

[LSUmiss]

There are some service animals that are used for potentially life-threatening disabilities like epilepsy & diabetes. Are life threatening allergies to dogs that common? I would think that people with that severe of an allergy to dogs would also have to be careful being around people who have dogs even if the dog isn't present.

 

[Westcoastwild]

There are some service animals that are used for potentially life-threatening disabilities like epilepsy & diabetes. Are life threatening allergies to dogs that common? I would think that people with that severe of an allergy to dogs would also have to be careful being around people who have dogs even if the dog isn't present.

That's what I was wondering. I know a lot of people with severe animal allergies, but none are life threatening, and the worst that could happen if they were in proximity to the animal for a few hours, their eyes would swell up, congestion, hives. I mean, unpleasant, but I don't see it being a problem anywhere except in a house where the animal lives or a hotel room. Don't think they'd feel any effects if they were on the other side of a plane or just passing the animal at a theme park.

 

[JerseyJanice]

That's what I was wondering. I know a lot of people with severe animal allergies, but none are life threatening, and the worst that could happen if they were in proximity to the animal for a few hours, their eyes would swell up, congestion, hives. I mean, unpleasant, but I don't see it being a problem anywhere except in a house where the animal lives or a hotel room. Don't think they'd feel any effects if they were on the other side of a plane or just passing the animal at a theme park.

People do die from asthma attacks, and allergies are often what triggers them.

 

[johnsgrl]

Some military vets have companion dogs who assist with PTSD issues. Doubt that PTSD would present as an obvious need for a companion, so I'm going to go ahead and disagree with anyone who thinks that service dogs are some sort of scam.

And on edit, why does anyone care if someone has a service animal at Disney? You aren't waiting 5 minutes longer in line for Splash Mountain because the dog is riding. This sounds like much ado about nothing to me, and folks worrying about what others are doing when there's no need.

And on double edit, this relates to service dogs, and companion dogs, and any other dog at Disney. Unless it is your dog, you don't know why it is there or the need, so just go grab a hotdog from Casey's Corner and enjoy your vacation.

I totally get your point and felt much the same, until I witnessed a proud vet (nearly every article of clothing he wore pronounced his Veteran status), with a beautiful large GSD wearing a PTSD vest at MK. I love, and have owned GSD's but to be realistic, many people are terrified of them.
This dog was totally out of control at the park, lunging at people, barking like mad and scaring the heck out of many small children. This was no service dog, and his handler spent his time trying to keep the dog in forward motion instead of running side to side after different groups. I can't imagine the handler enjoyed his time in the park since it took him 15 minutes to move about 100 yards in the direction he wanted to go, and I am certain that the families that had to pull their frightened children in a different direction were not enjoying the scene.
No matter which side of the fence you fall on, any dog brought into such a crowded family place, regardless of the reason for the animal being there should be trained and well behaved. PTSD dogs, and ESA's fall outside of the ADA rules allowing service dogs in public areas strictly speaking, and I won't judge whether they should be allowed or excluded, but they certainly should have some rules for the behavior of the animal if they are allowed to be brought to such places.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I personally know someone that has a dog. He travels a LOT and does not board his dog. He got his dog certified as a "service" dog so he can take him wherever he goes. The only service this dog provides is company for his owner. It's a shame they made is so easy for people to claim their dog is a service dog.

 

[Westcoastwild]

People do die from asthma attacks, and allergies are often what triggers them.

A lot of things can trigger asthma, though, that's an additional condition, separate from the allergies. If they are asthmatic, they will definitely be managing it. That's the kind of asthma that runs in my family. Pollen is awful. But I can't see ever attempting to convince people that pollen producing plants should not be in a public space that I might use or walk through.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I personally know someone that has a dog. He travels a LOT and does not board his dog. He got his dog certified as a "service" dog so he can take him wherever he goes. The only service this dog provides is company for his owner. It's a shame they made is so easy for people to claim their dog is a service dog.

Do you mean emotional support animal? Because if he's certified as a service dog, it must actually perform a service, and if it's an emotional support animal, it's not actually guaranteed to be allowed in everywhere.

Unless you mean he just bought it a vest and claims it's a service animal but then it's not certified. So I'm curious...

