Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[glamdring269]

I've never heard of such a thing. Glad I learned something today though I do have to ask where it all ends. Emotional support x... fill in x?

 

[AmyB2006]

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've never ever seen a dog in the parks ever. I've been going since 1978. Not to say there aren't, but I don't think it's something you need to go into a panic attack over. Chances are you won't see one.

 

[JLC44]

There is no law saying ESAs have to be allowed as there is with a Service Dog. DisneyWorld has a page regarding Service Dogs https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/service-animals/
No where is ESA mentioned. Yes an ESA may get in but that is most likely due to a mistake not policy.

For those with dog fears and allergies I would recommend avoiding the 17-20 and probably leading up to and after that as there has been a facebook event planned for over a year. Don't know what kind of turn out they will get but just a heads up. https://www.facebook.com/events/374352805991597/

Now from someone that has had both an ESA and a Service Dog. My son is on the Autism Spectrum, he has meltdowns that can be an hour and a half long during which time he is non-verbal and needs to be restrained so he doesn't hurt himself, others, or cause damage. We got a cat as an ESA (were renting at the time) to see if it would help with behavior disruption as a test run for if a Service Dog would work for him. We were eventually able to have it work out where he had a meltdown at home and could get the cat to bring it to him. As soon as the cat touched his face his meltdown ended. We used the cat for 2 years as an ESA so we at least had it to use at home (we never flew during that time) while we waited to get his Service Dog. Now we have the dog that works better than we had ever hoped.

Now the big difference between the two, we took the cat to him during a meltdown, the dog is trained to recognize his triggers and go intervene with the appropriate response without any direction from us. That is a task that elevates him from ESA to Service Dog, not the only one but easiest to show in those terms.

So no not all ESAs are because people don't want to leave pets at home. To be totally honest having a service dog is a lot of hassle and a pita to HAVE to take everywhere, our son goes no where without him. It is kinda like if a friend gets hurt, friends will play around with the wheelchair, or crutches while they are sitting around, but it's not fun when you are the one that needs them.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

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.

In Australia, they are just called Therapy Dogs. However they are classified, under Australian laws, as Service Dogs. They are protected under all the same laws, they can basically go anywhere. Both your examples would be considered Therapy Dogs, although many of the dogs that become Therapy Dogs here in Australia, originally started out as Guide Dogs that couldn't make the grade.

I only get frustrated when people are quick to say that "ESD's" don't exist and it's simply people not wanting to be away from their puppy. Yes, some people might lie about it. But there have been countless posts, saying everyone who has these ESD's are only doing it not to pay kennel fees or because they can't stand to be away from their "baby".

 

[bookwormde]

The issue is the USA guidance was written poorly and at a basic level contradicts itself.

Dog which are specifically trained to support a qualifying disability related to neurological or psychological areas and when providing that support are service dogs. Often this does relate to emotional regulation so in the common language they are "emotional support dogs"

Dogs who do not meet the above standards are not service dogs and therefore do not qualify.

Remember it is not about the dog, it is about the individual with a disability and if the dog has been specifically trained and is supporting the individual's disability though application of that training.

Service dogs do not have rights, individual with qualifying disabilities do, and one of them is the right to not be impeded in using a trained and supporting service dog, no mater what the qualifying ADA disability is.

 

[brunette8706]

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?.

****

Tell that to the airlines. Yes it is out of control. I posted a link referencing how it is now becoming out of hand because everyone now thinks they can bring their pet on an airplane.

 

[Schmeck]

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.

People lie.

 

[brunette8706]

People lie.

 

[Schmeck]

My latest experience at the doctor's office showed me the way people think they can/have to bring their pets everywhere:

Woman walks out of the exam room with her dog in tow. Dog was behind her, she was dragging it out of the room. then it bumped into the wall, a few chairs, then sprawled on the waiting room floor. She loudly announces that the dog is blind, but he can smell his way around. It wasn't leading her, it had to be dragged around, it didn't stay close to her (unless she pulled it by the long leash towards her) yet she thought the dog had to come to the office with her?

Luckily, no one tripped over the darn dog sprawled out across the floor, and then the woman took the dog to go get a drink (for the dog) out of the water fountain. If I hadn't been so sick I would have asked the service dog questions, because the poor old thing was a safety hazard.

The last time I saw a 'service' dog in a public place, the dog grabbed a bag of M&Ms out of the display case at CVS. His blind owner had no clue what the dog was doing, so I told him, and handed the dropped bag of chocolate to the cashier. Owners like that give service dogs a bad rep.

