Should monkey wearing a diaper in a baby stroller be allowed in WDW?

[tigger1968]

I work in retail management and also serve as Safety/Security Director for a medium sized fan convention in my city. I can honestly say that the number of "support" animals I see is ridiculous. At least twice a week I have to confront a customer in my store who has brought in a pet. Our pet policy is on display at the door. Rarely they will have a service vest on, and we have a polite conversation and they are welcome to shop. The ones that frustrate me are the customers who immediately shriek "It's a service animal! You can't deny me having it here!" which is usually a good indicator that they are completely lying. However, in our lawsuit happy, social media blasting world we live in, we are told from corporate to not question and allow them to shop. If they admit its really a pet, then we ask that they return the animal to their car before shopping any more.

It's similar in the convention world. Mostly you see emotional support animals, which is, usually, someone's pet. However, in an abundance of caution (legalwise) we instruct our volunteers to get a director to address any issues. We interpret the federal government's guidelines to be that one cannot ask what a person's disability is, and if they claim they have a service animal, it must be accepted as such, you cannot ask for proof. We can only take them at their word. And yes, it's incredibly frustrating.

My guess is that WDW is finding itself in a similar situation more and more. It's sad to see people blatantly abuse something designed to make someone's life easier. I would love to see the rules change to require a stricter registration/licensing policy for service animals.

Case in point, the con chair of my convention was recently contacted by someone wanting to bring their "emotional support kitten" to the convention. Um. No. That's not a thing I'm afraid.

 

[Kiwiduck]

We sure it wasn't Abu doing a roaming meet and greet?

There is a comment on the original site this was posted on by a woman claiming to the monkey's owner. The monkey is actually called Abu!

 

[LAKid53]

When a non service animal attacks a legitimate service animal, hopefully that's when regulations will be revised and companies will be able to require proof. Service animals are highly trained for the type of service they provide to that individual. And that training is not cheap. A non trained animal, in an environment like Walt Disney World, is an accident waiting to happen. I watched some woman try to bring her purse dog through security at WDW. The reason everyone around this idiot knew about the dog? Because it was barking its head off and snapped at the security guard at bag check. I didn't hang around to see the resolution, but I hope she and her dog were refused entry.

As it's been said ad nauseam, this is why we can't have nice things.

What's next in our "I'm entitled" society? Someone trying to bring their Glock into the Magic Kingdom, claiming it's their emotional support weapon?

 

[King Panda 77]

When a non service animal attacks a legitimate service animal, hopefully that's when regulations will be revised and companies will be able to require proof. Service animals are highly trained for the type of service they provide to that individual. And that training is not cheap. A non trained animal, in an environment like Walt Disney World, is an accident waiting to happen. I watched some woman try to bring her purse dog through security at WDW. The reason everyone around this idiot knew about the dog? Because it was barking its head off and snapped at the security guard at bag check. I didn't hang around to see the resolution, but I hope she and her dog were refused entry.

As its been said ad nauseam, this is why we can't have nice things.

What's next in our "I'm entitled" society? Someone trying to bring their Glock into the Magic Kingdom, claiming it's their emotional support weapon?

I believe an emotional support weapon is not allowed to be less than a 45 caliber ... so the glock wont comply

 

[Seabasealpha1]

Describe for me the usefulness of a service monkey...someone? Anyone? And...I dunno...I can handle a Golden Retriever or a Labrador...A monkey is a different matter...

 

[LAKid53]

Describe for me the usefulness of a service monkey...someone? Anyone? And...I dunno...I can handle a Golden Retriever or a Labrador...A monkey is a different matter...

Weren't monkeys - specifically Capuchins-some of the first service animals? Mainly because of their intelligence, dexterity and use of tools - abilities very few other species used as services animals all possess. Any primate larger than this species of monkey would be difficult to manage. I would be very concerned if I saw a guest attempting to bring into WDW a baboon or full grown ape as an "emotional support" animal....

 

[LAKid53]

I believe an emotional support weapon is not allowed to be less than a 45 caliber ... so the glock wont comply

Does this mean my RPG would be allowed?

 

[OliveMcFly]

What you don't know is the monkey was the guest enjoying the parks with it's service human.

 

[LAKid53]

Read the article on Inquisitor and viewed the pictures someone tweeted. Hard to tell from the photos what species of monkey, but looked the same size as a Capuchin.

At least it had a diaper on....

 

[jaklgreen]

I don't like this. I have seen people push their little sleeping dogs in strollers around the park. What kind of service does that animal provide? Those people who bring in their "emotional support" pets that have no training on how to handle crowds and noise etc, are not doing what is best for the animal but for themselves. I question if they even love those poor animals at all. I love my pets and would never think to put them in those situations where they can be stressed or frightened. What dog wants to walk around WDW all day in the heat and crowds and fireworks? Shame on these people, they are selfish and I would charge them with abuse of their animal.

 

[DisAl]

Describe for me the usefulness of a service monkey...someone? Anyone? And...I dunno...I can handle a Golden Retriever or a Labrador...A monkey is a different matter...

See this link:
https://monkeyhelpers.org/
Although the one in question was almost certainly NOT a service monkey if the owner was serving the monkey rather than the monkey serving the owner.

 

[LAKid53]

I don't like this. I have seen people push their little sleeping dogs in strollers around the park. What kind of service does that animal provide? Those people who bring in their "emotional support" pets that have no training on how to handle crowds and noise etc, are not doing what is best for the animal but for themselves. I question if they even love those poor animals at all. I love my pets and would never think to put them in those situations where they can be stressed or frightened. What dog wants to walk around WDW all day in the heat and crowds and fireworks? Shame on these people, they are selfish and I would charge them with abuse of their animal.