 

[danikoski]

I personally know someone that has a dog. He travels a LOT and does not board his dog. He got his dog certified as a "service" dog so he can take him wherever he goes. The only service this dog provides is company for his owner. It's a shame they made is so easy for people to claim their dog is a service dog.

My guess is that the dog is not a service dog, but an emotional support animal (ESA). A service dog has to be trained to perform a task or tasks that assist a person with a disability. ESAs do not need to be trained and certificates for such animals are sold on websites.

 

[danikoski]

I totally get your point and felt much the same, until I witnessed a proud vet (nearly every article of clothing he wore pronounced his Veteran status), with a beautiful large GSD wearing a PTSD vest at MK. I love, and have owned GSD's but to be realistic, many people are terrified of them.
This dog was totally out of control at the park, lunging at people, barking like mad and scaring the heck out of many small children. This was no service dog, and his handler spent his time trying to keep the dog in forward motion instead of running side to side after different groups. I can't imagine the handler enjoyed his time in the park since it took him 15 minutes to move about 100 yards in the direction he wanted to go, and I am certain that the families that had to pull their frightened children in a different direction were not enjoying the scene.
No matter which side of the fence you fall on, any dog brought into such a crowded family place, regardless of the reason for the animal being there should be trained and well behaved. PTSD dogs, and ESA's fall outside of the ADA rules allowing service dogs in public areas strictly speaking, and I won't judge whether they should be allowed or excluded, but they certainly should have some rules for the behavior of the animal if they are allowed to be brought to such places.

This here is my problem with untrained animals in the parks. This is why it matters. Especially when I know people who train service dogs and train ESA dogs. Those folks train those dogs to deal with crowds and commotion. The GSD obviously wasn't trained for anything, even leash walking in a crowd, and that is incredibly dangerous, especially with that breed of dog, to owner, dog, and crowd, and incredibly irresponsible of either the owner or the agency that got him the dog.

 

[wilkeliza]

I totally get your point and felt much the same, until I witnessed a proud vet (nearly every article of clothing he wore pronounced his Veteran status), with a beautiful large GSD wearing a PTSD vest at MK. I love, and have owned GSD's but to be realistic, many people are terrified of them.
This dog was totally out of control at the park, lunging at people, barking like mad and scaring the heck out of many small children. This was no service dog, and his handler spent his time trying to keep the dog in forward motion instead of running side to side after different groups. I can't imagine the handler enjoyed his time in the park since it took him 15 minutes to move about 100 yards in the direction he wanted to go, and I am certain that the families that had to pull their frightened children in a different direction were not enjoying the scene.
No matter which side of the fence you fall on, any dog brought into such a crowded family place, regardless of the reason for the animal being there should be trained and well behaved. PTSD dogs, and ESA's fall outside of the ADA rules allowing service dogs in public areas strictly speaking, and I won't judge whether they should be allowed or excluded, but they certainly should have some rules for the behavior of the animal if they are allowed to be brought to such places.

Not at PTSD dogs fall outside the ADA rules for service dogs. IF someone has a PTSD dog (or psychological disability service dog) they can be a legally allowed service dog as long as they are trained for a task. As I've pointed out probably 5 times on this thread a PTSD service dog can be trained to lead a person away from a trigger, trained to settle someone having an episode, trained to alert to anxiety levels (they smell the hormone or sense the heart rate going up), trained to remind an owner to take their medicine at a specific time, trained to guide an individual to the ground and provide pressure, trained to guide the person away from a dangerous situation if they are in a flashback trance. The list goes on with what PTSD dogs can be trained to do they just need that training and that is key for all service dogs be it Seeing Eye, seizure, diabetes, PTSD, balance issues, autism, etc.

 

[epcotty]

I totally get your point and felt much the same, until I witnessed a proud vet (nearly every article of clothing he wore pronounced his Veteran status), with a beautiful large GSD wearing a PTSD vest at MK. I love, and have owned GSD's but to be realistic, many people are terrified of them.
This dog was totally out of control at the park, lunging at people, barking like mad and scaring the heck out of many small children. This was no service dog, and his handler spent his time trying to keep the dog in forward motion instead of running side to side after different groups. I can't imagine the handler enjoyed his time in the park since it took him 15 minutes to move about 100 yards in the direction he wanted to go, and I am certain that the families that had to pull their frightened children in a different direction were not enjoying the scene.
No matter which side of the fence you fall on, any dog brought into such a crowded family place, regardless of the reason for the animal being there should be trained and well behaved. PTSD dogs, and ESA's fall outside of the ADA rules allowing service dogs in public areas strictly speaking, and I won't judge whether they should be allowed or excluded, but they certainly should have some rules for the behavior of the animal if they are allowed to be brought to such places.