 

[goofy4tink]

Very simply....people lie to get what they want. You can go online, pay a few hundred dollars and get paperwork, and a vest, to 'prove' your dog is a service/emotional support dog. And that's the problem right there. Or, you get people that think of their dogs as their 'babies' and take them everywhere..doesn't matter that the dog isn't well behaved or disciplined!
I love dogs..have a 3 month old golden retriever sitting in his crate waiting for breakfast! And I certainly know that there are a ton of hard working service dogs...giving wonderful support to their 'human'. And there are true emotional support dogs out there..dogs (as well as other animals) that have had special training to be of help to their 'human'. They have had obedience training and can go most places.

The people that are making it so hard for others are those that lie about their dogs...simply because they can't leave them behind while they go places. And those places could be WDW or the neighborhood grocery store! We have signage up all over our town that states dogs are not allowed on town property..this would obviously include the schools. But when there is any kind of event at a school, outside? You should see the number of dogs. Go to a football game and there they are..and they aren't well behaved! Not sure why they're there.....the dog certainly isn't happy.

I doubt anyone here has any issue with a dog that is doing a job...be it for a physical or emotional issue. We would just be happier if that animal was actually trained for that job and had received proper behaviour training. Actually? All dogs should have training..just for good manners.
Off to work with my pup!!! He needs lots of training!!

 

[brunette8706]

Very simply....people lie to get what they want. You can go online, pay a few hundred dollars and get paperwork, and a vest, to 'prove' your dog is a service/emotional support dog. And that's the problem right there. Or, you get people that think of their dogs as their 'babies' and take them everywhere..doesn't matter that the dog isn't well behaved or disciplined!
I love dogs..have a 3 month old golden retriever sitting in his crate waiting for breakfast! And I certainly know that there are a ton of hard working service dogs...giving wonderful support to their 'human'. And there are true emotional support dogs out there..dogs (as well as other animals) that have had special training to be of help to their 'human'. They have had obedience training and can go most places.

The people that are making it so hard for others are those that lie about their dogs...simply because they can't leave them behind while they go places. And those places could be WDW or the neighborhood grocery store! We have signage up all over our town that states dogs are not allowed on town property..this would obviously include the schools. But when there is any kind of event at a school, outside? You should see the number of dogs. Go to a football game and there they are..and they aren't well behaved! Not sure why they're there.....the dog certainly isn't happy.

I doubt anyone here has any issue with a dog that is doing a job...be it for a physical or emotional issue. We would just be happier if that animal was actually trained for that job and had received proper behaviour training. Actually? All dogs should have training..just for good manners.
Off to work with my pup!!! He needs lots of training!!

****

Great post! I totally agree!

 

[brunette8706]

My latest experience at the doctor's office showed me the way people think they can/have to bring their pets everywhere:

Woman walks out of the exam room with her dog in tow. Dog was behind her, she was dragging it out of the room. then it bumped into the wall, a few chairs, then sprawled on the waiting room floor. She loudly announces that the dog is blind, but he can smell his way around. It wasn't leading her, it had to be dragged around, it didn't stay close to her (unless she pulled it by the long leash towards her) yet she thought the dog had to come to the office with her?

Luckily, no one tripped over the darn dog sprawled out across the floor, and then the woman took the dog to go get a drink (for the dog) out of the water fountain. If I hadn't been so sick I would have asked the service dog questions, because the poor old thing was a safety hazard.

The last time I saw a 'service' dog in a public place, the dog grabbed a bag of M&Ms out of the display case at CVS. His blind owner had no clue what the dog was doing, so I told him, and handed the dropped bag of chocolate to the cashier. Owners like that give service dogs a bad rep.

****

That poor dog!

 

[Magpie]

My latest experience at the doctor's office showed me the way people think they can/have to bring their pets everywhere:

Woman walks out of the exam room with her dog in tow. Dog was behind her, she was dragging it out of the room. then it bumped into the wall, a few chairs, then sprawled on the waiting room floor. She loudly announces that the dog is blind, but he can smell his way around. It wasn't leading her, it had to be dragged around, it didn't stay close to her (unless she pulled it by the long leash towards her) yet she thought the dog had to come to the office with her?

Luckily, no one tripped over the darn dog sprawled out across the floor, and then the woman took the dog to go get a drink (for the dog) out of the water fountain. If I hadn't been so sick I would have asked the service dog questions, because the poor old thing was a safety hazard.

