Vent...Service Dogs Really???

[indygirl99]

The problem for me is the fake (poorly behaved, poorly groomed, barking, etc) cause issues for the real service dogs. We just turned in our 8th service dog in training. Its a LOT of work. A service dog should be unseen and unheard. My favorite comments are usually as we depart a restaurant "I didn't know there was a dog in here!" I actually video taped a service dog in Disneyland, as it walked in front of me, eating popcorn off the ground, putting its head in other peoples bags, sniffing people.... It was horrifying to me, as a trainer.

Now, this is one of my favorite videos. This is what a service dog team is about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=magjis3d2Ko

Malcon I have to say thank you for what you do with these dogs and their training. It makes a HUGE difference for the people who have your dogs.

In Portland Or each year as part of the Rose Festival they bring in the huge battleships and destroyers. Last year as I was waiting in line to get on I turned around and saw a lab sitting a few feet from me who lifted his paw to "shake hands" when he got my attention. I swear he smiled at me.

I noticed a sign on his vest that said "ask my mom about me". So I did. And to see her face transform as we talked was amazing. She has the dog to help her be more social. She was in the Army and was a prisoner in Afganastan for over a year. She uses the dog to help her get out of the house and interact with people. We talked for about an hour waiting to get on to tour the ship and there were others who came up to see the dog and ended up in the conversation.

She had a backpack with her and one of the rules to get on the ship was no purses, backpacks, etc. I could see she was getting nervous and offered to wait right there with her backpack and give up my turn until she returned. I was slightly surprised when she agreed and even more surprised when she returned and told me she had never left her pack with anyone since she got back to the states. She gave all the credit to the dog helping break the ice and get her talking and (her word) acting normal.

Again thank you for the work you do with these dogs in fostering and training them and then willing letting them go to their new family.

 

[bethwc101]

OK I HAVE to ask. Why would someone fake a service dog? Do they just want their pooch with them at DL? I don't get it. If they are looking for handicapped advantages, why not get a wheelchair or something, why a dog? What would be the advantage of fradulently having a service animal (of course this is in reference to, if they are really faking it)?

My aunt tried it. She LOVES her chiuaua and is so attached with it she can hardly go to the bathroom without it. When we went to Disneyland our family told her to leave it at home with the house-sitter and she wouldn't. So she spent an hour or so arguing that her dog was a service dog that didn't have any special paperwork or the sign. She said her dog was for her emotional needs and was not a safety hazzard. While the dog has bit several children and even tried to bite the CM she was arguing with. She ended up not being allowed in and didnt come in the park once the whole trip. Honestly, if they are acting wild or don't seem legitimate or dont have any paperwork or license I would not let some of these "service dogs" in. I know people will disagree with me and get mad at me but hey, its my opinion and I have seen it first hand.

 

[lisachrystine]

The problem for me is the fake (poorly behaved, poorly groomed, barking, etc) cause issues for the real service dogs. We just turned in our 8th service dog in training. Its a LOT of work. A service dog should be unseen and unheard. My favorite comments are usually as we depart a restaurant "I didn't know there was a dog in here!" I actually video taped a service dog in Disneyland, as it walked in front of me, eating popcorn off the ground, putting its head in other peoples bags, sniffing people.... It was horrifying to me, as a trainer.

Now, this is one of my favorite videos. This is what a service dog team is about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=magjis3d2Ko

This video made me tear up. Thank you for the work you (and other puppy raisers) do. My dog has a CGC Certification (Canine Good Citizen) and was trained for therapy work (which we never ended up persuing). That was hard enough, I can't imagine the intense training that goes into puppy raising.

 

[CheshireGato]

OK I HAVE to ask. Why would someone fake a service dog? Do they just want their pooch with them at DL? I don't get it. If they are looking for handicapped advantages, why not get a wheelchair or something, why a dog? What would be the advantage of fradulently having a service animal (of course this is in reference to, if they are really faking it)?

I have met 2 people who have admitted (rather openly) to faking to getting a service dog with no disability/reason. Both of these people pretty much bragged to me how easy it was to get the ok from their doctors. These two people, by the way, don't know each other. It makes me sick!

One of my coworkers trains service dogs, and the one with her during the year gets their own picture in the yearbook on the staff page! She also holds trainings for others who are with their service dogs in our library after school once a month. Her dogs are quiet, calm, and know how to blend in with the scenery. I remember once having a meeting in her room and forgot about her dog until it sneezed under the desk!

I thank all the service dog trainers out there for everything they do, and these "fakers" give service dogs a horrible name and image. I hope this trend changes and doctors crack down on handing out the privilege.

 

[sonnyjane]

This video made me tear up. Thank you for the work you (and other puppy raisers) do. My dog has a CGC Certification (Canine Good Citizen) and was trained for therapy work (which we never ended up persuing). That was hard enough, I can't imagine the intense training that goes into puppy raising.

BAWLING at that video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JessB320]

OK, hope I don't get flamed or offend anyone but was at Disneyland last week and saw 3 questionable "service dogs". Two together with a couple and one with another visitor.

I know a thing or 2 about dogs since I train dogs on the side and have 4 in my own pack. I also have a friend who fosters service dogs in training while they are puppies for the visually impaired. I know the high standards of behavior they have to maintain and how hard they work. I also know that service dogs come in all shapes and sizes for more than just seeing eye dogs and more breeds than just retrievers.

No way these were service dogs. They had home made signs on the 2. One was breed I know is not a service dog plus he was not in good enough shape to be an aid to anyone. The third one had no manners or behaviors as a service dog as well. Barked all the way through the parade. All three dogs we not young enough to be "in-training".

I saw this once at WDW too when a lady tried to convince a cast member that her poodle in her hand bag was a service dog.

Just appalled that people would do this and cast doubt on legitimate hard working service dogs that are so essential.

I apologize in advance if I am mistaken.

You will get no flames from me, as someone who was a vet tech for over 10 years I saw it all. There were people who would openly admit to claiming their ill behaved little fur monsters as service animals at places. Drove me batty!! They thought it was funny to lie and get away with it. Yes its not fair and yes it gives actual service dogs a bad name . You just have to bite your tongue, lame I know .

 

[Malcon10t]

Malcon I have to say thank you for what you do with these dogs and their training. It makes a HUGE difference for the people who have your dogs.<snip>
Again thank you for the work you do with these dogs in fostering and training them and then willing letting them go to their new family.

It is so hard. We are missing the baby right now. She returned last weekend. But we have seen the change the dogs make in others lives. Our first pup is with a woman with CP. Without the dog, she couldn't stay home alone. If she drops things, the dog returns them to her. The dog helps her dress and can retrieve anything she needs. The dog will stand still so she can use the dog to balance.

Dog 2 works in an elderly care center. He is just a big love.
Dog 3 chose to leave service work, and is a greeter for a boutique hotel in Sonoma.
Dog 4 works in an orthopedically challenged school assisting kids with major issues (like major burns) learn to move. A kid in pain hates to move body parts, but will move that arm to brush the dog...

Dog 5 works with a woman who is a parapalegic. He pulls her wheelchair, helps her transfer from her WC to regular chairs/beds, picks up everything, etc...

Dog 6 is a hearing dog for a woman in Northern CA.

Dog 7... Well, dog 7 had a trauma at Disneyland when she was 15 mos old. A small child (about 2) grabbed her with both hands and no one could get him to release the dog. The dad finally grabbed him by the hair and pulled until he released her. Pup was yelping and we were trying to separate them. We grabbed the pup and ran as soon as the kid released, got her safe, and while there were no visible signs of injury, she had a major fear of small children from that, and was disqualified (she now lives with us.) This also is a reason why dogs who are untrained, or poorly trained shouldn't head into these situations. Other dogs would have bitten.

This video made me tear up. Thank you for the work you (and other puppy raisers) do. My dog has a CGC Certification (Canine Good Citizen) and was trained for therapy work (which we never ended up persuing). That was hard enough, I can't imagine the intense training that goes into puppy raising.

By the time we return them, they have 30+ commands, and are pretty much "bomb" proof. People don't realize we don't just walk them into Disneyland and they behave. Our first trip into the park at 5-6 mos will usually consist of 15 mins, and introduction to Main St., seeing the horses from a distance, seeing a face character, seeing Mickey or Pluto from a distance, and we head out and are done.... It may be 6-8 visits before the dog is ready to spend more than 4-5 hours in the park. I equate taking a dog to the park with taking a 2yo. You move at their pace, do what is best for them, you are prepared to leave at a moments notice, and you have all sort of equipment ready for anything that may happen (booties, bowls for water, blankets, a toy, first aid kit (you wouldn't believe what can happen to a dog in the park!) and all sorts of things. We have 1 backpack FOR THE DOG!

It's not easy, but it is so worth it!

 

[Malcon10t]

BAWLING at that video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that video, cry everytime, and I know them! Ilia was the best thing ever for Cole, and it is why my daughter and I can do this. Everyone asks "How can you give them up???" Because someone like Cole NEEDS them.

 

[sonnyjane]

I love that video, cry everytime, and I know them! Ilia was the best thing ever for Cole, and it is why my daughter and I can do this. Everyone asks "How can you give them up???" Because someone like Cole NEEDS them.

That's so great, seriously. I've always been the type of person to be deeply affected by animals. I have human friends that come and go and I don't think much of it, but the animals in my life I always, always remember!

 

[aleighc1]

I was recently in a store where two "service dogs" got into a fight. They bit each other hard enough to draw blood, and the smaller one then ran through the store peeing all over the carpet. I heard the fight break out (and all the people screaming) before I saw it and knew what was going on, and the sound of it was enough to scare the heck out of me. I would feel pretty dang confident in betting that neither of these dogs were true service animals. If they were service animals, then we need stricter rules about what qualifies as a service dog. I understand that service animals can provide help for unseen ailments (dogs are such amazing creatures in what they can detect and sense!!), so I would never ask someone about the legitimacy of their animals, but you can bet I was pretty dang ticked at these people who brought these supposed service dogs into the store. I can understand the OP's frustration at what sounds like somewhat disruptive "service dogs" and questioning if they were legitimate. Are people required to carry paperwork that shows the dog is certified as a service animal? (People don't need to disclose what the dog does, just the fact that the dog is certified)

 

[sgrap]

My SIL bought a fake "service dog" vest for her nasty little dog (the dog has gone after everyone in the family, even when we weren't trying to have anything to do with him) and takes him everywhere. He is not a trained service dog, but she just wants to take him with her, including to places like the fair, the rodeo, etc. where there are lots of people. Scares me to death that he is going to bite someone, especially some poor unsuspecting little kid who goes in to pet him. Thankfully we live far away from DL and they've never been, but I wouldn't put it past her to take him if they went. She brags about getting this service dog vest online. I feel like it is almost as bad as taking a handicapped parking space when you don't have a handicapped parking pass.

 

[DizMe]

I love dogs, but I am also afraid of them! I don't like the idea of people being able to bring in untrained dogs to a place like Disneyland. That must be frightening and confusing to a poor dog that isn't used to it. I think it's a potential hazard as well. I've had 2 of my children bitten pretty badly by "friendly" dogs that "had never done anything like that before." The fact is that a lot of dogs are unsure around children, crowds, noise, lights, etc and are quite capable of biting in such a situation if they aren't conditioned to it. Disneyland has ALL of those things.

In a crowded, confined place like DL, it just isn't safe to assume someone's family pet is ok. Many otherwise wonderful dogs can become frightened and/or aggressive in that kind of scenario.

I think service dogs are absolutely wonderful. I think people trying to cheat their pet into the parks by falsely claiming them as service animals are selfish and ignorant.

 

[Malroy]

I have met 2 people who have admitted (rather openly) to faking to getting a service dog with no disability/reason. Both of these people pretty much bragged to me how easy it was to get the ok from their doctors. These two people, by the way, don't know each other. It makes me sick!

One of my coworkers trains service dogs, and the one with her during the year gets their own picture in the yearbook on the staff page! She also holds trainings for others who are with their service dogs in our library after school once a month. Her dogs are quiet, calm, and know how to blend in with the scenery. I remember once having a meeting in her room and forgot about her dog until it sneezed under the desk!

I thank all the service dog trainers out there for everything they do, and these "fakers" give service dogs a horrible name and image. I hope this trend changes and doctors crack down on handing out the privilege.

We had a neighbor in the past who has a service dog (I'm not sure what for, and I was not nosy enough to ask), and when I was complaining to her that our rental didn't allow cats, she told me that we should get a service cat or my boyfriend who is a type 1 diabetic, that way landlords could not refuse us for having a cat. I know that service animals for diabetics are not uncommon, but he doesn't feel as though he needs one, and I personally can't imagine a cat being very effective at alerting him to blood sugar issues.

I was appalled that she would basically tell us to "work the system" by getting a 'service cat' so that landlords couldn't refuse us having it. Needless to say, we still don't have a cat, and are patiently waiting until this spring when we are FINALLY moving into a rental that allows pets. So we can have just that. A PET! to leave at home when we go on vacation lol

 

[Casemily]

I recently assisted a lady in a wheelchair who had a "service animal". The dog appeared to be an old chocolate lab, and it was on a long leash and kept wandering right in front of the wheelchair. It took 5 minutes to go about 10 feet. She told me at one point to go ahead and run him over because he'd move then. He did not head ANY commands. Ridiculous! Felt bad for the dog and the people who had to sit with them on the plane.

