Service Dogs

[MapleGirl]

How does travel work with a service dog? Can they go on a plane with you? Do you have to buy your dog a seat on the plane? What about at Disney World? I've seen them at the World, but can the dogs go on rides? What do you do with the dog if you want to go on the ride?

Does any one have a diabetes service dog?

 

[robynchic]

How does travel work with a service dog? Can they go on a plane with you? Do you have to buy your dog a seat on the plane? What about at Disney World? I've seen them at the World, but can the dogs go on rides? What do you do with the dog if you want to go on the ride?

Does any one have a diabetes service dog?

From my knowledge (as a former puppy raiser for guide dogs), yes, they WILL go on a plane with you. Not can- WILL. They are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so any airline that denies your dog entry onto the flight is breaking the law. What you will want to do is specifically ask for the bulk head or first class, so there's more room for the dog in front of you.

The dog can go on the rides, depending on which rides you want to go on. Roller coasters are a no-no. If you have a group of people going with you to WDW, you can do the rider switch out program for your dog. CMs should know where the dog specifically can go back stage to relieve himself or herself. But there are plenty of rides the dog may be able to go on.

 

[cnktruitt]

Hey DISers,

Our whole family loves dogs....in fact the very first word out of my sons mouth was "dog". Which didn't go over well with mama or dada. Unfortunately that very same son, a very special, special needs son also has extreme allergies to animal saliva. So as a concerned parent I would just like to gently remind folks to be aware that while your service dog is a tremendous assist in very many ways, it can also, unfortunately put my son in the hospital. So please when you take your dog on the plane or on a ride, please if possible, quickly wipe down the immediate area with a clorox type wipe. They come in handy to-go packets. Yes........I know, what a pain! But just think that that little action could save my boy at least one day in the er and 2 more in a bed.

Okay, I'm gonna duck my head now. Please don't hate me. I just have other concerns. Yours are not less valid.

 

[livndisney]

Hey DISers,

Our whole family loves dogs....in fact the very first word out of my sons mouth was "dog". Which didn't go over well with mama or dada. Unfortunately that very same son, a very special, special needs son also has extreme allergies to animal saliva. So as a concerned parent I would just like to gently remind folks to be aware that while your service dog is a tremendous assist in very many ways, it can also, unfortunately put my son in the hospital. So please when you take your dog on the plane or on a ride, please if possible, quickly wipe down the immediate area with a clorox type wipe. They come in handy to-go packets. Yes........I know, what a pain! But just think that that little action could save my boy at least one day in the er and 2 more in a bed.

Okay, I'm gonna duck my head now. Please don't hate me. I just have other concerns. Yours are not less valid.

Believe me I understand, but ask you to take into consideration-that clorox wipe you are asking people to use to protect your child can seriously hurt someone like my family with chemical senstitives.

Is there a reason you suggest clorox wipes? Would antibac wipes work as well?

 

[cnktruitt]

Oh darn, can't win for loosing Honestly I don't know the answer to that. This is what was recommended to us by the allergist. I would hope an anti-bac wipe would work as well. And frankly anything is better than nothing, well, except water/baby wipes.....which would just spread allergens everywhere.

 

[SueM in MN]

For the OP, if you use the link in my signature to go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find information about Service Dogs in post #3 of that thread.
There is also some information in the transportation post on that same thread.

For the person with the child with allergies to dog saliva, I'm not sure what advantage bleach and/or antibacterial wipes would provide against allergens compared to any other non-antibacterial wipes or just a cloth with water. I know bleach is recommended for allergies to mold and fungii because they are killed by bleach. Antibacterials would kill germs in the dog's saliva, but I'm not sure if they would do anything against allergens like dander. So, you may want to find out from the allergist why they recommend using Bleach.

 

[lunapnp]

Not trying to cause a riot...but I don't think it would be the dog handler's responsibility to wipe down seats. If my daughter's service dog did drool on any surface, I would wipe it just for sanitary reasons...not allergy reasons. If your child has an allergy, then it should be your responsibility to wipe down seats, etc., before you put your child in it. I'm sure you do that. But, so many people are allergic to so many different things, we would all literally need to go around with wipes and wipe down everything we come in contact with...thinking that there is a possibility that the person that comes along behind us is allergic to what we had. It could be dog saliva, perfume, food, cigarette smoke, etc., etc. I do understand your point...but I think it's a bit unrealistic. I have a daughter that is allergic to peanut butter...and I feel that it is my responsibility to hopefully ensure her enviornment to prevent possible reactions.

