Service Dog Help!

[videogal1]

. The only question they are allowed to ask is what tasks the dog does for you that you cannot do for yourself- a SD must be able to perform tasks. No one is allowed to ask about the nature of your disability. . It is not productive to your bond with your dog to place her in a kennel and while this may not pertain to your vacation, in the future if you are seen as being able to function without your dog then you set yourself up for "issues" of people being able to question your need to have the dog in the first place ( this is more for a workplace, but just something to think of ).

Well, as Kathy knows, businesses can ask three questions..The one she mentioned plus two others:
1. Are you disabled? (see the ADA rules and other case law for that one as it pertains to your situation) You do not have to divulge any of your medical business for this because managers cannot be in the business of determining disability, leaving "disabled enough" to the courts.
2. Is this a Service dog/animal? ( see the ADA guidelines and case law for why a kitty or reptile cannot qualify)

and the third one, which Kathy explained very well, and is the method by which many businesses are able to exclude Service Dog/ animal wannabees:
3. What task/s that relate to mitigating (the unnamed ADA- level) disability you need not reveal in question #1) does the dog perform for you that you cannot do for yourself? Having an anxiety disorder,for example, and a dog that picks up or retrieves things doesn't qualify...so why did I hear this one at the airport last week, evidently by a service dog handler wannabee??

Cash has visited WDW several times and I have mixed feelings about SDog access there...Two things of concern being the huge crowds that cause enormous stress because suddenly everybody acts as though they've never seen a dog before... and the incredibly hot pavement... (The 50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM does, however, have a doggie water bowl that they have used for SDs).

 

[SueM in MN]

Well, as Kathy knows, businesses can ask three questions..The one she mentioned plus two others:
1. Are you disabled? (see the ADA rules and other case law for that one as it pertains to your situation) You do not have to divulge any of your medical business for this because managers cannot be in the business of determining disability, leaving "disabled enough" to the courts.
2. Is this a Service dog/animal? ( see the ADA guidelines and case law for why a kitty or reptile cannot qualify)

and the third one, which Kathy explained very well, and is the method by which many businesses are able to exclude Service Dog/ animal wannabees:
3. What task/s that relate to mitigating (the unnamed ADA- level) disability you need not reveal in question #1) does the dog perform for you that you cannot do for yourself? Having an anxiety disorder,for example, and a dog that picks up or retrieves things doesn't qualify...so why did I hear this one at the airport last week, evidently by a service dog handler wannabee??

Cash has visited WDW several times and I have mixed feelings about SDog access there...Two things of concern being the huge crowds that cause enormous stress because suddenly everybody acts as though they've never seen a dog before... and the incredibly hot pavement... (The 50's Prime Time Cafe at MGM does, however, have a doggie water bowl that they have used for SDs).

A very good summary.
I posted a link to the ADA Commonly asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business on page one of this thread if anyone wants to see then entire information.
It does state that a business owner can not require documentation, but can ask the questions that videogal mentioned. If the person with a disability chooses to carry some documentation, they can choose to show it, but can't be required to have it as a condition of allowing access to their service animal.

 

[spotdog]

Thank you videogal and SueinMN for your legal advice. I have updated my employers.( I would put a thumbs up here but the website won't let me)

I love service animals and admit that I have to resist the urge to pay unwanted attention to them. I tell children that "this dog is working and has to concentrate on his/her work".

I have lived with a severe anxiety disorder for many years so I understand wanting a well-trained companion animal. Unfortunatley, my apartment manager and most of my employers say NO way.

I do alot of house and dog-sitting.

 

[MBW]

last February, and kenneled him during the day. He is our autistic son's dog, and is trained to keep him out of dangerous situations (he's an Australian Shepherd, so the instinct was already there before the training.) We felt, however, that Indy would react badly to the people screaming on rides - he gets worked up when kids ride by on their bikes yelling and such, as he thinks someone is in danger. Besides, it was too much to organize four kids of different sizes, let alone one of us having to stay behind on any given ride to hold the dog.

He was able to stay with us at the resorts, and was great keeping an eye on Jonah in the pool. But he was perfectly content to hang out during the day at the kennels, and they loved him so much at the Magic Kingdom kennel, we took him there everyday, even if we were going to a different park.

We're going to Disneyland in a few weeks, and I now have to find a local kennel. Does anyone know if there's a kennel at the park?

 

[pezter]

We're going to Disneyland in a few weeks, and I now have to find a local kennel. Does anyone know if there's a kennel at the park?

The Disneyland Kennel Club is open 1/2 hour before Park opening and 1/2 hour after Park closing. Price is $15.00 per pet. The Guests must walk their animal. No Overnight Stays.

Disneyland Kennel Club at (714) 781-7662.

 

[XenaTrek]

Top of the morning... haven't read the entire postings in reference to SDs... I work with characters at WDW and utilize a Service Dog/Hearing Dog name "Roxie" for the last couple of years. In the beginning I had problems with bring "Rox" to work especially trying to get past security but that problem has been resolved after numberous communitcations between my managers and the managers that deal with security. Suppositily there has been a better training regiment put in place since there is at least one other gal who has a SD from the same org that "Rox" is from that had some minor difficulty but not as bad as mine. She has a visible disability while I do not.. my disability is hard of hearing/deafness.

