Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[bedogged]

Since someone else mentioned already that there are break areas for dogs, I'll just address the anxiety issue.

My dog is not a service dog of any description. I will never take her anywhere dogs aren't allowed (and Disney is right out!). But I have brought her to crowded events and street festivals where dogs are allowed.

Every dog is different, and one would hope a responsible owner would not put their dog in a situation that would make it anxious. Or where it might behave badly.

In my dog's case, when it gets very loud and crowded, she simply sticks close to my ankles and pants a bit. If I'm standing still, she'll position herself between my feet. If I think there's a danger of her getting stepped on, I will pick her up. But she's about 20lbs, so I prefer not to have to carry her unless it's absolutely necessary. She does not bark, and she does not "make messes", except when directed to do so on grass or snow.

She's generally very friendly with people who speak to her, licking them and rubbing her body on their ankles. She ignores people who ignore her. In the rare event someone is trying to pet her and she's not interested, she'll look away and turn her back on them. She's never, in her entire life, snapped at a person. Not even when provoked. I once saw a toddler pull her ear, hurting her, and my dog gave a high pitched yelp, then turned and licked the child's hand (yes, the parent and I were both watching closely - the child was simply fast and unpredictable).

All of which is to say, IF my dog was an Emotional Support Dog, and IF I brought her to Disney World, I'm sure she would have no difficulty with the crowds and I expect she would behave just as well she always does.

Your dog sounds like a wonderful pet. I have no doubt that your dog's excellent temperament and training would make her a likely candidate for an Emotional Support Dog or even possibly a Service Dog. I would not worry about her behavior at WDW.

 

[tajz90]

The little dog we saw was totally freaked out by the cage that was set up for her at Everest. The two ladies tried to leave her so they could ride, but the pup freaked. One had to stay while the other rode and then they switched. I'm figuring this emotional support dog was used to arms and not cages.

 

[Bean786]

Well, I'd guess some folks were arguing that their big attack dogs were service animals, in that they provided a "crime deterrence" service. Also, some folks without any diagnosed disabilities were probably claiming they required their dogs for emotional support, and insisting they be treated like service dogs. I'm glad to see that "2. The use of service dogs for psychiatric and neurological disabilities is explicitly protected under the ADA." I suspect a lot of what people are referring to as Emotional Support Dogs are actually service dogs, under this definition. Since you have to get a doctor's "prescription" to have an Emotional Support Dog anyway, and as such, you already have a documented disability. So, problem solved. If the dog in the original post is registered and the owner is under a doctor's care, then it's likely a service dog, even if it provides emotional support. And as such, can be allowed in the parks. Not that Disney requires any proof of disability, and nor should they, because that would open a whole other can o'worms.

Big attack dogs? What breed would you be referring too? Service are all breeds. How about just saying people where lying about their dogs being service dogs instead of their big attack dogs...

 

[Bean786]

A few years ago, here in Denver, we had a ban on Pitbulls. A lot of people said that their dogs were service dogs. There was some controversy regarding whether a Pitbull could be a service dog. I find it interesting that number three addresses that issue. To me, the changes seem more liberal than restrictive.

Which they can be.. Just to clarify

 

[Bean786]

Someone with more expertise please correct me if I get this wrong. I thought that because the cost of a service dog could be so prohibitive that there is a provision within the law that allows a disabled person to train their own dog? If this is the case, it could account for the difference in training levels people report seeing?

Yes you can train your own dog but you won't get papers. But as of right now it doesn't matter because you don't need papers to prove your dog is a service animal.

 

[bedogged]

Which they can be.. Just to clarify

Thank you for making that clearer. For the record, I agree with that change.

 

[bedogged]

Yes you can train your own dog but you won't get papers. But as of right now it doesn't matter because you don't need papers to prove your dog is a service animal.

Again, thank you.

 

[bedogged]

Yes you can train your own dog but you won't get papers. But as of right now it doesn't matter because you don't need papers to prove your dog is a service animal.

Okay, now I am confused again. I am not asking this to be confrontational or snarky. So as I understand this, an ESD has to have a prescription from the doctor, but a Service Dog does not need anything?

 

[dan-tot]

Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA and people using emotional support dogs do not have the same legal right to have their dogs accompany them.

The definition of service dog under the ADA includes that the dogs must have been individually trained to do work or tasks that are needed for a person with a disability.
Many emotional support dogs do not do anything specific, but are there to be petted or provide comfort and emotional support. Those are not considered work or tasks and don't require require any training.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

We were in the Tiki Birds and some one had a service dog but I didn't see anyone in the party that looked like they needed one. This must have been an emotional dog. The dog layed down on the side of the bench and did not move until the show ended.


Dan-tot

 

[Gracie09]

Okay, now I am confused again. I am not asking this to be confrontational or snarky. So as I understand this, an ESD has to have a prescription from the doctor, but a Service Dog does not need anything?