 

[cnktruitt]

Hiya Luna,

Thanks for your input. Yes, I do wipe down surfaces all the time. My comment was put out because no matter what; the more we clean=the better the odds he won't end up in the er. Also I wouldn't be so....anal (hate that word!) if DS wasn't so allergic. Yes, full blown anaphylactic probably just like your DD. And if someone can help with a quick once over before I get there....just think how the odds drop for a reaction. I know you understand but unfortunately many, many people do not.

(I'm ducking)

 

[dclfun]

Many people who use a SD do not have the physical capability to wipe down a surface. Not everyone has the upper body strength/mobility or even the use of their hands to perform this task. Many dogs do not drool- I know my lab only drools if she is nervous which is seldom. Hopefully it would be a rare circumstance for a person allergic to dog saliva to come in contact with it at WDW or on a plane. It would most likely be on the ground vs. on another surface, thankfully! As to the poster who mentioned about bulkhead seats on the airline or first class, remember that first class is an extra charge- those of us with SD's cannot ask for first class to accommodate our SD's unless we want to pay for the upgrade. I've flown in a bulkhead seat before with my SD where the area was still quite cramped, and one time where the airline actually gave me the seat next to mine in which to place my heavy ventilator. I was very lucky to not be on a full flight that time as it was travelling all the way from LAX to Orlando! The SD is expected to lay quietly in front of the guest which means curling up into a tight ball if it's a larger dog. The airline cannot charge you for a seat as a dog isn't allowed ON a seat.
At WDW in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities there will be a list of service dog backstage break areas for your dog's relief and you will be expected to use them vs. allowing your dog to toilet anywhere in a guest area. Allow for plenty of time as a CM must accompany you when you're backstage. I bring my own bowl for water but CM's at Disney are very good about offering water. Your dog must be on a leash or in a harness at all times, and under control. In the above noted Guidebook there will also be a list of attractions where a SD is/isn't permitted and you are able to do a swap as they cannot watch your dog for you.
Travel is always more challenging with a SD and in the theme parks you'll have to pace yourself so as not to tire your dog, but it is certainly doable and Disney makes things as easy as possible for access. We visit the parks often and I've never had any challenges that were directly related to my being accompanied by my SD. Good luck!---Kathy

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I've never heard of an allergy to animal saliva! Guess there's probably at least one person in the world with an allergy to cover just about every thing in the world, most probably just don't know it. I for instance could be allergic to Great White sharks but as I've never met one, I wouldn't know lol. Ok I know it was a lame joke but that's my specialty. I do have to agree with a PP that wiping up puppy drool every time our SD drools would be a little hard, if he hears the name of any fruit or veggie, the word "treat" or the phrase "look what I got" it's like flipping the drool switch. That's not to say we'd ever leave a giant puddle if we could help it, but obviously if it's say..on the sidewalk I'm not going to find a hose to clean it. Same with other allergies I suppose... I'm not going to stop wearing perfume, or wool, or not eat my peanuts, on the chance that someone after me may happen to be allergic to it. If that person were next to me on a plane for instance I'd do what I can but I agree that ultimately it does come down to the person with the allergy or whoever is responsible for said person to do whatever cleaning or preparation that may be needed. I guess the way to think about it could be imagine how many people pick their nose, cough on their hands, scratch their butt, then put their hands on railings, handles, and everything else. There's just no way to avoid certain things. It's illogical to think that everyone who has a service animal is going to carry those wipes on the off chance your child or someone else with that type of allergy will sit down after. Even with the more common allergy of animal dander we wouldn't be able to completely rid where our dog sat on the plane for instance of that. Not trying to start anything, just my 2 cents.

 

[cnktruitt]

LOL! Love your sense of humor Lock! Just wish the rest of the world had one. My very timid request was that people try to remember others concerns. For those who cannot wipe down an area...then don't.But if possible just help out because whether said or not; lots and lots of people have allergies (to great white sharks and blue-ribboned toed whirlygigs~maybe there is one) but very many, many more to the lovable furry pups with deep, soul-searching eyes. And lets face it......most dogs drool and sneeze (poor things!) just like us humans. And I would hope as someone else stated that they would pick up after SD if they saw wet drops as a curtosy anyway.I clean, yes I do......But please (if possible) clean up after your pooch too.

And I'm again reminding everyone that I LOVE DOGS & SDs are awesome I think! My special needs son would love one too! And yes he would have an SD too if his body allowed him too

 

[jsilvers]

From my knowledge (as a former puppy raiser for guide dogs), yes, they WILL go on a plane with you. Not can- WILL. They are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so any airline that denies your dog entry onto the flight is breaking the law. What you will want to do is specifically ask for the bulk head or first class, so there's more room for the dog in front of you.

A couple of important points:

• For air travel, the Air Carrier Access Act applies, not the ADA. This matters, because the requirements are similar but not identical. An overview of ACAA-based requirements for passengers with disabilities can be found at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm.
• Although you could ask to be seated in first class, don't expect to get it. An airline is only obligated to offer the most accommodating seats that are available in the class in which travel was booked (which for coach usually will be the bulkhead row, but may not be - i.e., if other passengers with qualifying disabilities are already assigned seats in the bulkhead row).

 

[dclfun]

A couple of important points:

• For air travel, the Air Carrier Access Act applies, not the ADA. This matters, because the requirements are similar but not identical. An overview of ACAA-based requirements for passengers with disabilities can be found at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm.
• Although you could ask to be seated in first class, don't expect to get it. An airline is only obligated to offer the most accommodating seats that are available in the class in which travel was booked (which for coach usually will be the bulkhead row, but may not be - i.e., if other passengers with qualifying disabilities are already assigned seats in the bulkhead row).

Yes, you will not get first class unless you pay for it. Some airlines no longer even offer first class. It's also correct that you may not even get bulkhead as other guests with disabilities may have put in the request before you, or another flight may have been cancelled and those guests put on your flight with a priority to them for seating ( and have disabled guests that your airline didn't plan on accommodating). I've been prepared for various scenarios when I fly and spend time on the phone with a res agent to be sure my requests are at least noted and that I've supplied them with any information they need, a Dr. note regarding my ventilator, etc. So far I've flown with SW, TED( the value branch of United), and Delta and not had a problem at all, but on my flight from LAS to MCO we were packed like sardines, there was a flight delay ( no way to get to a break area for a long time for my SD unless it was concrete), and the leg room even in bulkhead with my SD and other medical equipment was really tight. I was so relieved when we touched down in Orlando and I had my w/c on turbo with my SD sprinting to some grass!---Kathy

 

[sorul82?]

I've never heard of an allergy to animal saliva!

Really? You've never heard of people having pet dander allergies? You do know that animal saliva and urine contain dander, right?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

No I've never heard of an animal saliva allergy... and I thought dander was like, skin flakes. I can see dander being in saliva after the animal grooms itself but that hadn't occurred to me at first..

 

[christymarie]

What do you do with the dog if you want to go on the ride?

Does any one have a diabetes service dog?

I didn't see where anyone answered your question. If you are going on a ride that the dog is not able to go on you can do a swap. Someone in your party can hold the dog while you ride, then you can hold the dog while they ride. It's easy to do and you just have to ask the CM at the entrance where they would like you to wait. CMs are not able to hold the dog for you.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Last post is correct in CM's can't hold the dog for you, but we were told that if you want everyone to ride together at an attraction the dog isn't allowed on, a manager can be called and would be able to watch the dog for you. We never took advantage of this, but something to ask about and keep in mind if you're interested.

 

[SueM in MN]

Last post is correct in CM's can't hold the dog for you, but we were told that if you want everyone to ride together at an attraction the dog isn't allowed on, a manager can be called and would be able to watch the dog for you. We never took advantage of this, but something to ask about and keep in mind if you're interested.

Even though they may do it, I would not count on it. There is no requirement under the ADA for any business to provide any 'care' or 'supervision' for your dog (the handler is responsible for the dog at all times.) If they do it, they would be doing it strictly as a courtesy, not an accommodation. And that (because of space or time, for example) even if they do agree to provide it, it may not be available.

 

[syko]

My DD wanted to go into the petting farm, but my SD can't, so a manager was called and a CM took my daughter in for me.
I did not ask for this, I told her they she would have to do it a different day when we had daddy with us, but the CM's where having non of that!!!!

 

[sorul82?]

No I've never heard of an animal saliva allergy... and I thought dander was like, skin flakes. I can see dander being in saliva after the animal grooms itself but that hadn't occurred to me at first..

It is also in their urine.