I do have the names and numbers of those who have been and are working with me in reference to service dogs/hearing dogs... so if you and/or any others (continue) to have problems with access do let me know and I'll pass along the information to the appropriate person(s).

Lis and "Rox" (Character Greeter)

 

[ducklite]

Top of the morning... haven't read the entire postings in reference to SDs... I work with characters at WDW and utilize a Service Dog/Hearing Dog name "Roxie" for the last couple of years.
Lis and "Rox" (Character Greeter)

Lis,

I've seen you at work!

I've also seen another CM who uses a wheelchair with a service dog, but she was a greeter in the front of the park, not with the characters.

In the past two years I've noticed more and more CM's with disabilities working at WDW, including some in wheelchairs, visually impaired, and at least one who is a little person.

Anne

 

[XenaTrek]

You mean I can't "hide" anymore? Just kidding. )

Next time you see us... do feel free to say 'hi'... I'm not due back at Disney until May-ish as I'm still recovering from a lengthly hospital stay. I wasn't aware of a Greeter in the front of the park with an SD... must be a new cast member... tho its cool that there are more around with SD to not only help us with our disabilities but to also educate the public.

I do know one other cast member personally that has a dog from the same org that "Rox" is from who works over at a crews line.

Don't work too hard and hope to be seeing you (and my fellow 'trouble er... magic makers' soon! We MISS YOU GUYS).

Lis n "Rox"

Lis,

I've seen you at work!

I've also seen another CM who uses a wheelchair with a service dog, but she was a greeter in the front of the park, not with the characters.

Anne

 

[Talking Hands]

Top of the morning... haven't read the entire postings in reference to SDs... I work with characters at WDW and utilize a Service Dog/Hearing Dog name "Roxie" for the last couple of years. In the beginning I had problems with bring "Rox" to work especially trying to get past security but that problem has been resolved after numberous communitcations between my managers and the managers that deal with security. Suppositily there has been a better training regiment put in place since there is at least one other gal who has a SD from the same org that "Rox" is from that had some minor difficulty but not as bad as mine. She has a visible disability while I do not.. my disability is hard of hearing/deafness.

I do have the names and numbers of those who have been and are working with me in reference to service dogs/hearing dogs... so if you and/or any others (continue) to have problems with access do let me know and I'll pass along the information to the appropriate person(s).

Lis and "Rox" (Character Greeter)

May I ask where your dog is from? My good friend is waiting for her 3rd guide/hearing dog from Southeast Guide Dogs. Her other 2 had to be retired.

 

[XenaTrek]

Congrats on your sevice dog.

My SD "Rox" and I work at Disney as Character Greeter. In the beginning when I went to work... I get stopped by Security who were not versed in SD's constantly whenever I go to Disney to work my shifts at both the guest and castmember entrance. This lasted for a few weeks as I only worked part-time.

I have had my managers, fellow castmembers and the trainer/rep from which "Rox" is from call and educate the security folks and haven't had much of a problem since then.

I've also spoken to the person in charged of security and they have (or at least suppositly have) implemented a training regiem that incorporates service dogs. If you do have problem with your SD... do go to guest relations as all of them should be versed in SDs, etc., you are also welcome to contact me here or by email: "ellislis at gmail dot com" (sorry... my post count is low... so they won't allow me to put links just yet) and I'll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Have fun at Disney... and if you happen to see a character greeter with a black lab... it'll probably be me... do stop by and say "hi".

Take care. Lis n "Rox"

I recently got a service dog! (HOORAY!!!) She is little, her name is Tinkerbell and she is a chihuahua! (yep even small dogs can be service dogs) This Christmas will be my first trip to WDW with her. I have spoken to my resort, she will be accomidated there. I have spoken to the kennels so should she be overwhelmed she is welcome there (at no cost!)

My question lies in the parks/restaurants/other resorts/busses.

I have her papers, and she is getting a vest, though I do not know if she will have it by then. I don't want to get stopped every 100 feet with her having to show her papers, that puts a damper on the fun.

How does this work, for those of you who have done it before?

 

[XenaTrek]

I got "Rox" from Paws with a Cause which is based out of Michigan.

Website: www[dot]pawswithacause[dot]org

The local rep who is located here in Orlando is Judi Volpe
Her email addy is PawsPup [at] aol [dot] com
Her phone number is 407.498.0780

"Rox" herself is getting old... she's be 8 this year... not sure what the retirement age for Hearing Dogs are as I was told they work longer than a Service/Assist Dog who assist those with wheelchairs. I think she'll be in service for a good year or two more after this year... or so I hope.

Lis

May I ask where your dog is from? My good friend is waiting for her 3rd guide/hearing dog from Southeast Guide Dogs. Her other 2 had to be retired.