Service Dogs in the parks

[disneynewman]

Just wondering if anyone here has brought a service dog to the parks? We will be going in April for our 5th trip with kids but this will be the first that my son son will have his autism service dog. I have been on Disney's web site and know what rides the dog can and can not go on etc. but just wanted to hear others experiences. I don't remember ever seeing a service dog in Disney.

 

[SAGE]

Hi,
My son also has autism and a service dog. It was a tough decision however we left her at home in the care of a family member. Quite honestly, I'm glad we did - she would have had a terrible time with the heat (granted we were there in August for free DDP). The crowds and the hot pavement however I also understand other service dogs may be used to those conditions - she isn't. My son did wonderfully without her! Did parks in the AM - quiet breaks in the afternoon. (Also had pictures of her in the hotel room).
Hope this helps!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are a number of regular DIS posters who travel to WDW with their service dogs. Hopefully one of them will be by soon and post.

Do you have any specific questions or just more want assurance that people brought their dogs and everything went well?

 

[disneynewman]

There are a number of regular DIS posters who travel to WDW with their service dogs. Hopefully one of them will be by soon and post.

Do you have any specific questions or just more want assurance that people brought their dogs and everything went well?

Yes I am realy just wanting to hear from others and know that everything went okay. Also curiouse about the reactions of other guest and CMs. We will be going the the last week in April, so hopefully the crowds will be low and we know that we will never be going in the sumemr again beacuse the pavement will be too hot, heck it's too hot for me too!

 

[Shorty82]

Here is a series of articles about touring WDW with a service dog.

 

[dclfun]

I am often in the parks and resorts with my SD- we live locally. I have had no negative reactions from CM's but it gets very tiring telling guests not to pet her. The thing I always tell others is to remember that it's like travelling with a baby. A dog must deal with the crowds, being tired, and having a different routine than usual. If the SD gets ill ( diarrhea, overheated, etc) then there is no choice but to go back to the resort. A dog cannot be expected to be in the parks from opening til close just due to stamina issues, although probably alot of people can't deal with that either! Having a SD with you will impact your touring plans considerably. It will often be difficult to locate the break areas and/or a CM to bring you backstage to the break areas but if you ask, someone is willing to help. That's the downside. For me, I cannot travel independently without my SD so I have no choice but to have her with me. I'm always aware of how she's feeling and considerate of her needs since as a team, both teammates need to be helping each other. ---Kathy ( and Skye)

 

[Forevryoung]

I would also consider how many adults and kids there are (and the kids ages) because if all of the kids want to go to an attraction that the dog can't go into, then one of the adults must wait outside with the dog. Can the remaining adult (if there is only one) handle all of the kids alone waiting on line and then throughout the attraction?

I would be prepared for such a situation unless you have a third adult-

Just a thought.

 

[disneynewman]

this trip will consist of DH, myslef, DS 5 (the one w/ the service dog) DD turns 3 days after the trip and my parents. Any ride that the dog will not be able to go on...my mother won't want to go on so she can stay with the dog and if DD can't go for height req. then one of the remaining adults will stay behind as well.
I'm glad to know that I need to find a CM to lead us to the break areas. That will impact our touring for sure. Also DS has autism so his endurance is probably less than a dog, breaks will be frequent. Thanks for the tips! Any more are appreictaed!

 

[lisadoll93]

how does having a service dog help your son with autism? I was just wondering.

 

[disneynewman]

how does having a service dog help your son with autism? I was just wondering.

service dogs for kids with autism are teathered to them so basically there is a nylon strap that contect a special belt on my son to the dog's harness. Each kid w/autism is different and therefor the dogs help in different ways, but using the dog as a calming effect during tantrums in a huge one. Also the dogs prevents (or at least makes it harder) for these kids to run off. Theses kids usually have no sense of danger from cars, strangers, getting lost in the store etc. and they can't comprehend that no matter how many times you tell them. You can check out autismservicedogsofamerica.com if you want to rread more.

 

[lisadoll93]

Thats very interesting. I will have to check that out.

thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

There was a really good article in May in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about a little boy with autism who had just gotten a service dog.
The article is no longer on the newspaper website, but the video that accompanied the story is still available. It shows very well how the dog 'grounds' the boy and keeps him from wandering. The video shows the first day with the dog, when the boy was still doing a lot of testing to see just what would happen. By the end of the article, the boy knew the dog would not give in and he was content to sit when the dog was sitting.
Here's another article about a service dog for a child with autism.

 

[dclfun]

I think SD's for autism are wonderful and can do so many tasks to benefit someone who has that condition. In the situation with the OP, it could be very stressful for both her son and the SD to be apart so it's a good idea, IMO, that they are bringing the dog with them on the trip. Having a SD in the parks makes things a bit tougher but is obviously much better without having your teammate with you. For some more suggestions that you probably already have thought of: I always carry a "lunch kit" for Skye with her water bowl, some treats, her lunch ( she eats in the afternoon), meds for possible diarrhea ( she's had that once) and allergies ( she got stung once by an ant ), and in the summer she wears a cooling wrap which was made by a Dis'er in extra long and wide Disney fabrics to match mine. I have a special wax for her paws to protect from the hot pavement but we try to avoid dark pavement and standing in one place too long. We often go into "show" type attractions where she immediately knows she'd better take a nap and to cool off if it's an inside attraction and we rest during the hotter part of the day in our resort. We stop frequently for water and if it's really hot she gets water splashed on her belly. There's a real danger to a dog for overheating. I bring a stuffed toy with her and her blanket so she knows where her "spot" is to sleep on the floor next to me. We've only once had a problem in a resort but I think it was the mousekeeper who saw her bag of dog food and reported it to the front desk. I had a VM telling me I must remove my dog or leave, then another VM apologizing as they read that I had noted on my ressie that I was t/w a SD. Really the biggest challenge is people wanting to pet her. I get so tired from saying no but if I give in then I feel she's been touched by way too many strangers and I don't want her to be distracted or feeling put-upon. ---Kathy

