DisneyBigSis
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2014
Let me start off by saying that I'm sorry this is so long. Before you get sucked into this my questions are mainly for those with history or experience with service dogs and mainly those who have gone to WDW with said dogs. But feel free to give advice or opinions even if you don't. I need all the input I can get! Thanks in advance!
So recently my doctor had "prescribed" me a service dog for my PTSD. It is important to know that she is a psychiatric support animal and NOT an emotional support animal. I'm not knocking ESAs but my dog is not there to simply make me happier and less angry or anxious she is there to help me walk out my door every morning with out being afraid, help me sleep at night, and is trained to help me calm down if I'm having an episode in public. The biggest thing she does for me though is help me get out of my apartment every morning and helps me feel safe through out the day. I've gotten pretty good with out her, I don't take her EVERY where with me unless I'm having a particularly "weak" couple of days.
With that being said, My family is going to WDW in October. It will be me, my immediate family (7 of us), my brother in law, my newborn nephew (who will be staying in the hotel each day), and my boyfriend. I would like to leave her behind but I've decided that it's safer for me to bring her so that I don't have an episode and ruin everyone's vacation. Also, if the parks are harder for me to be in than I anticipated then it's good to at least have the option of having her with me.
So here are my questions:
1. I've only had her for about two months officially. I'm still not extremely comfortable bringing INTO public places. Unless I absolutely need her I usually leave her tied up outside with a toy and some water, or I simply just don't go. I know that there's a law allowing service animals into public spaces for a reason. But since she doesn't help me see or alert seizures I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of those laws by bringing her in places dogs are not normally permitted. I've also noticed Drika's work isn't visible to most so the few times I've taken her into places dogs shouldn't be I get really dirty looks. I've only been confronted once. My question is, if I feel I need to take her with me into the parks one or all days how are CMs when is comes to dealing with Service Dogs? I plan to carry proof of her training, a doctors note, and this card with the law on it that I was given just incase. Technically, according US law I don't need any of it. But it's also really traumatic for me to have to deal with confrontation when it comes to her and talking about my PTSD. Should I prepare myself for the CMs to give me trouble or will a simple "she's a service dog" suffice?
2. If I do need to bring her into the parks how does the riders swap work with a service dog? Can I forego the riders swap and simply tie her up on the exit side of the ride for the few rides that she can't go on?
3. With the exception of roller coasters service dogs are allowed on rides. Does anyone with a service dog have experience actually bringing their service dogs onto the rides? I mean out dogs are trained REALLY well but one of Drika's jobs is to protect me non-violently. The first week I had her she actually had a chance to display what that meant... Basically a lot of growling to tell someone who is acting threatening to back off. She would never actually attack someone I think unless they attack me first. That's what I was told when I did my training. But I could only imagine her finding at least Pirates or the Haunted mansion fairly threatening. I don't want to ruin any other guests experience by Drika trying to protect me from an animatronic. (For you who don't have any experience with service dogs don't worry, she was trained to NEVER attack or "protect" me from children.)
4. This question is for anyone with pet allergies... Are there any tricks you've used to help you be in a confined space with an animal you're allergic to? While Drika doesn't shed she still produces dander and my mother is actually allergic. She plans on getting this shot her doctor recommended. It won't cure the problem but it will also help a great deal. He also told her she could take OTC allergy medicine while on it. We booked a multi-room suite I plan on trying to just keep her as confined as possible unless my mom shows signs of being okay. Also, since I don't PLAN on bringing her into the parks I've booked her a spot in the doggy day care they have near the parks. So I'm hoping her not being in the room will keep the dander at a minimum.
5.
So recently my doctor had "prescribed" me a service dog for my PTSD. It is important to know that she is a psychiatric support animal and NOT an emotional support animal. I'm not knocking ESAs but my dog is not there to simply make me happier and less angry or anxious she is there to help me walk out my door every morning with out being afraid, help me sleep at night, and is trained to help me calm down if I'm having an episode in public. The biggest thing she does for me though is help me get out of my apartment every morning and helps me feel safe through out the day. I've gotten pretty good with out her, I don't take her EVERY where with me unless I'm having a particularly "weak" couple of days.
With that being said, My family is going to WDW in October. It will be me, my immediate family (7 of us), my brother in law, my newborn nephew (who will be staying in the hotel each day), and my boyfriend. I would like to leave her behind but I've decided that it's safer for me to bring her so that I don't have an episode and ruin everyone's vacation. Also, if the parks are harder for me to be in than I anticipated then it's good to at least have the option of having her with me.
So here are my questions:
1. I've only had her for about two months officially. I'm still not extremely comfortable bringing INTO public places. Unless I absolutely need her I usually leave her tied up outside with a toy and some water, or I simply just don't go. I know that there's a law allowing service animals into public spaces for a reason. But since she doesn't help me see or alert seizures I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of those laws by bringing her in places dogs are not normally permitted. I've also noticed Drika's work isn't visible to most so the few times I've taken her into places dogs shouldn't be I get really dirty looks. I've only been confronted once. My question is, if I feel I need to take her with me into the parks one or all days how are CMs when is comes to dealing with Service Dogs? I plan to carry proof of her training, a doctors note, and this card with the law on it that I was given just incase. Technically, according US law I don't need any of it. But it's also really traumatic for me to have to deal with confrontation when it comes to her and talking about my PTSD. Should I prepare myself for the CMs to give me trouble or will a simple "she's a service dog" suffice?
2. If I do need to bring her into the parks how does the riders swap work with a service dog? Can I forego the riders swap and simply tie her up on the exit side of the ride for the few rides that she can't go on?
3. With the exception of roller coasters service dogs are allowed on rides. Does anyone with a service dog have experience actually bringing their service dogs onto the rides? I mean out dogs are trained REALLY well but one of Drika's jobs is to protect me non-violently. The first week I had her she actually had a chance to display what that meant... Basically a lot of growling to tell someone who is acting threatening to back off. She would never actually attack someone I think unless they attack me first. That's what I was told when I did my training. But I could only imagine her finding at least Pirates or the Haunted mansion fairly threatening. I don't want to ruin any other guests experience by Drika trying to protect me from an animatronic. (For you who don't have any experience with service dogs don't worry, she was trained to NEVER attack or "protect" me from children.)
4. This question is for anyone with pet allergies... Are there any tricks you've used to help you be in a confined space with an animal you're allergic to? While Drika doesn't shed she still produces dander and my mother is actually allergic. She plans on getting this shot her doctor recommended. It won't cure the problem but it will also help a great deal. He also told her she could take OTC allergy medicine while on it. We booked a multi-room suite I plan on trying to just keep her as confined as possible unless my mom shows signs of being okay. Also, since I don't PLAN on bringing her into the parks I've booked her a spot in the doggy day care they have near the parks. So I'm hoping her not being in the room will keep the dander at a minimum.
5.