Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[aaarcher86]

The link takes me to some Japanese page

But the word Shapoopie... priceless.

 

[bedogged]

Dogs can and do learn to "hold it" when appropriate.

Now, if someone could just convince my Yorkies of this!

 

[Schmeck]

I answered it in post #2.

But Sue provided more info (and kind of proved you wrong) in post #4. Then people gave opinions, and I stopped reading. Were you able to provide more info for your answer that disproves what Sue posted?

 

[bedogged]

But Sue provided more info (and kind of proved you wrong) in post #4. Then people gave opinions, and I stopped reading. Were you able to provide more info for your answer that disproves what Sue posted?

If it is accurate that Disney will NOT allow ESDs in the park, then it follows that all the dogs people have seen in the parks are Service Dogs not Emotional Support Dogs? Just asking.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

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".

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.

Yes, the need for Emotional Support Dogs is very real, even if you don't understand to agree with them. Many ESD's are trained in the same way a Service Animal is. In other countries, ESD's ARE considered Service animals. It's not getting out of hand, unless you think people having Service Animals are also getting out of hand?

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.

What do you do when you're walking down the street and someone is walking a dog? Phobias are difficult to deal with. However dogs are everywhere, they are unavoidable. Parks, streets, your neighbours, service animals. I can sympathise, however some people need their Service Animals to be able to function in their daily lives.

 

[aaarcher86]

If it is accurate that Disney will NOT allow ESDs in the park, then it follows that all the dogs people have seen in the parks are Service Dogs not Emotional Support Dogs? Just asking.

That, or more likely, that's what the guest told GS to get the dog in.

 

[Chickenlady]

OK, 14 pages later. These are the only real points being made.
1. Robo says "Yes" ESD are allowed.
2. Sue says "No"
3. The real answer is a combination...Yes, WDW may have allowed ESD in BUT they do not have to. It is not illegal to ban this type of dog. Just because WDW has allowed this in the past, does not mean that when OP's relative arrives at WDW they will be allowed in. WDW has every legal right to deny access to ESD. SO OP, how much of a gambler is your relative?

4. The last thing we've learned is that in Australia EDS are given every right of service dogs. Doesn't matter in WDW.....also doesn't really tell us anything because we can't compare Aust. training of ESD to US training of ESD, which appears to be very different.

Lastly, we go once a year to WDW and have seen many dogs in the parks. Some look and behave as true service dogs, and others....well, looks like their owners lied to get them in....we can lump them with all the parents who claim their kid is under three when they are not.

 

[plumsiren]

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

I don't think anyone in this post has suggested such a thing. But there is (or there should be, maybe, is the point) a difference between a well-trained service animal, and so-called emotional support animals, licensing, training, and papers for which don't seem to be up to a universal standard. In my experience, dog-phobic people are almost always less fearful of service dogs because they know from experience a properly trained service dog is not going to approach them or try to interact with them, regardless of the breed or what function the dog performs. Personally, I feel safer knowing Disney - and every other business - is only going to allow in animals which have passed a universal standard of training. The fact that a few people have shared anecdotes about getting 'licenses' or whatever online so they can claim their pets are comfort animals is very alarming.

The fact is, in the United States, the standard is to not allow animals into private businesses or enclosed public spaces like libraries and what have you, unless they are needed to perform a specific function. The burden of proof for such a need lies with the human requesting to bring the animal in. I don't know what their standard is, but I would encourage Disney to follow the ADA guidelines someone else quoted and only allow in animals which are certified by a legitimate licensing body for performing a specific function. What the function is is both irrelevant and none of our business. I'm well aware of invisible disabilities, suffering from one myself, but for my peace of mind I would like to know that Disney has taken some kind of action to confirm that your animal is a service animal.

That's my last word on the matter.

 

[JanaDee]

If it is accurate that Disney will NOT allow ESDs in the park, then it follows that all the dogs people have seen in the parks are Service Dogs not Emotional Support Dogs? Just asking.