 

[disneynewman]

Sue, thanks for the links, they were great

 

[SAGE]

I'm sorry if it seemed I was trying to discourage SD's at WDW - Absolutely not - I should have qualified my post by saying it was just myself and my son. For me, trying to him happy, calm, etc. + worrying about his little sweetie would be too much.
I think dclfun was right on with the great suggestions for caring for your SD at the parks!

My son's service dog is not tethered to him or used for wandering etc. Prior to entering high school, he received his SD. I knew school at that level would be an issue. She has broken down numerous barriers, communication and socially for him. Lots of students approach him to see his dog and this forces him to interact and talk about her. (She's his fav. subject and he will daily tell people she is his best friend!) He walks her in the neighbourhood independently and chats with neighbours. ( Miracle in its self!)
He has done wonderfully - she has been the best thing to happen in his life.

 

[disneynewman]

Sage,

Not to worry! As the mother of a child w/ ASD I would never judge you on what you choose to do with your son. But it does make much more sense that you might leave your SD at home, since your son is much older, and perhaps doesn't rely as heavily on his SD anymore. I hope that my DS will overcome as many barriers with the aide of his SD as yours has

 

[SueM in MN]

SAGE, I think you made a good decision for your family.
You looked at the service the dog provides for your son and decided that the cost of that service (worry about the dog in the heat, etc, etc) was greater than the 'value' of having that service in the parks.

 

[dclfun]

SAGE- I agree with you. Bringing a SD isn't something that's a positive experience for everyone, and it certainly isn't always a positive experience for the dog. They work so hard in the parks to ignore the crowds and to help their owner plus being in the heat, doing more physical work than may be usual, being poked and petted, crushed and stepped on in the busses, etc. Everyone has to decide what's worth it for them and if they truly *need* the dog with them at WDW which in your case your son did not. For someone who depends on their dog to maintain their ability to be independent or safe and who thus makes the trip easier ( or even possible ), then it's another story. That's why I mentioned to start with that having your SD with you affects your touring plans greatly and that the dogs needs have to be considered. It's not like travelling with a robot...a SD is another living being. I know that sounds really simple but not everyone realizes that, esp. people who don't have a SD or haven't travelled with one outside their community. People always tell Skye how lucky she is to be at WDW but I don't think she has the same feelings about being there, lol. I'll never forget the first time she rode an attraction, which was IASW. She wasn't comfortable at all - she stood facing forward the entire time with her legs spread out a little to maintain her balance. She had a very determined look on her face- I think she thought we might capsize! ---Kathy

 

[disneynewman]

I think SD's for autism are wonderful and can do so many tasks to benefit someone who has that condition. In the situation with the OP, it could be very stressful for both her son and the SD to be apart so it's a good idea, IMO, that they are bringing the dog with them on the trip. Having a SD in the parks makes things a bit tougher but is obviously much better without having your teammate with you. For some more suggestions that you probably already have thought of: I always carry a "lunch kit" for Skye with her water bowl, some treats, her lunch ( she eats in the afternoon), meds for possible diarrhea ( she's had that once) and allergies ( she got stung once by an ant ), and in the summer she wears a cooling wrap which was made by a Dis'er in extra long and wide Disney fabrics to match mine. I have a special wax for her paws to protect from the hot pavement but we try to avoid dark pavement and standing in one place too long. We often go into "show" type attractions where she immediately knows she'd better take a nap and to cool off if it's an inside attraction and we rest during the hotter part of the day in our resort. We stop frequently for water and if it's really hot she gets water splashed on her belly. There's a real danger to a dog for overheating. I bring a stuffed toy with her and her blanket so she knows where her "spot" is to sleep on the floor next to me. We've only once had a problem in a resort but I think it was the mousekeeper who saw her bag of dog food and reported it to the front desk. I had a VM telling me I must remove my dog or leave, then another VM apologizing as they read that I had noted on my ressie that I was t/w a SD. Really the biggest challenge is people wanting to pet her. I get so tired from saying no but if I give in then I feel she's been touched by way too many strangers and I don't want her to be distracted or feeling put-upon. ---Kathy

Kathy,
Can you tell me more about the wax for thier paws, I was going to have booties on hand in case it gets too hot but most dogs hate those, the wax sounds easier
Christine

 

[pezter]

I do not know what Kathy uses but I use Mushers Paw Wax to protect my dogs feet. Easy to apply and works well protecting the paw from heat. I usually apply a couple times while in the park. It is a little expensive but they have some other products that are similar. As a bonus it seems to help the overall condition of the pads of the feet