The last time I saw a 'service' dog in a public place, the dog grabbed a bag of M&Ms out of the display case at CVS. His blind owner had no clue what the dog was doing, so I told him, and handed the dropped bag of chocolate to the cashier. Owners like that give service dogs a bad rep.

How exactly was that poor old thing a "safety hazard"? Was it blocking a fire exit? What if it had been a suitcase on the floor? Or a child? Would you have considered those a safety hazard, too?

Doctor's offices don't serve food, so they are not legally required to ban dogs (in my area, anyway). It's their choice whether or not to allow dogs in. I had to pick up some paperwork for my children's school last spring, and the doctor's office is a good walk from my place. So, when I was on the phone with the receptionist, I asked, "Can I bring my dog to the office?"

She said, "Of course! I love dogs!"

So, my dog got a nice walk, and when we arrived, I brought her in with me and we sat in one of the chairs for a few minutes until the receptionist could get our paperwork together. I collected it, she said hi to the dog, and we were on our way.

Would I bring my dog to a physical? No. Because I'd be unable to control her from an examination table, in the event she needed controlling.

But she does accompany me wherever she's allowed to go, and I do check beforehand. She goes into banks, and bookstores, and clothing shops. She's waited with me at the hairdresser's when my friend was having her hair done. She used to go into the pharmacy, but some lady with a big unruly dog ruined it for everyone. The staff were very sad when the rules changed.

I do not leave her tied up outside, because she's too friendly. She would walk off with anyone who so much as said hi to her.

 

[Gracie09]

How exactly was that poor old thing a "safety hazard"? Was it blocking a fire exit? What if it had been a suitcase on the floor? Or a child? Would you have considered those a safety hazard, too? Doctor's offices don't serve food, so they are not legally required to ban dogs (in my area, anyway). It's their choice whether or not to allow dogs in. I had to pick up some paperwork for my children's school last spring, and the doctor's office is a good walk from my place. So, when I was on the phone with the receptionist, I asked, "Can I bring my dog to the office?" She said, "Of course! I love dogs!" So, my dog got a nice walk, and when we arrived, I brought her in with me and we sat in one of the chairs for a few minutes until the receptionist could get our paperwork together. I collected it, she said hi to the dog, and we were on our way. Would I bring my dog to a physical? No. Because I'd be unable to control her from an examination table, in the event she needed controlling. But she does accompany me wherever she's allowed to go, and I do check beforehand. She goes into banks, and bookstores, and clothing shops. She's waited with me at the hairdresser's when my friend was having her hair done. She used to go into the pharmacy, but some lady with a big unruly dog ruined it for everyone. The staff were very sad when the rules changed. I do not leave her tied up outside, because she's too friendly. She would walk off with anyone who so much as said hi to her.

You seriously don't see why it's inappropriate to bring a dog to those places? People could be allergic, have a fear of dogs. It's a place of business. I wouldn't buy clothing that had dog hair on it. I have a very friendly beagle who we talk for long walks around town. Would it be convenient to so shopping while there, yes but we don't because she's a pet not a human. If two of is are there walking her, one may go into the store but the other stays outside. There are places pets don't belong and stores and banks and doctors offices and just some of them.

As for a dog being a safety hazard, this dog was blind and apparently only moved when pulled by it's owner. Our doctors offices have relatively small crowded waiting rooms. At the pediatrician there are often strollers going in and out. At my doctor elderly people. The dog is a tripping hazard and if there was an emergency that required quick evacuation could get in the way of the people leaving. A suitcase can be picked up and tossed aside and dog can't ( well unless it's small). Anyway a doctors office is a place where medical procedures happen. I wouldn't want to see a dog walking out of the exam room I was going into next. I don't expect sterile but I do expect that the animals that lick their bottoms to not be in there.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Very simply....people lie to get what they want. You can go online, pay a few hundred dollars and get paperwork, and a vest, to 'prove' your dog is a service/emotional support dog. And that's the problem right there. Or, you get people that think of their dogs as their 'babies' and take them everywhere..doesn't matter that the dog isn't well behaved or disciplined!
I love dogs..have a 3 month old golden retriever sitting in his crate waiting for breakfast! And I certainly know that there are a ton of hard working service dogs...giving wonderful support to their 'human'. And there are true emotional support dogs out there..dogs (as well as other animals) that have had special training to be of help to their 'human'. They have had obedience training and can go most places.

