Service Dog Question

[KandD]

I saw something at WDW this weekend that confused me a bit and I am hoping that my fellow DISers can help educate me a bit. I know that service animal threads can get heated but I am not looking to start a fight, I just have a question...

In line at WDW this weekend there were three older adults together with a stroller. A small dog (dachshund I think) was inside the stroller and it had a service dog vest on. There was no child inside the stroller, only the dog. So my question is, is this typical for a service dog? I have never seen one being pushed around in a stroller. I know I have read on the DIS that there are service dogs that can sense a diabetic attack or seizure when it is coming on so I am thinking maybe it is that kind of dog?? But it seems strange to me that it is being pushed around.

 

[roxysmum123]

Could be a dog for "invisible illnesses" anxiety, autism, epilepsy (though not likely with a dog this small), etc. My guess is anxiety and they were probably concerned that due to its size and the crowds that it could get stomped on or run over by a "stroller wielding manic". I've seen lots of small dogs used in a service dog capacity, and would honestly recommend a client of mine if they were taking the dog to a park like WDW to have safety plans in place for the pet as these dogs cost a FORTUNE to train and acquire and are invaluable to their owners that need them for their particular health needs.

Edit: there are also dogs being used as service dogs for veterans of the war with PTSD so it could be for that too.

 

[cornflake]

There are specific stroller-like things for dogs and cats, sortof crosses between strollers and shopping carts, with netting, so they can get outside if they've got an issue with walking on their own or whatever.

However, agree with the above, sounds like that was someone just trying to keep their dog from getting smushed - people aren't thinking there may be a dog, the same way you kind of, in the back of your mind, know they can be there on the street.

There are dogs (and other service animals) for assistance with all kinds of things - in addition to those listed by previous posters, some deaf people have dogs that alert them to stuff they can't hear - that wouldn't require the dog to necessarily walk along at all times.

 

[Stitchfans]

If I had to have a service dog with me at all times and it was tiny chances are I most likely would of done the same thing. I wonder though how well the dog could perform his/her duties if confined to a stroller though. Shows how much I know about these specially trained animals.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not typical but there are animals who react to oncoming seizures or that sort of thing. There are also animals that accompany persons with anxiety or agoraphobia, apparently they feel better about going out in public when they have their animal with them. These animals might not be specifically trained or registered. I believe the business is not allowed to ask a customer/guest why they need a service animal and training documentation can't be required to permit a customer/guest to bring one into a business, so there's no telling whether or not someone just didn't want to leave their pet at home. I wouldn't say it was all that unusual anymore as I've seen a yorkie in a stroller inside DHS before.

 

[Jennasis]

For a dog that small, I would agree that putting it in a stroller was safest at WDW.

 

[KandD]

Thank you for the insight everyone. I didn't think about the safety of the dog but that makes perfect sense.