Right. It's a terrible thing to traumatize a lot of people with your animal that soothes you. I understand being sympathetic, but not at other people's expense. Bad when people blatantly disregard the rules (including in this case, where it is not an actual service dog) and put people in harm's way because of it. Do these people really want to risk misdemeanor charges for misrepresenting it as a service dog, ejection from the park, and possible multiple lawsuits from victims? Also again, I urge people to immediately tell a CM if a dog is obviously not acting like a service dog (then it obviously isn't)

 

[epcotty]

Not at PTSD dogs fall outside the ADA rules for service dogs. IF someone has a PTSD dog (or psychological disability service dog) they can be a legally allowed service dog as long as they are trained for a task. As I've pointed out probably 5 times on this thread a PTSD service dog can be trained to lead a person away from a trigger, trained to settle someone having an episode, trained to alert to anxiety levels (they smell the hormone or sense the heart rate going up), trained to remind an owner to take their medicine at a specific time, trained to guide an individual to the ground and provide pressure, trained to guide the person away from a dangerous situation if they are in a flashback trance. The list goes on with what PTSD dogs can be trained to do they just need that training and that is key for all service dogs be it Seeing Eye, seizure, diabetes, PTSD, balance issues, autism, etc.

However, if they're not trained to not be dangerous to others around it doesn't matter and they still can be ejected from the park and sued by any victims

 

[mickeyluv'r]

A lot of things can trigger asthma, though, that's an additional condition, separate from the allergies.

Um, not really.

Allergies and Asthma are really the same thing. I just read about this recently. Also, there's still a great deal doctor's don't know about allergies, partly they are difficult to study.

Reactions can occur in the stomach, the lungs, one's skin (hives), etc. Very often they overlap. People with severe food allergies often have trouble breathing while vomiting. What's scary is that reactions often change from exposure to exposure. It often depends on the level of exposure.

Allergies typically involve a protein; just about any protein.

However, each person has a different threshold. Person A might develop a reaction at the slightest hint of a substance, but person B only reacts when a larger amount of that substance is present. (Pollen allergies are a great example, because many folks only react when pollen counts are very HIGH.)

Another scary aspect of allergies is that the severity of increases dramatically when multiple allergens are present together. Say, smoke by itself triggers a mild reaction, but smoke + pollen together= anaphylactic shock.

 

[wilkeliza]

However, if they're not trained to not be dangerous to others around it doesn't matter and they still can be ejected from the park and sued by any victims

Yes that is true. I was just addressing what read like someone saying all PTSD dogs are not protected under ADA when that isn't true. Again if a dog is trained to perform a task to mitigate a disability and is trained to be in the general public then it is a service dog it doesn't matter what disability the dog helps mitigate that is what I was saying. Of course no service dog should be a protection dog or aggressive. That is not what a service dog is for.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Um, not really.

Allergies and Asthma are really the same thing. I just read about this recently. Also, there's still a great deal doctor's don't know about allergies, partly they are difficult to study.

Reactions can occur in the stomach, the lungs, one's skin (hives), etc. Very often they overlap. People with severe food allergies often have trouble breathing while vomiting. What's scary is that reactions often change from exposure to exposure. It often depends on the level of exposure.

Allergies typically involve a protein; just about any protein.

However, each person has a different threshold. Person A might develop a reaction at the slightest hint of a substance, but person B only reacts when a larger amount of that substance is present. (Pollen allergies are a great example, because many folks only react when pollen counts are very HIGH.)

Another scary aspect of allergies is that the severity of increases dramatically when multiple allergens are present together. Say, smoke by itself triggers a mild reaction, but smoke + pollen together= anaphylactic shock.

They aren't actually the same thing. Asthma can be triggered by allergies, but it can also be triggered by other things that have nothing to do with allergies (exercise, illness, etc.).

I had severe allergies and asthma as a child (like, having to do nebulizer treatments every 4 hours around the clock). I still have bad seasonal allergies, but my asthma only flares up when I get a respiratory infection (like a cold).