No, it follows that people lie to get Fifi in the parks.

 

[Vidia2]

I know a few children/adults I'd probably kick if they assaulted me as well.

 

[snorkelyn]

WOW. I can't believe noone has commented on the advertising banners!

Take Your Dog Everywhere.
usdogregistry.org/Service-Dog
Emotional Support & Service Dogs. Your Dog May Qualify, Easy Process.

This companys FAQ section basically says that anyone can buy the certificate and vest and other accessories. They say you need a doctors note....but they won't need to see it to sell to you.

Come on folks...the need for ESD is real...but the number of people who will take advantage of others and claim their dog is a ESD must seriously outweigh the people who really have an ESD. People love their dogs.

 

[Magpie]

I don't think anyone in this post has suggested such a thing. But there is (or there should be, maybe, is the point) a difference between a well-trained service animal, and so-called emotional support animals, licensing, training, and papers for which don't seem to be up to a universal standard. In my experience, dog-phobic people are almost always less fearful of service dogs because they know from experience a properly trained service dog is not going to approach them or try to interact with them, regardless of the breed or what function the dog performs. Personally, I feel safer knowing Disney - and every other business - is only going to allow in animals which have passed a universal standard of training. The fact that a few people have shared anecdotes about getting 'licenses' or whatever online so they can claim their pets are comfort animals is very alarming.

The fact is, in the United States, the standard is to not allow animals into private businesses or enclosed public spaces like libraries and what have you, unless they are needed to perform a specific function. The burden of proof for such a need lies with the human requesting to bring the animal in. I don't know what their standard is, but I would encourage Disney to follow the ADA guidelines someone else quoted and only allow in animals which are certified by a legitimate licensing body for performing a specific function. What the function is is both irrelevant and none of our business. I'm well aware of invisible disabilities, suffering from one myself, but for my peace of mind I would like to know that Disney has taken some kind of action to confirm that your animal is a service animal.

That's my last word on the matter.

It's also a fact that you cannot tell by looking at any dog in Walt Disney World, no matter how large or small or even if it's wearing a princess dress, if it's a "legitimate" service dog or not.

In fact, you can't even judge by its behaviour if it's a legitimate service dog, as I have personally known a very poorly trained and controlled, but completely legally certified, seeing eye dog.

What it ultimately all comes down to is that there are very, very few dogs visiting Disney World on any given day, and if a scant few of these dogs aren't strictly legitimate, there's really nothing any of us can do about it.

Heck, Disney themselves can't even ask for proof of disability or registration papers! All they can do is ask what service the dog has been trained to provide.

 

[Magpie]

WOW. I can't believe noone has commented on the advertising banners!

Take Your Dog Everywhere.
usdogregistry.org/Service-Dog
Emotional Support & Service Dogs. Your Dog May Qualify, Easy Process.

This companys FAQ section basically says that anyone can buy the certificate and vest and other accessories. They say you need a doctors note....but they won't need to see it to sell to you.

Come on folks...the need for ESD is real...but the number of people who will take advantage of others and claim their dog is a ESD must seriously outweigh the people who really have an ESD. People love their dogs.

Mine's just an ad for "professional products". I must be doing something wrong...

 

[Vidia2]

Mine's just an ad for "professional products". I must be doing something wrong...

I thought those were based on cookies, so different for each person.

 

[snorkelyn]

Mine's just an ad for "professional products". I must be doing something wrong...

I could hardly believe it. I refreshed the page a few times to see if it would come up again, and it did.

Funny. Or.... maybe Ironic? LOL!

 

[JanaDee]

WOW. I can't believe noone has commented on the advertising banners!

Take Your Dog Everywhere.
usdogregistry.org/Service-Dog
Emotional Support & Service Dogs. Your Dog May Qualify, Easy Process.

This companys FAQ section basically says that anyone can buy the certificate and vest and other accessories. They say you need a doctors note....but they won't need to see it to sell to you.

Come on folks...the need for ESD is real...but the number of people who will take advantage of others and claim their dog is a ESD must seriously outweigh the people who really have an ESD. People love their dogs.

I have ad blocker so I never see banners.

 

[plumsiren]

I have ad blocker so I never see banners.

Same.

 

[SueM in MN]

WOW. I can't believe noone has commented on the advertising banners!

Take Your Dog Everywhere.
usdogregistry.org/Service-Dog
Emotional Support & Service Dogs. Your Dog May Qualify, Easy Process.

This companys FAQ section basically says that anyone can buy the certificate and vest and other accessories. They say you need a doctors note....but they won't need to see it to sell to you.

Come on folks...the need for ESD is real...but the number of people who will take advantage of others and claim their dog is a ESD must seriously outweigh the people who really have an ESD. People love their dogs.

I noticed those - interesting how it picks links from what is being discussed!

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.

The "rest spots" for Service Dogs used to be backstage, but have been moved to "onstage" recently.
The locations are listed in the guided a for Guests with Disabilities for each park.
They are marked with dings like this in this picture I took near First Aid in AK.

This was one of the first things we taught DD's Service Dog.

Seriously, even most dogs can hold it longer than their owners think. We say DD's dog has an iron bladder because he can wait forever to go. The only accident he has ever had was after he had an allergic reaction to one of his shots and was pretty out of it between the reaction and Benadryl.

Yes, the need for Emotional Support Dogs is very real, even if you don't understand to agree with them. Many ESD's are trained in the same way a Service Animal is. In other countries, ESD's ARE considered Service animals. It's not getting out of hand, unless you think people having Service Animals are also getting out of hand?
What do you do when you're walking down the street and someone is walking a dog? Phobias are difficult to deal with. However dogs are everywhere, they are unavoidable. Parks, streets, your neighbours, service animals. I can sympathise, however some people need their Service Animals to be able to function in their daily lives.

From what you have written, it sounds like the dogs that are called Emotional Support Dogs in your country may actually be what are called "Mental Health" or "Psychiatric" Service Dogs in the US.
The difference in the US between Service Dogs and Emotional Support a Dogs are that Service Dogs are trained to do tasks or services for a person that are related to the person's disability.
An Emotional Support Dog may have obedience training, but has not been trained to do specific tasks related to a disability.
Maybe clearer examples:
1) Person with some type of mental health/anxiety or similar condition becomes anxious. He realizes he is anxious and calls his Emotional Support Dog over so he can pet it to calm himself.

2) Person with some type of mental health/anxiety or similar condition becomes anxious. His Service Dog recognizes that the person is becoming anxious because the dog has been trained to recognize signs of anxiety. The dog alerts the person and then the dog performs whatever action he has been taught to perform to help the person to deal with his anxiety.

In the US, dog number 2 would be a Service Dog.

 

[snorkelyn]

Last month while waiting for our kids and grandkids in Fantasyland we sat next to a woman who had a yorkie in a dog carrier. She volunteered that he helped her blood pressure.

My husband also has high blood pressure and stress. He finds his fish really therapeutic. He plans to bring his fish with him on our next trip. I am expecting that Disney will watch the fish while we go on the roller coasters. He plans to put the tank in the basket of his electric scooter. We may need to go to the front of the line with the scooter too.

 

[famy27]

My husband also has high blood pressure and stress. He finds his fish really therapeutic. He plans to bring his fish with him on our next trip. I am expecting that Disney will watch the fish while we go on the roller coasters. He plans to put the tank in the basket of his electric scooter. We may need to go to the front of the line with the scooter too.

I worked retail when I was in college. One time, a lady came in with a pet fish in a little plastic aquarium with a pink lid and handle. We took care of her, and out she strolled, like carrying a fish with you was the most normal thing in the world. As far as we knew, the mall where we worked had no policy banning fish, and it certainly didn't make a mess, bark, or bite anyone, so we figured, "More power to her"

I wonder if WDW has a policy on fish (as friends, not food) in parks?