Service Dogs

[rpb718]

How do service dogs handle the various rides? They can't exclude them from rides, can they?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

How do service dogs handle the various rides? They can't exclude them from rides, can they?

At attractions that can't safely accommodate the animal, the animal can be contained in a portable kennel while its person is experiencing the attraction.

Edit - If the disabled person is with other people, rider swap can also be utilized in some instances so that one or more members of the party stays with the animal outside the attraction.

 

[Spork24]

I rode on POTC on the row behind a service dog in training. He did great, and I enjoyed getting to watch the training. It was a relatively slow day.

 

[rpb718]

At attractions that can't safely accommodate the animal, the animal can be contained in a portable kennel while its person is experiencing the attraction.

Edit - If the disabled person is with other people, rider swap can also be utilized in some instances so that one or more members of the party stays with the animal outside the attraction.

That's actually pretty interesting. I was thinking with the types of animals used to detect medical issues that they might need to be on the ride - but it depended on the type of ride. So Small World and several others I can see a service animal not having issues with.

Do they need a FP+, or in this case Fast Paws+?

 

[SueM in MN]

no ADA allows as her service dog that was a lot of the complaints. she clipped the dog in summer because of the heat

Whether the dog is allowed under the ADA would depend on what she is doing and whether she handles food.

Wow,thanks,I would have thought Health concerns would trump just about anything in a food environment.

You are correct. Whether the person can bring their Service Dog with them into their actual work area depends on what the worker is doing and what protective attire is required.

I think the PP knew that for a patron but someone reported that they work in the deli of their local grocery store with a service dog. I have to admit I don't know how I feel about a service dog in a food prep location. It isn't about how well behaved they are or anything but animals shed and if the person preparing the food has to wear a heir net to prevent hair from getting into food how do you prevent the dog's fur from getting into the food as well?

Someone who works in food service in an area that actually involves food handling requires special handling (hand hygiene, hairnets, etc.). In those areas the worker could not have their dog in the food prep/food handling area. (The worker and employee could possibly come up with a reasonable accommodation that allows the fog to be nearby, but not in the actual food area.

This is part of the FDA Food Code, which applies in all places in the US that prepare or handle food.

Special rule for service animals: FDA Food Code Section 2-403.11 prohibits handling of animals, but allows employees to use service animals. Section 6- 501.115 states that service animals may be permitted in areas not used for food preparation. Employees may handle their service animals if, after handling a service animal, the employee washes his hands for at least 20 seconds using soap, water, and vigorous friction on surfaces of the hands, followed by rinsing and drying as per Section 2-301.12.

Quoted from this document:
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/restaurant_guide.html

 

[SueM in MN]

How do service dogs handle the various rides? They can't exclude them from rides, can they?

WDW excludes Service Dogs from these attractions:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Barnstormer
• Space Mountain

Epcot

• Mission: SPACE
• Test Track
• Soarin’
• Sum of All Thrills

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

• Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
• Primeval Whirl
• DINOSAUR

At the Affection Section at Rafiki's Planet Watch, they are concerned with the Service Animals tracking germs in or out of the area or upsetting the petting animals.
For the others, there is no restraint to keep the dog safely in place in the ride vehicle.

WDW asks guests with Service Dogs to check with a CM before going on these attractions:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Stitch’s Great Escape

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth
• Innoventions – Certain Attractions
• Captain EO

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Great Movie Ride
• Toy Story Midway Mania!

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

• It’s Tough To Be A Bug!
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• The aviary area of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
• The aviary area of Maharajah Jungle Trail

Some dogs might have trouble with those attractions and others not. Many of them have things that might surprise or upset the dog. For example, the aviaries might not be a good choice for dogs that have a strong instinct to hunt birds.

 

[Accident]

I've always seen an increase in special needs groups that come in september. When I was there first week, I only saw a couple dogs that were obviously being trained for how to get someone around disney.

 

[Accident]

At some point, Disney will probably have to implement designated "relief" areas for dogs!

Check the maps, they already have them.

 

[wilkeliza]

@SueM in MN thanks for the information! You are the best at providing information and not being upset about those of us who want to know more but get lost reading the complex law that is the ADA.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Service animals aren't considered the same as humans. They are tools for the use of a disabled person. The law anticipates that a disabled person should have as much access with a dog (a living tool) as they would with a cane, walker, wheelchair, etc.

I remember on the boards, somebody wanted to bring a small service dog held in a sling on Soarin. The answer was no. So for someone who could not be away from their dog for the time it took to ride the attraction, they would just have to skip those attractions.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've worked in a deli. There's not a lot of food prep going on. (As in none. Food scooping and handing over, but not being actually made) So that might be the difference, also in how "preparation" is defined. Also the pp didn't say where exactly the dog was in relation to the employee.