 

[cats mom]

I can understand the OP's frustration at what sounds like somewhat disruptive "service dogs" and questioning if they were legitimate. Are people required to carry paperwork that shows the dog is certified as a service animal? (People don't need to disclose what the dog does, just the fact that the dog is certified)

Nope, under ADA you can only ask:

(1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
(2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You can't ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task, and you can't ask for any special identification or training documentation. While most service dogs do wear identifying vests, that's actually not required either.


We've always taught our kids that when service dogs are out in public they're working so they're not to be distracted in any way.

Then at DL recently we witnessed a couple letting anyone passing by pet and play with their dog. Everyone, the dog included, looked to be having a great time. But I had a tough time explaining that one and have to admit I was wondering what work or task the dog was supposed to be performing. I also wonder how many of those kids will go up to other service dogs in the future wanting to pet and play with them.

 

[wilkeliza]

Then at DL recently we witnessed a couple letting anyone passing by pet and play with their dog. Everyone, the dog included, looked to be having a great time. But I had a tough time explaining that one and have to admit I was wondering what work or task the dog was supposed to be performing. I also wonder how many of those kids will go up to other service dogs in the future wanting to pet and play with them.

Some people like to let their service dog be more relax in some situation and there are also some dogs whose job is to be social. While I worked at WDW we had a wonderful family whose son had this amazing service dog. He was basically a social bridge for their autistic son. He was also wheel chair bound so the dog did do things like open doors and provide support when the boy needed to transfer and such but his foremost job was to make it where people wanted to approach and speak to him. So the family was always surround by people petting the dog because while you were petting him you typically would talk to their son who loved to tell people about his special dog.

 

[aleighc1]

Nope, under ADA you can only ask:

(1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
(2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You can't ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task, and you can't ask for any special identification or training documentation. While most service dogs do wear identifying vests, that's actually not required either.


We've always taught our kids that when service dogs are out in public they're working so they're not to be distracted in any way.

Then at DL recently we witnessed a couple letting anyone passing by pet and play with their dog. Everyone, the dog included, looked to be having a great time. But I had a tough time explaining that one and have to admit I was wondering what work or task the dog was supposed to be performing. I also wonder how many of those kids will go up to other service dogs in the future wanting to pet and play with them.

Sorry, should have said they don't need to disclose what disability they have to warrant their needing a service dog. (not what the dog does...... I didn't mean to imply the dog needs to demonstrate their work) Having said that, I do think people should be required to show simple certification that the dog is a trained and certified service animal (no need to disclose what services they perform)........ just as I have to carry a card that shows I am a licensed driver. People with disabilities deserve to keep their medical issues private, but the public also deserves to be kept safe from fake service animals who are paraded around because their owners bought a vest off the internet.

 

[dominiondad]

I personal;y know of two families who have "fake" service dogs. One did it so they could bring the dog to work. The other did it so the could take their dog on vacations (they liked to rent houses and would just show up with the dog claiming it was a service dog). Neither family need a service dog nor did their dogs receive any specialized training. I'm not saying that any of the dogs mentioned by the OP weren't legit, just pointing out that it does happen.

 

[Aspoonfullofsugar]

I have a friend who breeds and shows dogs. She is also a diabetic. Twice in a row one of her dogs really began to paw at her, poke her with his nose, and would not stop. In both of those cases her blood sugar level had changed drastically. She began to use him as a service dog and he has been remarkably accurate. I should, however, point out that he had already passed his Canine Good Citizen, was a certified therapy dog, and the two of them would visit hospitals and nursing homes so he was already very well trained. She has several dogs she that are also certified therapy dogs but this is the only one who seems to have the ability to detect when her blood sugar is off.

I wonder if sometimes some dogs are found to be able to alert to a condition but no one has bothered, or even knew how, to get them trained to behave properly? Maybe a minimum of a Canine Good Citizen certificate should be required of all service and alert dogs. Although that's probably a discussion for another board.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Wow this is really crazy to me. My daughter is highly allergic to some breeds of dogs. Mostly long haired dogs like the big Australian Shepard's. She has an epi pen. I guess I am going to have to ask if there has been a service dog in the hotels we are staying at and any booth like places in Disneyland! I never thought about it. Just because a place is pet free doesn't mean it is anymore! I have heard people admit that they lie about there dog being a service dog so that they can bring it where they like.