Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[bocaj1431]

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

This answer is not entirely correct. This is the second time you have given incorrect information pertaining to a disability issue. As a moderator, I feel it is important the information you give is correct because your response could directly affect someones vacation experience!

The Department of Justice has issued revised ADA Title II (state and local government programs) and Title III (private businesses, a.k.a. places of public accommodation) regulations which took effect March 15, 2011. These regulations revise the definition of service animal and add additional provisions. (§35.104, §35.136, §36.104, §36.302)


Definition
A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered to be service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks and as such do not meet the definition of a service animal.

Thus it depends on what the disability is. There are service dogs which are trained to assist with emotional issues but also assist with other tasks necessary to support the individuals "disability".

For example there are dogs specifically trained for individuals with Autism. While one benefit may be that they are emotionally comforting and work to reduce the child's high level of anxiety, that is not the sole task they perform. And unlike your statement about the training of dogs who provide emotional support, these type of dogs undergo extensive training for approx 12-16 months and cost on average $25,00 to train.

It would be best before providing a definitive answer to have asked the OP what "disability" or special need the individual has and is the service dog used for emotional support to control anxiety or by preventing or interrupting impulsive or aggressive behavior or merely for comfort. The first form of "emotional support," would meet the required needs the second would not.

To the OP, I suggest contacting www.adata.org for the regional office in Fl and ask them directly. That way you can get a definitive answer based on the disability of the individual you are traveling with and the tasks that the service dog provides.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[bedogged]

This answer is not entirely correct. This is the second time you have given incorrect information pertaining to a disability issue. As a moderator, I feel it is important the information you give is correct because your response could directly affect someones vacation experience!

The Department of Justice has issued revised ADA Title II (state and local government programs) and Title III (private businesses, a.k.a. places of public accommodation) regulations which took effect March 15, 2011. These regulations revise the definition of service animal and add additional provisions. (§35.104, §35.136, §36.104, §36.302)


Definition
A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered to be service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks and as such do not meet the definition of a service animal.

Thus it depends on what the disability is. There are service dogs which are trained to assist with emotional issues but also assist with other tasks necessary to support the individuals "disability".

For example there are dogs specifically trained for individuals with Autism. While one benefit may be that they are emotionally comforting and work to reduce the child's high level of anxiety, that is not the sole task they perform. And unlike your statement about the training of dogs who provide emotional support, these type of dogs undergo extensive training for approx 12-16 months and cost on average $25,00 to train.

It would be best before providing a definitive answer to have asked the OP what "disability" or special need the individual has and is the service dog used for emotional support to control anxiety or by preventing or interrupting impulsive or aggressive behavior or merely for comfort. The first form of "emotional support," would meet the required needs the second would not.

To the OP, I suggest contacting www.adata.org for the regional office in Fl and ask them directly. That way you can get a definitive answer based on the disability of the individual you are traveling with and the tasks that the service dog provides.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

This is very interesting, but it can be confusing. So, am I correct in thinking that the Yorkie who helped the woman with her blood pressure (post above) would be a service dog rather than a ESD?

 

[plumsiren]

I am very sympathetic to this problem, but even if Disney were to ban ESDs, it would still have to allow service dogs. A person with this problem would still have the anxiety of wondering if a dog might be hiding somewhere. I don't think that would eliminate the problem.

Actually, even when I was at my most terrified, I was never afraid of service dogs, because they were clearly visible and I knew they would not be approaching me. It's more the fear of the dog that could pop out of nowhere that got me.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you have never seen a dog and I have only seen two in all my trips and none my last trip in September, how big a problem can this really be?

I don't think they are a huge problem

And even if they were, they aren't MY problem unless they try to bite me or my family. I have a German Shepard and a Blue Heeler. It's not like a have a dog phobia.

 

[bedogged]

Actually, even when I was at my most terrified, I was never afraid of service dogs, because they were clearly visible and I knew they would not be approaching me. It's more the fear of the dog that could pop out of nowhere that got me.

I think your assumptions regarding service dogs are inaccurate. Service dogs are not all German Shepherds in harness. They come in all sizes. Some are like that little Yorkie carried in a purse and not all are that visible.

 

[aaarcher86]

Originally Posted by aaarcher86
Nice. I'm not above football punting dogs that try to bite me/my kids!




Baxter!!!!!!!!!

That'll be me! Right into Echo Lake!!!!

 

[bedogged]

I don't think they are a huge problem

And even if they were, they aren't MY problem unless they try to bite me or my family. I have a German Shepard and a Blue Heeler. It's not like a have a dog phobia.

Glad to hear it. I love German Shepherds. How is the temperament of your Blue Heeler?

 

[Sparkly]

OMG! You're a terrible person

as a pig shoulder cooks in my crockpot...

Hey, great idea. Pig carries in crockpot, and then you have something to cook lunch in. There are plenty of electronic sockets in the park too...

 

[Laketravis]

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.

I bet he did - last time I checked on how much it would cost to board a dog for a week, my blood pressure went WAY up!

 

[Gracie09]

This answer is not entirely correct. This is the second time you have given incorrect information pertaining to a disability issue. As a moderator, I feel it is important the information you give is correct because your response could directly affect someones vacation experience! The Department of Justice has issued revised ADA Title II (state and local government programs) and Title III (private businesses, a.k.a. places of public accommodation) regulations which took effect March 15, 2011. These regulations revise the definition of service animal and add additional provisions. (§35.104, §35.136, §36.104, §36.302) Definition A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered to be service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks and as such do not meet the definition of a service animal. Thus it depends on what the disability is. There are service dogs which are trained to assist with emotional issues but also assist with other tasks necessary to support the individuals "disability". For example there are dogs specifically trained for individuals with Autism. While one benefit may be that they are emotionally comforting and work to reduce the child's high level of anxiety, that is not the sole task they perform. And unlike your statement about the training of dogs who provide emotional support, these type of dogs undergo extensive training for approx 12-16 months and cost on average $25,00 to train. It would be best before providing a definitive answer to have asked the OP what "disability" or special need the individual has and is the service dog used for emotional support to control anxiety or by preventing or interrupting impulsive or aggressive behavior or merely for comfort. The first form of "emotional support," would meet the required needs the second would not. To the OP, I suggest contacting www.adata.org for the regional office in Fl and ask them directly. That way you can get a definitive answer based on the disability of the individual you are traveling with and the tasks that the service dog provides. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Wow she gave a basic answer and provided a link for more specific information. Her answer wasn't wrong. You just decided it wasn't as complete as you would like.

 

[Jennasis]

Whether they are allowed or not, doesn't matter to me. I have no problem with it. Heck the ducks, squirrels and seagulls are more of a pain in the neck (and more likely to impact my visit...but I still think they're hilarious).

 

[aaarcher86]

Glad to hear it. I love German Shepherds. How is the temperament of your Blue Heeler?

Fantastic. May easily qualify as the best dog I'll ever own. She gets a little testy with the Shepard but there's only so much 70 lb puppy we can all handle in a day!

 

[bedogged]

Whether they are allowed or not, doesn't matter to me. I have no problem with it. Heck the ducks, squirrels and seagulls are more of a pain in the neck (and more likely to impact my visit...but I still think they're hilarious).

Very true!

 

[plumsiren]

I think your assumptions regarding service dogs are inaccurate. Service dogs are not all German Shepherds in harness. They come in all sizes. Some are like that little Yorkie carried in a purse and not all are that visible.

When I was a kid people weren't carrying Yorkies around in purses and calling them service dogs. Anyway, I feel like the standard for a service animal, regardless of its function, should be extremely thorough training, including the instinct to only interact with their owners and not be distracted by outside influences.

 

[bedogged]

Fantastic. May easily qualify as the best dog I'll ever own. She gets a little testy with the Shepard but there's only so much 70 lb puppy we can all handle in a day!

That's good because the breed was originally bred to herd by nipping the heels of the animals it herds. It can cause them to be a bit nippy with people. I'm glad yours is so even tempered.

 

[davedmaine]

At least we can all agree that only basset hounds should be allowed in the parks, right?

 

[aaarcher86]

That's good because the breed was originally bred to herd by nipping the heels of the animals it herds. It can cause them to be a bit nippy with people. I'm glad yours is so even tempered.

She tried it as a puppy. She still needed to be trained like any other dog.

... I probably kicked her.

 

[aaarcher86]

At least we can all agree that only basset hounds should be allowed in the parks, right?

No. Where have you been? Pigs. It's all about the potbelly pigs!

 

[tajz90]

Fantastic. May easily qualify as the best dog I'll ever own. She gets a little testy with the Shepard but there's only so much 70 lb puppy we can all handle in a day!

That's good because the breed was originally bred to herd by nipping the heels of the animals it herds. It can cause them to be a bit nippy with people. I'm glad yours is so even tempered.

Must be nice. We've owned several and they've all been herders. The constant napping can be scary to tuse that don't understand.

 

[bedogged]

When I was a kid people weren't carrying Yorkies around in purses and calling them service dogs. Anyway, I feel like the standard for a service animal, regardless of its function, should be extremely thorough training, including the instinct to only interact with their owners and not be distracted by outside influences.

Not all service dogs are seeing eye dogs. Even small Yorkies can be trained to provide a service for their owners. It just depends upon what the person with the disability needs. I personally have trained Yorkies as obedience champions so do not underestimate them or their abilities.