Registered emotional support dog allowed?

[aaarcher86]

Yes there was the following vicious attack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvlzkdxad-A

This kid beat poor Pluto's **** before he attacked. Self defense!

 

[ftballfan7]

Before I go to Magic Kingdom next time, I'm going to get my doctor to write me a script for an emotional support six pack of beer.

 

[Stefecatzz]

Before I go to Magic Kingdom next time, I'm going to get my doctor to write me a script for an emotional support six pack of beer.

Cheers to that!

 

[plumsiren]

Before I go to Magic Kingdom next time, I'm going to get my doctor to write me a script for an emotional support six pack of beer.

One word: Xanax. Some of us deal with our disabilities the old fashioned way!

 

[SueM in MN]

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.

One of the young ladies who was in my youngest DD's wheelchair dance class had a YorkiePoo as her Service Dog.
She used a power wheelchair and a small dog that could sit in her lap was easier to keep nearby without worrying about running over the dog's feet with her power wheelchair. He was able to pick up small things she dropped and hand them to her, alert or get people in other rooms when she needed something and also to detect seizures and alert for them.
I know the place that trained her dog also has used Yorkies for hearing alert Service Dogs.

One thing people need to understand though is not all ESAs are pets nor are they only used for comfort nor are all of them not highly trained. There are many ESAs that are more like service animals than just "emotional support" but since they deal with the mental more than then physical they are not labeled the same.

My 6 year old nephew Gabe is bi-polar/autistic and a few years ago, his ESA Cody came into our lives and really, that dog has been a true live saver. Cody not only provides comfort like a "pet" but he is also trained to sense Gabe's moods and where he is on the high/low scale. Gabe can go from happy, calm and bubbly to deep depression without a moment's notice, and during lows can strike out, not only against others but also into self harm. Cody can sense a breakdown and before Gabe can start lashing out, Cody is able to gently get him down, cover him and bring him to focus. It's amazing to watch. Cody is also trained to get Gabe's parents if he about to melt down when they are out of the room, to watch Gabe's actions if he starts to do things that could harm him or others and take action, and also to move between Gabe and others if Gabe were to possibly lash out at say another child. Cody is also able to help with the highs, and keeps Gabe from climbing things or running out the door ect.

Cody is considered an emotional support dog, not a service animal because he deals with a mental issue and not a physical issue, but that does not make him a pet. He is a life saver for my nephew and a necessary part of our day to day lives. To call that dog a pet, is unfair and wrong. He is a service animal just the same as one who sees or hears for others.

Cody does actually meet the definition in the ADA of a Service Dog because of all the things I bolded.
He has been individually trained for work or tasks that are directly related to Gabe's disability. Cody has been trained to sense things and to do specific things in response to what he sensed.

This is a quote from the ADA summary document I posted a link to in the first page.
"Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. [Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA."

The link summarizes the important points about Service Animals in the final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities. These were published on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register and took effect on March 15, 2011.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

This link is just interesting - it is the first organization in the US that placed Autism Service Dogs.
http://4pawsforability.org/autism-assistance-dog/

 

[Rosco1]

My beagle could take care of the duck problem at Disney.

 

[Planogirl]

My beagle could take care of the duck problem at Disney.

Duck problem?

Seriously, it would be nice if someone or something could do something about the Grackles and Gulls.

 

[Robo]

For something that seems very important to the original poster, You think they would of just called Disney for the answers instead of posting on a forum when they know they would get different answers. I'm just saying

If you knew anything about "calling Disney" for correct information, you'd not make that suggestion.

(This was covered in this very thread, early on.)

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

if you knew anything about "calling disney" for correct information, you'd not make that suggestion. (this was covered in this very thread, early on.)

+1

 

[dsnymomof4]

I have not read through all of the pages, but just wanted to say that on our trip in December, we saw quite a few dogs - which surprised us very much - as they did not look like seeing eye dogs. I had no idea that there could be other kinds of service dogs. One time when we were boarding Little Mermaid, there were 2 older ladies on the ride already and the one had a small dog on her lap - I thought that was very odd. We saw a few bigger dogs walking around MK also. And at the Pop bus stop, a couple with a 10-12yo boy came up with a med/large dog with a sign that said something about it being for a diabetic. I have to say, I was a bit nervous to ride the bus with it - but the family boarded first and sat in the back around the dog - they were very courteous to the other riders. Did not even know the dog was there.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I agree with this. We were in a TX airport back in September and there was a lady waiting to board our plane with 2 dogs that she said were Emotional Support dogs. They were on leashes, but she wasn't holding them back - she was letting them go up to everybody and lick people and do whatever they wanted. I asked her how she got them certified as Emotional Support dogs and she said all she did was go to a website -I forgot what website it was - and pay about $500 and they sent her a card. She was boasting that they even have to let her take them into restaurants. I asked if she had to buy a seat for them and she said no that she was holding them in her lap. I would have been beyond angry if I had been the poor soul having to sit in the seat beside her and TWO dogs!! I totally support trained service animals, but I don't think people need to take a dog with them every where for emotional support. Sorry.

Sorry but many people actually need their support dogs to function day to day. I can't comment about this one particular woman. But as many people have given examples off, many ESD's are training and perform a function. Many people genuinely function without their support animal.

One thing people need to understand though is not all ESAs are pets nor are they only used for comfort nor are all of them not highly trained. There are many ESAs that are more like service animals than just "emotional support" but since they deal with the mental more than then physical they are not labeled the same.

