Is this really a service dog?

[21stamps]

All living organisms with skin shed skin cells - basic biology. And add to that the protein from saliva, you've got the groundwork for allergens. And those microscopic pieces of skin can easily pass through that mesh screen in a carrier. Do you thoroughly wash your carrier after every usage? Btw, you're also flaking all over the place.

Ok, for sake of argument, let’s pretend that dogs such as Maltese and the like are causing crazy allergic reactions all over the place, especially when contained inside of a carrier.
Why has this not been a big story for decades now?

 

[joejccva71]

Idk, I'm sick of people assuming a dog acting what they don't think is normal for a service dog is automatically a fake service dog. You know what happens when you assume......

Well in case you haven't heard, there are tons of people that fake service dogs so they can get their way in places they normally wouldn't be able to have a dog.

In this case, the Beach Club on the beach where dogs are not allowed because "dogs at the Yacht Club are only allowed to be in dog restricted areas", which is definitely not the beach club. Not to mention that the "dogs in restricted areas" does not get enforced in any way shape or form cause I've had coworkers recently stay at Yacht Club. But that's for another discussion.

The video just reeks of a fake service dog. Why? Because I have seen quite a few service dogs as they are in hospitals ALOT and I work in a major hospital in Massachusetts. I've never seen a service dog act like that. I guess you could say the dog was "off duty" with it's vest on, even though vests aren't required, but in all honesty..if people are going to throw the "it's a service dog, leave me alone" speel in your face, then you don't even need the vest on. Just say "sorry it's a service dog and you can't legally ask me what for". Another reason why it's a head scratcher.

And with alot of people claiming to have service dogs and are fakes, it's very suspicious.

 

[LAKid53]

We had a great (non)service dog incident at work today. One of our handlers was out in the area with his K9 partner doing what he was supposed to be doing. A "service dog" (it says so on his vest) off lead with a mini shock collar was walking with his owner. The dog ran at our handler and attacked his partner. The handler attempted to break them up and got bit several times. Service dog my @$$. Both handler and our K9 have been released from the hospital. #entitled.

So the idiot's "service" animal attacked a LE officer - the dog? That's not gonna go well for either of them. And his pet may pay the price. His dog is lucky, that K-9 could have done some serious damage. My neighbor was in the K-9 unit. His partner was one big Belgian shepherd. Not a dog is mess with.

 

[thomas998]

Fortunately, most people with animal allergies do not have fatal reactions - but they are still made extremely uncomfortable when in close proximity to animals. Do people have to actually die before airlines have a legitimate reason to ban pets (not service animals) in the main cabin?

I've never heard of anyone dying because they were allergic to a dog, but people with asthma can die from an asthma attack that can be triggered by a dog, miniature horse or any number of pets. Unfortunately when someone dies from an asthma attack they don't track down the thing that triggered it and pin the blame on the dust, pollen or dog... they just write it off as asthma. But in the big scheme of things I suspect that with nearly a quarter of a million people in the US dying from asthma that animals triggering asthma attacks are probably responsible for a lot more deaths in a year than you could find in a 50 years from peanuts.

 

[21stamps]

I've never heard of anyone dying because they were allergic to a dog, but people with asthma can die from an asthma attack that can be triggered by a dog, miniature horse or any number of pets. Unfortunately when someone dies from an asthma attack they don't track down the thing that triggered it and pin the blame on the dust, pollen or dog... they just write it off as asthma. But in the big scheme of things I suspect that with nearly a quarter of a million people in the US dying from asthma that animals triggering asthma attacks are probably responsible for a lot more deaths in a year than you could find in a 50 years from peanuts.

That’s not true. The number sounded high so I just looked it up.

Approximately 250,000 people in the entire World die from asthma per year.

Approximately 3,600 people in the U.S. die from asthma per year. I don’t know the percentage from animal related asthma attacks.
Source- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm

I was also curious about food allergies. It looks like around 150 people per year die form all food allergies combined, in the US.
You’re definitely correct about that being less than asthma related deaths.

 

[thomas998]

That’s not true. The number sounded high so I just looked it up.

Approximately 250,000 people in the entire World die from asthma per year.

Approximately 3,600 people in the U.S. die from asthma per year.
Source- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm

I was also curious about food allergies. It looks like around 150 people per year die form all food allergies combined, in the US.
You’re definitely correct about that being less than asthma related deaths.

Your number sound more realistic. The asthma site I saw 250,000 on didn't state whether it was worldwide or just in the US. When you think about it I should have known 250,000 in the US was just way to high.

 

[NormC]

I guess you could say the dog was "off duty" with it's vest on, even though vests aren't required, but in all honesty..if people are going to throw the "it's a service dog, leave me alone" speel in your face, then you don't even need the vest on. Just say "sorry it's a service dog and you can't legally ask me what for". Another reason why it's a head scratcher.

And with alot of people claiming to have service dogs and are fakes, it's very suspicious.

Actually there are two questions you can legally ask: Is this a service dog? What service is it trained to provide? You cannot ask direct medical questions of the owner.
Simple. No answers, no entry. Also if a service animal causes a nuisance the handler and dog can legally be asked to leave. Simple.
Service dogs are allowed to be dogs. It helps them relieve the stresses of being on duty all of the time. They are allowed to play when the handler lets them.

 

[21stamps]

Your number sound more realistic. The asthma site I saw 250,000 on didn't state whether it was worldwide or just in the US. When you think about it I should have known 250,000 in the US was just way to high.

It happens. No worries.
I actually thought it may be a little higher than 3600.. I’m glad it’s not.

 

[joejccva71]

Actually there are two questions you can legally ask: Is this a service dog? What service is it trained to provide? You cannot ask direct medical questions of the owner.
Simple. No answers, no entry. Also if a service animal causes a nuisance the handler and dog can legally be asked to leave. Simple.
Service dogs are allowed to be dogs. It helps them relieve the stresses of being on duty all of the time. They are allowed to play when the handler lets them.

Yea but people can just make up anything Norm. They'll just answer the two questions that are required and since they don't have to provide any kind of certification, paperwork or anything then it's EZ PZ.

I could literally go buy a dog right now, take it to Disney World, walk right in the middle of Magic Kingdom, no vest ..no nothing.

If any CM asks, I'll wait for the two questions and just tell them anything. Once they ask and I tell them they can't do anything about it.

Question 1: Is this service dog for a disability?
Answer: Yes

Question 2: What service is it trained to provide?
Answer: It notifies me of seizures.

If any guest asks me, I'll say "it's a service dog, go away".

Bing, bang, done. It's insane how ridiculous it is. The system needs major changes.

 

[NormC]

I agree. Scammers need to be fined when caught and repeat offenders should lose their animal.

 

[21stamps]

I agree. Scammers need to be fined when caught and repeat offenders should lose their animal.

I agree with this as well.

 

[NormC]

Service dogs are valuable tools for those that need them and I think PTSD is a valid reason as well. I do not believe in emotional support animals. Those are just pets. Isn't that why we all get pets? They make us feel good and we enjoy their company.

 

[21stamps]

Service dogs are valuable tools for those that need them and I think PTSD is a valid reason as well. I do not believe in emotional support animals. Those are just pets. Isn't that why we all get pets? They make us feel good and we enjoy their company.

I do believe in emotional support animals.. but not to the extent they are being used/claimed.
Here’s my 3 wishes-
People should face serious fines/consequences for lying about service dogs.

ESA dogs shouldn’t be allowed access to the all of the same places as the service dogs.

Thirdly, Dogs who are strictly pets shouldn’t suddenly be kicked off of a plane because suddenly some people want to claim severe allergies as a common reaction to carrier confined small dogs.

Wouldn’t be nice if people could just be respectful and all 3 of those things would follow.

 

[correcaminos]

I do believe in emotional support animals.. but not to the extent they are being used/claimed.
Here’s my 3 wishes-
People should face serious fines/consequences for lying about service dogs.

ESA dogs shouldn’t be allowed access to the all of the same places as the service dogs.

Thirdly, Dogs who are strictly pets shouldn’t suddenly be kicked off of a plane because suddenly some people want to claim severe allergies as a common reaction to carrier confined small dogs.

Wouldn’t be nice if people could just be respectful and all 3 of those things would follow.

ESAs are not required to be allowed. Most won't ask the questions to even try to figure out if it is a service dog or an ESA though.

I believe the last is a situational one though. That they will work with both parties to figure out the best answer if it did happen. I wish I could find the article I found that said it, but I'm too lazy to google.

You can ask specifically what the service dog is trained to do. Most won't do it out of fear though.

I think faking a service dog is deplorable. Fines would be nice but it still disgusts me that people do this. I know I'm kind of vocal about this, but I have friends who legitimately have service animals currently both visually impaired. Some in the past too (friend in dorm was a quadriplegic and the dog did tasks). My family has also worked with the local training school that those go to while getting a dog. It's serious business.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Ultimately, this problem goes beyond Disney...hence all of the headlines about things like the previously noted emotional support peacock and that support hamster that the girl supposedly flushed. I don't think anything will change unless the ADA has a hand in it.

Our most recent trip was the first time I really noticed a lot of dogs that made me wonder if they were truly service dogs (like yorkies and cavaliers being carried by hand or in pet strollers in the parks), but we saw something a few trips ago that still has me scratching my head. Has anyone seen service poodles in Epcot/France before? It looks like there are CMs involved, but it was just so bizarre to me. These were just a couple of them (there were more), but I'd never seen anything like this in the parks and didn't know the purpose...nor did I want to ask since people can get pretty hot if they think you're questioning the legitimacy of such a support animal.

I can believe the standard poodle as a true service dog, but the toy (and other toys and miniatures) had me scratching my head.

 

[larryz]

"Wow -- that's a cute dog. Is it a service animal? What task is it trained to perform?"

 

[jaklgreen]

I’d rather have less children at the parks / hotels than less dogs - dogs are usually more well behaved ;-)

Children and dogs are the same. If they have correct parenting/training then they will be well behaved. If I see a dog doing something it is not supposed to, I don't blame the dog. It is completely the owner's fault. Same with kids, parents are supposed to make sure their kids are behaving.

 

[21stamps]

ESAs are not required to be allowed. Most won't ask the questions to even try to figure out if it is a service dog or an ESA though.

I believe the last is a situational one though. That they will work with both parties to figure out the best answer if it did happen. I wish I could find the article I found that said it, but I'm too lazy to google.

You can ask specifically what the service dog is trained to do. Most won't do it out of fear though.

I think faking a service dog is deplorable. Fines would be nice but it still disgusts me that people do this. I know I'm kind of vocal about this, but I have friends who legitimately have service animals currently both visually impaired. Some in the past too (friend in dorm was a quadriplegic and the dog did tasks). My family has also worked with the local training school that those go to while getting a dog. It's serious business.

I think faking a service dog is deplorable as well, and there should be consequences if someone does so.

The whole “I’m going to try to get an enclosed pet kicked off of a plane” thing is also deplorable imo though.
You have a better chance of having an allergic reaction to the man/woman/family sitting next to you who just left from hugging and saying goodbye to their big shedding dog at home.

People should stop trying to circumvent rules because ‘you’ want to take your pet into a public no-pets-allowed space and purchase a fake vest to do so. And stop trying to change current policies because ‘you’ don’t want a carriered pet on a plane.
Just follow and respect current rules and policy.

 

[correcaminos]

I think faking a service dog is deplorable as well, and there should be consequences if someone does so.

The whole “I’m going to try to get an enclosed pet kicked off of a plane” thing is also deplorable imo though.
You have a better chance of having an allergic reaction to the man/woman/family sitting next to you who just left from hugging and saying goodbye to their big shedding dog at home.

People should stop trying to circumvent rules because ‘you’ want to take your pet into a public no-pets-allowed space and purchase a fake vest to do so. And stop trying to change current policies because ‘you’ don’t want a carriered pet on a plane.
Just follow and respect current rules and policy.

I admit I haven't seen as many cases of people trying to get an animal kicked off a plane vs people trying to bring pets into places they shouldn't though. It's awful, but I don't think that's a situation that's as big as the fakers.

As I said I've read where airlines try to be accommodating to both. Save that horrid airline attendant who put the puppy in the overhead bin.

People should stop trying to circumvent rules no question.

"Wow -- that's a cute dog. Is it a service animal? What task is it trained to perform?"

I'm enough of a brat to have no issues asking that. Sadly I don't work in a place where it would matter.

Children and dogs are the same. If they have correct parenting/training then they will be well behaved. If I see a dog doing something it is not supposed to, I don't blame the dog. It is completely the owner's fault. Same with kids, parents are supposed to make sure their kids are behaving.

well said!

 

[21stamps]

I admit I haven't seen as many cases of people trying to get an animal kicked off a plane vs people trying to bring pets into places they shouldn't though. It's awful, but I don't think that's a situation that's as big as the fakers.

As I said I've read where airlines try to be accommodating to both. Save that horrid airline attendant who put the puppy in the overhead bin.

People should stop trying to circumvent rules no question.



I'm enough of a brat to have no issues asking that. Sadly I don't work in a place where it would matter.



well said!

I would have been kicked off the plane if I was that woman.. no way would I have put my dog in that bin. It was was a heartbreaking story though.