The people that are making it so hard for others are those that lie about their dogs...simply because they can't leave them behind while they go places. And those places could be WDW or the neighborhood grocery store! We have signage up all over our town that states dogs are not allowed on town property..this would obviously include the schools. But when there is any kind of event at a school, outside? You should see the number of dogs. Go to a football game and there they are..and they aren't well behaved! Not sure why they're there.....the dog certainly isn't happy.

I doubt anyone here has any issue with a dog that is doing a job...be it for a physical or emotional issue. We would just be happier if that animal was actually trained for that job and had received proper behaviour training. Actually? All dogs should have training..just for good manners.
Off to work with my pup!!! He needs lots of training!!

This is a excellent point and really is the bottom line!


AKK

 

[Magpie]

You seriously don't see why it's inappropriate to bring a dog to those places? People could be allergic, have a fear of dogs. It's a place of business. I wouldn't buy clothing that had dog hair on it. I have a very friendly beagle who we talk for long walks around town. Would it be convenient to so shopping while there, yes but we don't because she's a pet not a human. If two of is are there walking her, one may go into the store but the other stays outside. There are places pets don't belong and stores and banks and doctors offices and just some of them.

As for a dog being a safety hazard, this dog was blind and apparently only moved when pulled by it's owner. Our doctors offices have relatively small crowded waiting rooms. At the pediatrician there are often strollers going in and out. At my doctor elderly people. The dog is a tripping hazard and if there was an emergency that required quick evacuation could get in the way of the people leaving. A suitcase can be picked up and tossed aside and dog can't ( well unless it's small). Anyway a doctors office is a place where medical procedures happen. I wouldn't want to see a dog walking out of the exam room I was going into next. I don't expect sterile but I do expect that the animals that lick their bottoms to not be in there.

That may be your opinion, but I only bring my dog where she's allowed. And I always ask beforehand.

Come to think of it... if it wasn't "appropriate" for dogs to be in shops, the staff wouldn't keep biscuits behind the counter for them. And most do, which my dog loves. She's not rolling in the clothes! (And, in fact, is a non-shedding breed, not that that's really relevant to this discussion...)

I agree with you, and in fact already stated, that dogs do not belong in exam rooms (unless they are service dogs - who also lick their butts, by the way!). As for waiting rooms... well, that entirely depends on whether the dog has been given permission to be there or not.

My own dog either sits in my lap or lies under my chair.

Edited to add: Oh, and I forgot to mention all the various shop dogs in my neighbourhood! The yarn store has a large dog who's there every day. And one of the clothing shops has a smaller one who likes to sleep in the window. The pawn shop had a very mellow pit bull, but they closed a couple years ago, when the neighbourhood gentrified. And this is all in a ten block radius.

 

[Gracie09]

That may be your opinion, but I only bring my dog where she's allowed. And I always ask beforehand. Come to think of it... if it wasn't "appropriate" for dogs to be in shops, the staff wouldn't keep biscuits behind the counter for them. And most do, which my dog loves. She's not rolling in the clothes! (And, in fact, is a non-shedding breed, not that that's really relevant to this discussion...) I agree with you, and in fact already stated, that dogs do not belong in exam rooms (unless they are service dogs - who also lick their butts, by the way!). As for waiting rooms... well, that entirely depends on whether the dog has been given permission to be there or not. My own dog either sits in my lap or lies under my chair.

Dog brush against clothing and that is enough to get hair on them. Service dogs are a different situation. If I walked into a doctors office and saw a dog that was obviously not a service animal I would complain to the doctor. The same at a pharmacy. My bank keep dog biscuits by the drive through for dogs in the cars. There are places meant for humans and places meant for dogs.

 

[Vidia2]

A private business can allow any kind of dog they wish. If someone doesn't "approve" then they have the choice to not patronize that business.

It's not rocket science. ;-)

 

[mom2rtk]

Woman walks out of the exam room with her dog in tow. Dog was behind her, she was dragging it out of the room. then it bumped into the wall, a few chairs, then sprawled on the waiting room floor. She loudly announces that the dog is blind, but he can smell his way around. It wasn't leading her, it had to be dragged around, it didn't stay close to her (unless she pulled it by the long leash towards her) yet she thought the dog had to come to the office with her?

Maybe she was the dog's "seeing eye person"?

 

[Gracie09]

A private business can allow any kind of dog they wish. If someone doesn't "approve" then they have the choice to not patronize that business. It's not rocket science. ;-)

I understand that but just like there are places it's not appropriate to bring my children, there are places it's not appropriate to bring my dog, regardless of if it's permitted.
Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should: