Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[DizneyLizzy]

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?

I have been to WDW dozens of times over the past 30 years, and 6 times just in the past two years. I've been in the summer, over spring break, in December, January, and September. I have NEVER seen a dog of any kind in any WDW park. Definitely not something to cancel or move a trip over.

 

[Bean786]

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

So what must they look like? Your ignorance is showing

 

[bedogged]

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

I understand your frustration and I certainly don't condone anyone lying about an ESD. IMHO I do think that the airlines bear some responsibility for this problem for a couple of reasons. First, it is very expensive to travel with a pet in the cabin even though they do not use a seat. Secondly, the airlines have an awful safety reputation in regard to animals traveling in the hold. Even with all the strict federal laws, animals still die or are lost by the airlines. I think many people are afraid to ship their dogs in the hold. I think that these fears may have contributed to the number of animals that fly as ESD.

 

[plumsiren]

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?

This makes me so sad. Just the fact that you have to ask this is a reminder that there is another side to this issue that most don't think about. It's very clear to anyone afraid of dogs that there is a difference between a trained service animal and someone's lap pet.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. We're just talking up a lot of 'what-if's.

 

[Laketravis]

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?

And there you have the absolutely polar opposite yet equally valid point of view.

 

[bedogged]

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?

I don't think you need to worry. If you do not approach the dog, I don't think you will have a problem. I would think that summer would be the best time to go as it very hot to be taking a dog to the park.

 

[Vidia2]

Did the OP ever come back? I wonder if she got her question answered.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

I would recommend not getting close enough to be touched or licked by a random dog in the parks. Sounds obvious, but it seems the best solution. The dogs in the park will be contained so none will be chasing you. So just keep your distance.

 

[Robo]

Did the OP ever come back? I wonder if she got her question answered.

I answered it in post #2.

 

[plumsiren]

I would recommend not getting close enough to be touched or licked by a random dog in the parks. Sounds obvious, but it seems the best solution. The dogs in the park will be contained so none will be chasing you. So just keep your distance.

I'm sorry, but this is just another form of ignorance to a serious problem. She's not going over and flicking them on the nose! No one with a phobia willingly puts themselves in a situation where they're exposed to their fear. Keep your distance?! What do you do when you're standing in close quarters waiting to get into a show and you look over and the person next to you is carrying their chihuahua? It's not about a pitbull chasing you down the street; the mere presence of a dog (or threat of same) is enough to set most off.

I'm very lucky that I got over that particular fear, but I still remember how it felt.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I answered it in post #2.

14 pages for an answer that was given in post # 2

......and I can't believe there is such a thing as an "emotional support dog."

 

[ftballfan7]

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?

You should get an emotional support dog to help you with this problem.

 

[Vidia2]

I answered it in post #2.

Your answer was just too straightforward! How can it be real if there isn't some commentary or explanation?

Opinions and feels...they must be heard!

 

[bedogged]

I'm sorry, but this is just another form of ignorance to a serious problem. She's not going over and flicking them on the nose! No one with a phobia willingly puts themselves in a situation where they're exposed to their fear. Keep your distance?! What do you do when you're standing in close quarters waiting to get into a show and you look over and the person next to you is carrying their chihuahua? It's not about a pitbull chasing you down the street; the mere presence of a dog (or threat of same) is enough to set most off.

I'm very lucky that I got over that particular fear, but I still remember how it felt.

I sincerely feel sorry for anyone that has a problem such as this, but you do need to be really, really close to be in licking range.

 

[plumsiren]

I sincerely feel sorry for anyone that has a problem such as this, but you do need to be really, really close to be in licking range.

In an everyday situation it's hard to imagine (never happened to me that I can remember) but I think it would be easier in the parks, with people standing in lines. Just a guess though.

 

[asta]

I have a question about service dogs in general. Sorry to be crude but who cleans up after these animals when they go to the bathroom? Some owners are able but I imagine some people might not be able. I am thinking a seeing impaired person or someone confined to a wheelchair. If these animals are out in public or at WDW for any length of time I would think they would have to go. They are animals after all and can't take care of this themselves.

 

[Magpie]

I'm sorry, but this is just another form of ignorance to a serious problem. She's not going over and flicking them on the nose! No one with a phobia willingly puts themselves in a situation where they're exposed to their fear. Keep your distance?! What do you do when you're standing in close quarters waiting to get into a show and you look over and the person next to you is carrying their chihuahua? It's not about a pitbull chasing you down the street; the mere presence of a dog (or threat of same) is enough to set most off.

I'm very lucky that I got over that particular fear, but I still remember how it felt.

Considering how rare dogs in the park are, I do think, "Just keep your distance" is perfectly valid advice. The only dog I've ever personally seen in the parks was a Disney K9 Security dog.

The phobic person has no more right to be standing in that line than the person with the seizure-sensing chihuahua (or whatever it is). As long as the dog is behaving itself, then all the phobic person can do is try not to go near it.

Asking a person with a genuine medical need to go without their dog would be unreasonable.

Similarly, people with dog allergies can't ask people with service dogs to leave the restaurant. All they can do is ask to be seated as far away as possible, or choose to eat at a later time.


****

Anyway, with regards to the person who said they "didn't look disabled"...

Here's a link about a service dog who helps a person with a non-visible disability and an explanation of what she does for the person.

http://www.thatcutedog.com/job.html

You don't look disabled.

Lots of disabled people don't look disabled. Examples of hidden disabilities are: deafness/hearing impairments, seizure disorders, diabetic disorders, chronic pain disorders, neurological disorders, and more.

What does Raelin do for you?

Raelin has many tasks she does that help me. Some examples are momentum pulling (helping me walk), balance and counter-balance, retrieving objects (either by name or as indicated with a green laser pointer or a pointing finger or a tapping toe or other such indicator), waking me up in the morning and physically pulling me out of bed, and more.

http://www.thatcutedog.com/job.html

And a picture of Raelin in Disney!

I don't know this man's story (the picture was posted on TripAdvisor), but look! He's actually got a chihuahua!

And this is Timmy. http://www.youngsfunnyfarm.org/timmy-s-page

He was both a therapy dog (no legal rights) and a service dog (legal rights). He helped control his owner's narcolepsy, and made it possible for her to become independent. He also volunteered along with his owner at Ground Zero post 9-11. And they visited Disney World together!

This adorable little boy is autistic, and has an equally adorable service dog:

http://dizfanatic.com/disney_travel_with_service_dog.aspx

And finally, a group of disabled military veterans and their service dogs:

http://www.patriotservicedogs.org/about/

 

[ftballfan7]

I have a question about service dogs in general. Sorry to be crude but who cleans up after these animals when they go to the bathroom? Some owners are able but I imagine some people might not be able. I am thinking a seeing impaired person or someone confined to a wheelchair. If these animals are out in public or at WDW for any length of time I would think they would have to go. They are animals after all and can't take care of this themselves.

I know it is wrong, but this post gave me a mental picture of someone with a seeing-eye-dog on their knees with a baggie feeling around for a little doggie present.

 

[bedogged]

I have a question about service dogs in general. Sorry to be crude but who cleans up after these animals when they go to the bathroom? Some owners are able but I imagine some people might not be able. I am thinking a seeing impaired person or someone confined to a wheelchair. If these animals are out in public or at WDW for any length of time I would think they would have to go. They are animals after all and can't take care of this themselves.

I saw this on Yahoo Answers:

"The service dog owner is responsible for cleaning up after their own dog. The ADA does not exempt people from following local leash and scooping laws for their service animals. However, some localities do have exemptions in place releasing them from that responsibility. In my own city, I am exempt from both the leash law and the scooping law because I am disabled and my dog is a service dog. I still leash and scoop. With many it is a matter of pride to be responsible the same as anyone else and there really are ways to manage it despite disability. At the least, the dog can be trained to curb (toilet only in the gutter) and anyone capable of handling a service dog is capable of that.

Since a service dog should be trained to toilet on command, it should be possible for a person to use a device such as a shapoopie ( http://www.theshapoopie.com/ ).

In short: responsible pet owners clean up after their pets. Responsible service dog owners do too.
Source:
I'm a service dog owner."

 

[Magpie]

I have a question about service dogs in general. Sorry to be crude but who cleans up after these animals when they go to the bathroom? Some owners are able but I imagine some people might not be able. I am thinking a seeing impaired person or someone confined to a wheelchair. If these animals are out in public or at WDW for any length of time I would think they would have to go. They are animals after all and can't take care of this themselves.

There are "rest spots" for dogs back stage.

Seriously, you can't be suggesting that blind people shouldn't take their dogs out in public because they might have an accident!

My own dog isn't trained at all, and even she only goes when and where I tell her. Dogs can and do learn to "hold it" when appropriate.