Yes but esd is not allowed in places a service dog is allowed. If you have an apartment building and you don't allow pets but a tenant has an esd (or service dog for that matter) you have to permit them to live there and for the esd can ask for a prescription. If you owned a restaurant you could (and under local health code maybe have to) deny entry to an esd but must permit a service dog entry. But you are permitted to asked if it's a service dog and what is the task or tasks it is trained to provide. And they have to be tasks not just sit next to me or give me kisses when I want and if they misbehave they can be asked to leave.

 

[Gracie09]

We were in the Tiki Birds and some one had a service dog but I didn't see anyone in the party that looked like they needed one. This must have been an emotional dog. The dog layed down on the side of the bench and did not move until the show ended. Dan-tot

it could be trained to detect low blood sugar or any number of not obvious tasks

 

[bedogged]

Yes but esd is not allowed in places a service dog is allowed. If you have an apartment building and you don't allow pets but a tenant has an esd (or service dog for that matter) you have to permit them to live there and for the esd can ask for a prescription. If you owned a restaurant you could (and under local health code maybe have to) deny entry to an esd but must permit a service dog entry. But you are permitted to asked if it's a service dog and what is the task or tasks it is trained to provide. And they have to be tasks not just sit next to me or give me kisses when I want and if they misbehave they can be asked to leave.

I understand most of your post, but is a Service Dog required to have a prescription as well for the housing aspect? I know that owners of Service Dogs can be asked what tasks the dog performs.

 

[LilyWDW]

We were in the Tiki Birds and some one had a service dog but I didn't see anyone in the party that looked like they needed one. This must have been an emotional dog. The dog layed down on the side of the bench and did not move until the show ended.


Dan-tot

Not all disabilities that could be helped by a service dog are visible.

This sort of thinking is what makes things harder for people. Not every disability is visible to the naked, untrained eye. So people really need to stop with the "they didn't look disabled".

 

[bedogged]

Not all disabilities that could be helped by a service dog are visible.

This sort of thinking is what makes things harder for people. Not every disability is visible to the naked, untrained eye. So people really need to stop with the "they didn't look disabled".

 

[dayvewc]

Yes you can train your own dog but you won't get papers. But as of right now it doesn't matter because you don't need papers to prove your dog is a service animal.

Okay, now I am confused again. I am not asking this to be confrontational or snarky. So as I understand this, an ESD has to have a prescription from the doctor, but a Service Dog does not need anything?

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think you might be confusing papers and prescription and legal limits on documentation.

My understanding is that if the animal goes through a formal training process, it will have documentation of its abilities and capabilities (the papers, so to speak). If you train the dog yourself, unless you happen to work for a recognized training facility, you would not be able to get papers explaining what your dog was able to do.

Add to this that for for certain conditions in which a doctor believes an ESD would benefit the patient, the doctor can write a "prescription" for the use of an ESD.

Then, there is the point that it is illegal to ask for documentation of disabilities. So, even if you have the formal training papers proving what your dog is capable of, it is not legal for you to be asked for them as that then violates your right to medical privacy.

Again, all my own understanding. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

 

[kamik86]

Yes but esd is not allowed in places a service dog is allowed. If you have an apartment building and you don't allow pets but a tenant has an esd (or service dog for that matter) you have to permit them to live there and for the esd can ask for a prescription. If you owned a restaurant you could (and under local health code maybe have to) deny entry to an esd but must permit a service dog entry. But you are permitted to asked if it's a service dog and what is the task or tasks it is trained to provide. And they have to be tasks not just sit next to me or give me kisses when I want and if they misbehave they can be asked to leave.

Ok this is the point I was trying to make before. Can a business kick out a service animal if the animal is snapping at other customers, knocking over or damaging product, etc. I am just wondering what protections are in place for businesses if there are many people claiming an animal is a support dog.

I also have to say that if the above is true that a support dog is allways allowed, without a prescription or papers, but has to perform specific tasks....
Well then really there isn't a requirement that the dog must perform specific tasks. Becasue all someone would need to do to avoid getting a prescription is to lie and say that the dog does _____. (Fill in anything, detects high blood pressure, low blood sugar, etc) If it doesn't have to be proven then I wonder why anyone would have the issue over an emotional support dog at all when it would be easier to just lie.

 

[brunette8706]

Gee now all of the sudden people need, emotional support dogs? I really think this type of thing is out of hand. I really do. There was an artical in regards to the airlines regarding the Emotional Support Dog and even they say it's getting out of hand. Where does it end? I'm not talking about the Service dog just to clarify, I'm referring to the emotional support dog.

Here is the link to the airline thread. The airlines are now facing a backlash. People are plainly abusing this system.

excerpt from link:

But their presence on airplanes is increasingly facing a backlash from flight attendants, passengers with allergies and owners of service animals, like Seeing Eye dogs, who say that airplane cabins have become crowded with uncaged animals who have no business being there. The Department of Transportation does not require airlines to keep data on emotional support animals. One that does, JetBlue expects more than 20,000 emotional support and service animals this year.

“It’s becoming a big problem,” said Marcie Davis, founder of International Assistance Dog Week. “I’ve seen people bring on pets and try to pass them off as an emotional support or service dog. It’s not appropriate and it’s not safe.”

Ms. Davis, who uses a wheelchair, flies about once a month, along with a service dog, for her job as a health and human services consultant.

“Assistance dogs are trained not to bark in public, not to go smelling other dogs or people,” she said. “I’ve had my dog attacked in multiple situations. Honestly, I understand that there’s some value that people need an emotional assistance dog. But I think a lot of this is that people love their dogs and think they feel like if you have your dog, why can’t I have mine?” Airline workers echo Ms. Davis’s view. “It’s out of control,” said an American Airlines flight attendant, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak publicly
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/b...with-fur-draws-complaints-on-planes.html?_r=0

 

[JosieMouse]

Just how many dogs are in the park? I'm very scared of dogs. Service dogs I can better control myself around, but not others, even emotional support dogs. They are "friendly" and like to touch and worst yet lick. I panic, really panic I'm talking passing out. A hand few of es dogs that I can move away from I'm okay with, but more then that and I will more then most likely start seeeing and hearing dogs that aren't even real. Should I cancel all togeather or just avoid the summer?

 

[bumbershoot]

Ok this is the point I was trying to make before. Can a business kick out a service animal if the animal is snapping at other customers, knocking over or damaging product, etc. I am just wondering what protections are in place for businesses if there are many people claiming an animal is a support dog.

I also have to say that if the above is true that a support dog is allways allowed, without a prescription or papers, but has to perform specific tasks....
Well then really there isn't a requirement that the dog must perform specific tasks. Becasue all someone would need to do to avoid getting a prescription is to lie and say that the dog does _____. (Fill in anything, detects high blood pressure, low blood sugar, etc) If it doesn't have to be proven then I wonder why anyone would have the issue over an emotional support dog at all when it would be easier to just lie.

A service animal is treated as a human. If a human is behaving aggressively in a public place they can be kicked out and it's the same for the animal.

With housing there has to be documentation. I lived in a situation where the management was relying on us for the documentation, but they wanted way too much. We finally left because I was finding that I wasn't leaving the apartment for fear of the "service dog" downstairs. The dog that was for seizures but NEVER went anywhere with the owner of the dog. Ever. Stayed home with the toddler and the owner's boyfriend of the month. And the dog was big, untrained, aggressive, possessive of the entire 10 unit building, and oh by the way a breed otherwise not allowed by the management. The toddler liked to randomly open the door when I was coming downstairs And the dog would be there with her. While I was carrying my baby. The owner of the dog had worked in apartment management. What a coincidence.

We got tired of documenting it. So we left. Took another year or two for them to finally boot the dog owner. (Oh and before we left they got a second "service dog" of the same not allowed breed. That again was never with the owner. )

Anyway, the service animal is treated as a human, so if its being very naughty it can be told to leave.

 

[lanejudy]

Ok this is the point I was trying to make before. Can a business kick out a service animal if the animal is snapping at other customers, knocking over or damaging product, etc. I am just wondering what protections are in place for businesses if there are many people claiming an animal is a support dog.

I also have to say that if the above is true that a support dog is allways allowed, without a prescription or papers, but has to perform specific tasks....
Well then really there isn't a requirement that the dog must perform specific tasks. Becasue all someone would need to do to avoid getting a prescription is to lie and say that the dog does _____. (Fill in anything, detects high blood pressure, low blood sugar, etc) If it doesn't have to be proven then I wonder why anyone would have the issue over an emotional support dog at all when it would be easier to just lie.

If a dog misbehaves, it (and the owner) can be required to leave. Regardless of what one calls the dog -- service animal, emotional support animal, etc. And regardless of any "proof" that may exist. The animal must behave or the business has the right to require that it be removed. The dog is considered an extension of it's owner and the owner can be held liable for any damages/injuries the dog causes.

The ADA does not allow businesses such as WDW, restaurants, stores, etc. to require proof of disability. However, businesses are allowed to ask "is this a service dog" and "what task or tasks has it been trained to do for you." The business must then accept the person's word as truth and allow the dog to accompany the owner. As stated above, an animal that misbehaves can be required to leave.

I believe the "prescription" aspect comes into play for housing if dogs are generally banned from that apartment complex. Proof can be required in that type of situation, similar to proof being required to obtain a handicapped parking tag.