My 6 year old nephew Gabe is bi-polar/autistic and a few years ago, his ESA Cody came into our lives and really, that dog has been a true live saver. Cody not only provides comfort like a "pet" but he is also trained to sense Gabe's moods and where he is on the high/low scale. Gabe can go from happy, calm and bubbly to deep depression without a moment's notice, and during lows can strike out, not only against others but also into self harm. Cody can sense a breakdown and before Gabe can start lashing out, Cody is able to gently get him down, cover him and bring him to focus. It's amazing to watch. Cody is also trained to get Gabe's parents if he about to melt down when they are out of the room, to watch Gabe's actions if he starts to do things that could harm him or others and take action, and also to move between Gabe and others if Gabe were to possibly lash out at say another child. Cody is also able to help with the highs, and keeps Gabe from climbing things or running out the door ect.

Cody is considered an emotional support dog, not a service animal because he deals with a mental issue and not a physical issue, but that does not make him a pet. He is a life saver for my nephew and a necessary part of our day to day lives. To call that dog a pet, is unfair and wrong. He is a service animal just the same as one who sees or hears for others.

Hearing stories like this, I'm so pleased that our laws also include Support Dogs. Hopefully other countries follow soon because they are very much needed and should be protected as much as other Service Animals.

Someone in my immediate family has an Emotional Support Animal. What is required from them is to be under the care of a doctor in the field & have a doctor's note stating the purpose of the dog. They have never nor would they ever attempt to go places where they cannot legally bring their dog (anywhere dogs are not allowed except plane cabins or their own complex). Without divulging any personal info, the dog has obviously had a huge benefit on their quality of life & they as well as everyone close to them are grateful that ESAs are protected to the extent they are & able to be prescribed by doctors. This dog was prescribed by the doctor; they did not seek out a doctor for the purpose of getting an ESA.

Interesting read, thank you for sharing. ESD's are so important, they can make such a huge difference to peoples lives.

We're discussing WDW, which is in the United States. What other countries allow is irrelevant to this discussion.

Sorry it's not actually irrelevant because people are discussion ESD's in general, not just their attendance at WDW. People are stating ESD's are just pets which isn't true since many countries classify them as Service Dogs. I wasn't stating that simply because Australia has this law, WDW should too. However there is a BIG different between a pet and a service animal.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

If you knew anything about "calling Disney" for correct information, you'd not make that suggestion.

(This was covered in this very thread, early on.)

 

[AmyB2006]

Hearing stories like this, I'm so pleased that our laws also include Support Dogs. Hopefully other countries follow soon because they are very much needed and should be protected as much as other Service Animals.

You have to have laws it seems, due to the negative opinions of some others. That is very evident in this thread.

 

[JanaDee]

However there is a BIG different between a pet and a service animal.

I completely agree. A service animal is highly trained and controlled by its owner and is legitimately certified for the job it does.

Just because it is a pet does not make it a service/"emotional support" animal.

 

[Simba's Mom]

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.

That's exactly what I was told once. But the dog wasn't a yorkie, so we weren't talking with the same one! I had to chuckle to myself because isn't it a documented medical fact that petting your pet lowers blood pressure? I thought it was, so I told DH later that next time we'll bring our cat because he lowers my blood pressure.
To the OP, there's written policy, then there's fact. As a PP said, Disney doesn't want unhappy guests. Over the last few years, I've seen a number of emotional support dogs (or at least that's what the owners say they are) at resorts and on buses. So I can't see an emotional support dog being turned away.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

You have to have laws it seems, due to the negative opinions of some others. That is very evident in this thread.

Yes, that is why our laws here were changed sometime ago. ESD's are considered a Service animal so they're allowed everywhere. It's the law so there is no gray area.

I completely agree. A service animal is highly trained and controlled by its owner and is legitimately certified for the job it does.

Just because it is a pet does not make it a service/"emotional support" animal.

I agree that simply being a pet doesn't make it an emotional support animal. There are many animals out there that are genuine Emotional Support Dogs. In Australia, ESD's (called therapy animals here in Australia) are trained. Many are dogs that started Guide Dog training but couldn't be accepted to be a Guide Dog. I just find it frustrating that people are quick to label that all ESD's are pets and it's simply people who can't stand being away from their pets. It might be true of some people but for most, it's a genuine need for the animal. Some people can't function without these animals, just like people who need a Guide Dog due to being visually impaired. Simply because it might be a disability that people can't "see" doesn't mean it's not as real.

 

[livndisney]

Yes, that is why our laws here were changed sometime ago. ESD's are considered a Service animal so they're allowed everywhere. It's the law so there is no gray area.



I agree that simply being a pet doesn't make it an emotional support animal. There are many animals out there that are genuine Emotional Support Dogs. In Australia, ESD's (called therapy animals here in Australia) are trained. Many are dogs that started Guide Dog training but couldn't be accepted to be a Guide Dog. I just find it frustrating that people are quick to label that all ESD's are pets and it's simply people who can't stand being away from their pets. It might be true of some people but for most, it's a genuine need for the animal. Some people can't function without these animals, just like people who need a Guide Dog due to being visually impaired. Simply because it might be a disability that people can't "see" doesn't mean it's not as real.

To clarify-(bolded) is not law in the US.

 

[hunterjumperluv]

Is there any reason that one person could need two service dogs at once? Recently in Epcot, I saw one woman with two border collies and I couldn't for the life of me come up with a reason why someone would need two service dogs, for one person.

I understand the concept behind ESA etc, and find that service animals in general are a wonderful thing, however, I've noticed more and more "unruly" service dogs who seem to be ruining things for those who really need them.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

To clarify-(bolded) is not law in the US.

I haven't stopped writing Australia I doubt anyone could miss that piece of information. I even mentioned it in that same post

 

[bedogged]

You have to have laws it seems, due to the negative opinions of some others. That is very evident in this thread.

Unfortunately, that is true. In addition, I am very thankful for the Americans with Disabilities Act for the same reason.