Which is why there needs to be strict regulations on service animals. That they are properly trained...that their owners are properly trained...that people who cannot leave their pets at home, where they are safe, when trying to bring them to public places as a service animal, can be questioned and must show proof. I have to have a driver's license. Why not a certificate to show your service animal really is one? Bringing an untrained animal to Disney in the summer is, I agree, tantamount to animal abuse....

 

[Incomudro]

I'd be willing to bet that there exist a myriad of phony "service animal" companies out there online that will sell you an animal vest and some kind of phony documentation certificate.
There needs to be a standard.

 

[mf1972]

Probably better behaved than some of the children I have seen lately.

some adults too i bet

 

[LAKid53]

I'd be willing to bet that there exist a myriad of phony "service animal" companies out there online that will sell you an animal vest and some kind of phony documentation certificate.
There needs to be a standard.

There needs to be regulations for those companies providing service animals also. Read a report about a lawsuit filed against a company providing service animals for people (geared for children) with diabetes. According to complaints, said company charged thousands of dollars for minimally trained puppies - yes 4 month old dogs. And provided little followup support. One individual stated her dog was so sick, the vet said it was little better than a pet.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

There needs to be regulations for those companies providing service animals also. Read a report about a lawsuit filed against a company providing service animals for people (geared for children) with diabetes. According to complaints, said company charged thousands of dollars for minimally trained puppies - yes 4 month old dogs. And provided little followup support. One individual stated her dog was so sick, the vet said it was little better than a pet.

This has been discussed in a previous post, but frankly before any animal is allowed in to the park it should HAVE to be cleared by someone in guest services. Seeing a "service dog" take a poo on Main street in November, and another one growl at a service dog who looked legit(was laying down while owner ate, and was not begging for food etc), really diminishes the real issue that people have that require service dogs.

Same with the Rent-a-handicapped-friend service people in Orlando were doing not more than 5 years ago to skip lines, these types of people are ruining a legit need for people.

You can in fact get a phony certificate online/dog vest for very cheap.. I know because someone I know was a disabled vet, and "required a service animal", which they got "certified" online.. within 2 years they had both a dog, and a service pig, and neither are with said individual anymore(for reasons I do not know) and he seems to be doing fine...

Many of these situations are simply people wanting to have attention, or are partaking in the ME ME ME attitude.

 

[LAKid53]

This has been discussed in a previous post, but frankly before any animal is allowed in to the park it should HAVE to be cleared by someone in guest services. Seeing a "service dog" take a poo on Main street in November, and another one growl at a service dog who looked legit(was laying down while owner ate, and was not begging for food etc), really diminishes the real issue that people have that require service dogs.

Same with the Rent-a-handicapped-friend service people in Orlando were doing not more than 5 years ago to skip lines, these types of people are ruining a legit need for people.

You can in fact get a phony certificate online/dog vest for very cheap.. I know because someone I know was a disabled vet, and "required a service animal", which they got "certified" online.. within 2 years they had both a dog, and a service pig, and neither are with said individual anymore(for reasons I do not know) and he seems to be doing fine...

Many of these situations are simply people wanting to have attention, or are partaking in the ME ME ME attitude.

And those guests and their obviously not service animals should have been asked to leave...especially the guest whose dog growled at a service animal....

 

[Phonedave]

There are all sorts of service animals out there, including some that you would think are not service animals.

There are dogs, small dogs, that are trained to detect the onset of seziures in people before the people themselves can tell. They can warn a person to get to a safe location, sit down, and take their medication before that person has a full blown seziure somewhere like in the middle of a crowd. They can pick up on certain indicators that humans cannot. However, these animals are trained, and trained not only for their specific role they perform, but also trained to be in public/crowded situations.

These "homegrown" emotional support animals are not trained to be in crowds. The get nervous, jumpy, scared, or anxious. It is not fair to the animal, nor to the people around them. I have a wonderful dog, but I don't take him into crowded situations - even when its permitted, because I know it makes him uncomfortable (he's an 80 lb with anxiety issues).

-dave

 

[GlassHalfFull]

And those guests and their obviously not service animals should have been asked to leave...especially the guest whose dog growled at a service animal....

Agree, but I probably saw 2 dozen "service animals" that were clearly not service animals on my most recent trip, not sure WDW can do anything about that once they get past guest services unless an event occurs. Which is why every "animal" entered into the park should have to show they can deal with being a real service animal to a trained specialist at guest services before they may enter the park.. my judgement for whether they were/were not service animals comes from my wife, who has worked with dogs, and service dogs for years..

 

[LAKid53]

Agree, but I probably saw 2 dozen "service animals" that were clearly not service animals on my most recent trip, not sure WDW can do anything about that once they get past guest services unless an event occurs. Which is why every "animal" entered into the park should have to show they can deal with being a real service animal to a trained specialist at guest services before they may enter the park.. my judgement for whether they were/were not service animals comes from my wife, who has worked with dogs, and service dogs for years..

I assume there is some type of regulation regarding the animals to be trained as service animals. The report I read about the company providing animals for children with diabetes indicated many of the animals were sick..and the new owners spent $$ on vet bills, after spending thousands to get their dog.

It's a shame that something that can increase quality of life - or save lives - for people, especially children, is abused by some.