Can you really bring your dog to a park?

[armyfamilyof5]

We were at Epcot today and leaving Les Chef's Des France after a great lunch, this was about 1 pm. A woman had just checked in at the podium, as we walked by her we saw her leaning down and opening a small suitcase type bag which her small (less than 10 pounds) dog jumped into (happily) and she zipped it in with only the dogs head exposed. Under what circumstances can you bring your dog to the park? I would understand if this was a service dog but it didn't appear to be a service dog at all.

 

[InLikeFlynn]

It probably was a service dog. I saw a teeny tiny one riding around on the lap of a lady on a scooter last fall. I've also seen puppies that I can only imagine were undergoing training.

 

[CP_alum08]

I've only ever seen large dogs in the park as service animals. I have absolutely no experience with service animals so forgive me, but isn't the point of the animal to be able to 'service'? What service could one of the little dogs provide? other than companionship i suppose.

 

[Monty]

There are certain cases where anxiety can be managed by the presence of a service animal. If the individual has a medical requirement for it, the animal would be allowed into the parks.

A family pet would not be allowed.

 

[armyfamilyof5]

This little guy was obviously well trained, we have a lovely 6 pound Havanese that throws a fit when she's caged at the groomers, I can only imagine if we tried to put her in a suitcase we'd rue the day! I also have only seen large service dogs but I guess if Disney allowed all dogs then the parks would just...dare I say it?...go to the dogs, hehehe.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Yes it was very likely a service dog. As Monty said there are certain medical conditions where animals are considered a form of treatment or assistance. I've heard that post traumatic stress disorder can be treated this way.

 

[BigTxEars]

I agree service animal.

http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm


They can be pretty much any animal these days it seems, not just the traditional dog we are use to seeing for the blind.

 

[wilkeliza]

Sadly services animals do not have to registered and you can not force someone to provide proof of medical necessity so people take advantage. If someone says their dog is a service dog it must be allowed. However I guarantee you this dog and lady should have been thrown out. Service dogs are never suppose to be kenneled if they are working. Even if the dog is a anxiety, sleep apnea, depression, PTSD, seizure, etc. dog they should be out of bags and on a leash. If the dog is an anxiety or depression service dog they should be in contact with the person. Typically it is the contact not the presence that helps.

People also have abused the system with their small dogs. Therapy dogs have been called service dogs even though under the law they are not. A therapy dog has been tested for the proper behavior and attitude needed to be around people that may feel better with a pooch to pet or hang out with.Therapy dogs are a pet, service dogs are working dogs and not a pet.

 

[Susan Savia]

If it was a service dog, why is it zipped up in a carrier? Shouldn't it be near her/at her side in case she needed it for something. Sounds like she pulled something over on the security and simply brought her tiny dog in with her.

 

[Monorail Lime]

The parks must be a very dangerous place for a small leashed dog. Perhaps it was in a carrier to protect from being trampled.

 

[happymom52003]

Sadly services animals do not have to registered and you can not force someone to provide proof of medical necessity so people take advantage. If someone says their dog is a service dog it must be allowed.

Yep. I have a friend who moved to Hawaii and did not want his small dog to ride in the baggage compartment for the long flight, so all he had to do was fill out a form saying the dog was a service dog and he was able to take it on the plane with him. :hammer:

 

[wilkeliza]

Yep. I have a friend who moved to Hawaii and did not want his small dog to ride in the baggage compartment for the long flight, so all he had to do was fill out a form saying the dog was a service dog and he was able to take it on the plane with him. :hammer:

I worked for the ASPCA for about a year and I heard numerous stories from the trainers about the abuse of the service dog laws.

I am from the school of thought that there should be a legal licensing group that will give a service dog a card and collar that will show people it is indeed a working service dogs. People who really need service dogs will go that extra mile to get the license and it shouldn't cost anything. It would be as simple as going to a license facility and getting the dog tested for temperament and ability to perform their job.

With seeing eye and hearing dogs as well as seizure dogs these are highly trained dogs. PTSD dogs are becoming more and more trained. PTSD dogs also typically are there to protect their owner in the event of an attack not just prevent one. However the depression/anxiety dogs are just there to be loved on and to me that's not a true service dogs. Depression/anxiety dogs are therapy dogs because they aren't really working dogs. That's just my two sense and I could upset or offend quite a few people but the tiny lap dogs being called service dogs screams abuse of system to me.

 

[BigRedDad]

If it is a service animal, there is nothing WDW can do to prevent. However, doctors should be held liable for writing a medical need for anything as long as money is being thrown around.

I am sure the animal was probably not a true service animal. The lady probably has money and found a doctor, probably in India over the internet, that wrote a note claiming it was a medical necessity.

 

[s8film40]

If it is a service animal, there is nothing WDW can do to prevent. However, doctors should be held liable for writing a medical need for anything as long as money is being thrown around.

I am sure the animal was probably not a true service animal. The lady probably has money and found a doctor, probably in India over the internet, that wrote a note claiming it was a medical necessity.

You don't have to have a doctors note, all you have to do is say its a service animal.

 

[MissM]

You don't have to have a doctors note, all you have to do is say its a service animal.

Yup and you can even buy "service dog" vests on the internet. It's disgusting and insulting to the TRUE hero dogs who actually provide an amazing service to their disabled owners, allowing them freedom and independence.

I find it reprehensible that people lie and take advantage of a well-meaning system just for their own personal, selfish reasons.

 

[Clever Name]

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) takes priority in these matters over all state and local laws. The ADA does not require a service animal to be licensed or certified. There are many different kinds of service animals. A person is only required to state that their animal is a service animal. They do not have to show proof or provide a note from a doctor or discuss the nature of their disability. :wave:

 

[cslafferty]

Something to think about before we jump to the conclusion that this person was abusing the system . . . My daughter has severe bipolar disorder with paranoia. We do not have a service dog, but we do own 2 dogs as pets whose presence calm her when she's feeling anxious/paranoid. We took her to the parks last Aug. for the first time since her diagnosis, and although she was so excited to go (she's been before many times when she was younger), the crowds proved to be too much for her to handle, and unfortunately she spent a great deal of time in our hotel room. That being said, I can see where the presence of a small dog could have great calming effects for someone such as my daughter. If they were going into a restaurant, that wouldn't necessarily be a place that would cause anxiety or panic as walking through a crowded Fantasyland, for example, or waiting in a crowded line full of strangers. I'm just saying, there are MANY disabilities out there, and I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt. After all, what does it reall matter to us, anyway?:wave:

 

[mergatroid]

What was the dog eating :shrug:

 

[MissM]

Just like you need a disabled tag to park in a handicap spot, you should need a "tag" or license for your service dog. If your disability is serious enough that you require a service dog, fine. But just as you don't just let anyone park in a handicap spot because they want to, or because they have problems that day or whatever, you can't just bring your dog wherever you want either just because you want to.

A system for service dogs like handicapped parking wouldn't be anymore in people's business and companies wouldn't need to know the nature of the disability, but would legitimize it. And, if it came with a penalty just like handicapped parking, people would be less likely to abuse the right like do now.

 

[Clever Name]

A system for service dogs like handicapped parking wouldn't be anymore in people's business and companies wouldn't need to know the nature of the disability, but would legitimize it. And, if it came with a penalty just like handicapped parking, people would be less likely to abuse the right like do now.

The use of service animals is already legitimate. Local and state authorities are precluded by federal law from imposing such restrictions. :wave: