Parks gone to the dogs...

jloucks

jloucks

Well-Known Member
Lets Respect said:
They're going to have to get some sort of certification for "emotional support animals" soon. Like you need a letter from your psychiatrist and even then it needs to be limited to dogs. It's out of control.

Someone tried to bring a peacock onto a flight a few weeks ago.
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The law already limits to just dogs (and rarely mini horses). There is no such thing as a service peacock.

Surprisingly, the only place I have ever seen a service pony was at WDW.
 
King Panda 77

King Panda 77

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
ppete1975 said:
you don't notice a true service animal.. I mean you might think what a cute dog but that's it... they are right next to their owner, quiet and really well mannered. They don't pull at leashes or get around other people or wander around and you will NEVER hear them. At my work there are two service dogs and you see them walk next to their owner, outside of that they lay down right by them.. you don't even know they are there, ive never heard a yip or a bark. The dogs I see people with are just dogs (or other animals) there is a huge difference. I think eventually there should be a license or a vest that you have to show to prove its a service animal and it will be a federal crime to misrepresent your dog with a vest that isn't up to date or a true service animal, and it will be a lot of work to get that vest and hopefully very legislated. There is only a small portion of our society that should have a service animal (personally I think its smaller than most) and needs to be more legislated. IF not everyone has their dog or peacock and thinks they are allowed to go anywhere... eventually its a safety and health issue. I really don't want your animal near my food or food products.
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Don't forget these are legal service animals
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Mander

Mander

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
One of the biggest problems I see is how misunderstood Emotional Support Animals are. If someone says their dog is an ESA at a grocery store or theme park, I'm willing to bet it isn't true. ESAs are allowed protections with housing and airlines but nothing else. My sister has one as a part of her treatment plan with her doctor for severe depression/anxiety and to reduce the number of panic attacks she experiences. It absolutely helps her but much of the time people don't believe her because of all the people who buy an ESA letter online to fake their way through. I'm the biggest dog lover but the abuse of the system is so bad for people with legitimate service dogs and ESAs. Places like Disney really aren't designed for dogs and I'd imagine it's a stressful place for most of them! I really think the laws need to be changed in some way to make abusing the system harder.
 
LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
Mander said:
One of the biggest problems I see is how misunderstood Emotional Support Animals are. If someone says their dog is an ESA at a grocery store or theme park, I'm willing to bet it isn't true. ESAs are allowed protections with housing and airlines but nothing else. My sister has one as a part of her treatment plan with her doctor for severe depression/anxiety and to reduce the number of panic attacks she experiences. It absolutely helps her but much of the time people don't believe her because of all the people who buy an ESA letter online to fake their way through. I'm the biggest dog lover but the abuse of the system is so bad for people with legitimate service dogs and ESAs. Places like Disney really aren't designed for dogs and I'd imagine it's a stressful place for most of them! I really think the laws need to be changed in some way to make abusing the system harder.
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I think the 19 states which have passed laws penalizing individuals who falsely claim their dog is a service/ESA animal is a start. But the companies who sell fake vests, doctors letters, etc., need to be shut down. And Amazon needs to consider banning the sale of vests on its site. The more painful it's made, either by inconvenience or money, for people to fake, the less we'll see. I'm surprise the APA hasn't tried to get those "buy a letter" sites shut down. Surely there's a violation of professional ethics there.

I'm glad to hear your sister is helped by her ESA. We need to make sure all the charlatans don't impact her therapy and treatment.
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
geekza said:
Emotional Support Animals are not covered by ADA because they aren't trained for a specific function, but I guess there are some state and local laws that allow for them to come into public places. If this lady had multiple poodles, though, I'd raise an eyebrow at their validity as a mental health necessity.
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If any good is going to come out of this - and I believe it is coming - it's that the wanton abuse of the system by hoards of people scamming it just to take their dogs into the parks (and other places) is leading to a backlash.
People are getting tired of it, and companies - not just Disney - are hopefully going to make some changes in enforcement.
 
ELG13

ELG13

Well-Known Member
Hopefully there will soon be a solution. Documents are necessary at this point. I think it's crazy people can't ask. There needs to be a system of tracking this stuff. This is why we can't have nice things...because people abuse it and make it harder for the people who actually follow the rules and do right.
 
LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
ELG13 said:
Hopefully there will soon be a solution. Documents are necessary at this point. I think it's crazy people can't ask. There needs to be a system of tracking this stuff. This is why we can't have nice things...because people abuse it and make it harder for the people who actually follow the rules and do right.
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The issue is privacy and not violating HIPAA. But I think some standard format and nationally recognized card sized certificate that could be produced, if questioned, might help. It could be supplied by trainers of said animals. Questions like, "Is this a certified service animal? Can we see your card? What functions does it perform for you?" shouldn't violate ADA. And I think it would be very helpful for CMs to know what the dog can do to assist their owner. Remember, ESAs are not covered under the ADA, so businesses have more leeway with those animals.
 
ELG13

ELG13

Well-Known Member
LAKid53 said:
The issue is privacy and not violating HIPAA. But I think some standard format and nationally recognized card sized certificate that could be produced, if questioned, might help. It could be supplied by trainers of said animals. Questions like, "Is this a certified service animal? Can we see your card? What functions does it perform for you?" shouldn't violate ADA. And I think it would be very helpful for CMs to know what the dog can do to assist their owner. Remember, ESAs are not covered under the ADA, so businesses have more leeway with those animals.
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HIPPA Shippa. If I have to show Id to purchase alcohol or to prove my kids age people should have some sort of id for their animals.
I've just had too many negative experiences with non service animals being posted as service animals I get irritated. I have a coworker that was going to order a fake vest for her Yorkie and I told her I would not go anywhere with her . I also know people who genuinely need their animals but get sideways looks and comments when they bring them places because of this probLem.
 
LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
ELG13 said:
HIPPA Shippa. If I have to show Id to purchase alcohol or to prove my kids age people should have some sort of id for their animals.
I've just had too many negative experiences with non service animals being posted as service animals I get irritated. I have a coworker that was going to order a fake vest for her Yorkie and I told her I would not go anywhere with her . I also know people who genuinely need their animals but get sideways looks and comments when they bring them places because of this probLem.
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You need to distinguish between service animals, which are covered under the ADA and support animals, which are not. Your co-worker was trying to pass her Yorkie off as an ESA, most likely. Here in Florida, she'd be guilty of a 2nd degree misdemeanor and could be fined up to $500. And probably similar penalties in the other 18 states that passed legislation to crack down on fake ESA. Florida law gives businesses the authority to remove animals who obviously are fake, based on their behavior. They just need to do it. I think airlines prohibiting passengers from bringing questionable animals on board will help get the word out.
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
as a country we have become so far over PC that it is starting to damage the country... millions in frivolous lawsuits (its bad publicity for large companies, a small company might be put out of business), people who really have needs are bucketed into the large group of fakes, and then you have the people who do everything right who feel they are being walked all over. This, participation trophys, and frivolous law suits all need to be cleaned up.
Oh and get off my lawn
 
UncleMike101

UncleMike101

Well-Known Member
ELG13 said:
Hopefully there will soon be a solution. Documents are necessary at this point. I think it's crazy people can't ask. There needs to be a system of tracking this stuff. This is why we can't have nice things...because people abuse it and make it harder for the people who actually follow the rules and do right.
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Well..................
One has to have paperwork from a licensed MD to be issued a Handicap placard or plate where I live to make sure that the special parking privileges aren't being abused..
It's an easy process and is free of charge.
The same paperwork should apply to Service Animals to make sure that the special animal privileges aren't being abused.
 
ELG13

ELG13

Well-Known Member
LAKid53 said:
You need to distinguish between service animals, which are covered under the ADA and support animals, which are not. Your co-worker was trying to pass her Yorkie off as an ESA, most likely. Here in Florida, she'd be guilty of a 2nd degree misdemeanor and could be fined up to $500. And probably similar penalties in the other 18 states that passed legislation to crack down on fake ESA. Florida law gives businesses the authority to remove animals who obviously are fake, based on their behavior. They just need to do it. I think airlines prohibiting passengers from bringing questionable animals on board will help get the word out.
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Absolutely. I agree 100%
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
UncleMike101 said:
Well..................
One has to have paperwork from a licensed MD to be issued a Handicap placard or plate where I live to make sure that the special parking privileges aren't being abused..
It's an easy process and is free of charge.
The same paperwork should apply to Service Animals to make sure that the special animal privileges aren't being abused.
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Yes.
I don't understand why similar methods are not required.
Such a system protects the legitimately needy from those taking advantage of their rights and taking up space in the areas afforded to them.
 
LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
The issuance of paperwork to certify a dog is a bona fide service animal will require modifications to the ADA.
 

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