As for treated as human, that's how it has been described to me many times over the years by those who know. Especially when it comes to housing and banned dog breeds being used as service dogs. They aren't a dog, they are treated as another human, and have to be a proven problem before action can be taken. (Alas in the case of the reason I started learning about it in 2004 despite it being a documented problem for over two years, and the dog, then dogs, never being with the woman with the issue (and the woman had been in apt management and knew the rules), they never took action...so we moved out instead)

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Legally, the dog is NOT considered a human. It does not have the rights a human would have. Any legal action would be regarding the right of the disabled person to make use of the animal and keep it with them, not about the animal's rights. Possibly regarding the standard of behavior required, it could be compared to human behavior - if the animal doesn't misbehave or cause a disruption, as long as the handler doesn't lose control of it, it stays. But that means the owner has the right to keep the dog, not that the dog has rights. It's legally considered to be property.

There are some states that do allow regulation for housing regarding emotional support animals - such as breed regulations, number or size of animals permitted. However, emotional support animals are not covered by ADA. Service animals must be accepted everywhere - a service animal can be removed only if the owner can't control it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've worked in a deli. There's not a lot of food prep going on. (As in none. Food scooping and handing over, but not being actually made) So that might be the difference, also in how "preparation" is defined. Also the pp didn't say where exactly the dog was in relation to the employee.

As for treated as human, that's how it has been described to me many times over the years by those who know. Especially when it comes to housing and banned dog breeds being used as service dogs. They aren't a dog, they are treated as another human, and have to be a proven problem before action can be taken. (Alas in the case of the reason I started learning about it in 2004 despite it being a documented problem for over two years, and the dog, then dogs, never being with the woman with the issue (and the woman had been in apt management and knew the rules), they never took action...so we moved out instead)

If you are handling food in any way (scooping, placing into a container or bag) that is considered food handling, even if the food is already prepared.
The dog can not be in an area where food handling is occurring.
The food code is very clear about food handling - it is not just preparation.

The OP did not say what the employee was exactly doing, but I posted the information about what is/is not allowed.
A good rule of thumb is that if the human worker needs to wear gloves, hair covering or any do special hand hygiene, the dog could not be in the area.
It's possible the person in question worked as a cashier in the deli and did not handle food at all. If the worker is in an area where hairnets, gloves or hand hygiene are required, the dog could be there.

As for the dog being treated as a human, a poster after you answered that. The ADA treats the Service Dog as any other assistive device. For example, a wheelchair doesn't have any rights to go anywhere. A person with needs that require a wheelchair has the right to have the wheelchair with them.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Sue she had the dog at her feet while she was weighing and packaging deli meats and cheeses. she was not touching dog it just followed her as she moved in the area or as she walked thru the store. the dog was trained to get help when she needed esp when she was working by herself in that area

 

[kmb584]

There were two large poodles or poodle mixes with the family we saw on Saturday. One for sure had a service vest on, but I don't think all of the dogs had the vests on. Maybe if they are just being trained, they don't wear them, and they do wear them if they are already qualified? They were very well behaved in the 15 minutes we watched them.

On our last two trips (November '14 and June '15) we also saw a family with two standard poodles, both times at DHS. I've often wondered if that family is local.

 

[SparklePixie]

I've worked in a deli. There's not a lot of food prep going on. (As in none. Food scooping and handing over, but not being actually made) So that might be the difference, also in how "preparation" is defined. Also the pp didn't say where exactly the dog was in relation to the employee.

As for treated as human, that's how it has been described to me many times over the years by those who know. Especially when it comes to housing and banned dog breeds being used as service dogs. They aren't a dog, they are treated as another human, and have to be a proven problem before action can be taken. (Alas in the case of the reason I started learning about it in 2004 despite it being a documented problem for over two years, and the dog, then dogs, never being with the woman with the issue (and the woman had been in apt management and knew the rules), they never took action...so we moved out instead)

My husband used to work in a deli and many things were made fresh daily, at the deli.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue she had the dog at her feet while she was weighing and packaging deli meats and cheeses. she was not touching dog it just followed her as she moved in the area or as she walked thru the store. the dog was trained to get help when she needed esp when she was working by herself in that area

that would be considered a food handling position. It would require a hair net for the worker, so the dog really should not have been in that area. At her feet would be in the area.
I'm surprised the Health Department did not cite the store for that (or maybe they have not had a survey recently or she was not working ).

 

[Jarmo]

The Service Dog "restrooms" started appearing onstage in 2012-before that it's my understanding there were backstage areas available.

I think you are mixed up... Clearly this sign is for Service People and their disabled dogs. Just look at that dog's awful spine injury.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Unless they are eliminating in walking areas and aren't being cleaned up after, or are barking loudly, who cares?

Edit: Maybe people with a fear of dogs... but that can't be a big percentage of people.

 

[BarbieGal457]

We saw a few service dogs this past June, including one with a CM. They were such sweet dogs! One was sitting with his owner next to his wheelchair on the bridge by Splash Mountain and he even had on a golden retriever-sized Ear Hat that was lime green in color and had the elastic under the chin! We stopped to chat with the man and he was so nice and said people always ask to take photos of his dog because he was so cute in his ear hat. I felt embarrassed to ask but he was so nice and now I wish I had gotten a photo.

All of the service dogs we saw were so well behaved you barely noticed them. We did also see a standard poodle at one of the parks and it was quite funny as it was behind a fence with its owner and all you saw was a poodle head! We particularly loved the doggy "restrooms."