Fake service animal owners may face jail time with new law

[n2mm]

Why would any one person need 3 service dogs? ??

Yea, I know right? His picture (walking through tomorrowland with the 3 dogs) was floating around FB for awhile. Most speculated (jokingly) that the service dogs (ES Dogs) needed service dogs (ES Dogs).....but yet, someone let him into MK. The locals chimed in saying he was a regular that did this all of the time.

SueM, yes the stroller dog we have seen often in the past was in a dog stroller that zipped close and was barking and carrying on. We too was glad it was contained. Keep in mind, we are not locals, but do visit 4+ trips a year, often 2 weeks or more. So spend at least 8 weeks or more there......"an out of town...local..."

 

[A Mickeyfan]

good question.

And something an alert CM should question as the guest is entering the park with them. I own a Doberman, they can be very intimidating to look at. A guest coming in with 3 as his Service Animals definitely should have been questioned.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The fact that Disney has allowed a guest in with 3 Service Dogs proves my point that Disney doesn't do much to prevent the fakes. They do have a legal right to question if it doesn't seem right, and 3 for one person is not right.

 

[blondietink]

The service dog/emotional support animal is also a problem on cruises. People are abusing it like crazy.

 

[lanejudy]

The service dog/emotional support animal is also a problem on cruises. People are abusing it like crazy.

They are going to great lengths to cruise with a service animal; I'd be more inclined to think it's legit than what I see at WDW and my local stores. That's not to say someone intent on taking their pet on a cruise wouldn't go through the process, but it's nowhere near as easy.

 

[Pridemom]

We saw a couple of people with two Golden's that had "Diabetic Alert Dog" and "Service Dog in Training" vests yesterday at Epcot. I have ADA training and SD experience and these dogs were well under control. Like others, I can spot a poorly trained or fake SD quickly. I was miffed when someone let their "SD" approach me and sniff me at Walmart a few weeks ago. I let them know that they should not allow the dog to do so. I am debating applying for a SD for myself as my kids are starting to leave the nest and I sometimes need help if DH isn't home. It could also be a great training tool in my work. But I have four fur babies and don't want to add to the managarie yet.

 

[vanillagirl]

Vests are mentioned alot on this thread as a sign of a legit service dog...My daughter has a beautiful yellow lab guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind. No vest ever.

He wears his leather harness embossed with "Guiding Eyes for the Blind". He has $50k worth of training because he is responsible for her safety and he is always under control when he is working because he loves my daughter and takes his job seriously....yet we have been stopped several times (never at Disney) in the mall -including the Disney Store where the manager was so rude my kids reported her- and by Paul Blart Mall Cop and asked if he's a service dog. My daughter replied that he is her guide dog -he was guiding her!...and Paul replied that since he isnt wearing a vest that prompted him to question...FYI many true SD do not wear vests. In the Disney Store she was even asked to show his paperwork. He has none. He behaves like a prince in public, this was all just suspicious questioning because they said they are cracking down on people just bringing pets out to shop.

Peeps just dont know about SD vs emotional support dogs..therapy dogs..etc. My daughter's dog has been snarled and growled at by other "service" dogs in public places. He ignores them and goes about his work. But that's not cool and can be distracting to him.

We are often surprised at the warnings CMs give re loud noises etc effecting and scaring him on certain rides or the fireworks shows. He is VERY well trained and nothing phases him. I always think they must see alot of meh trained "service" animals in the parks.

I saw those goldens in training several times last week at the Polynesian

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've started to look into getting a psychiatric service dog for my DD who has autism and bipolar disorder. Just in mentioning the possibility to a few people one of my greatest concerns is coming true. People don't understand that there is a difference between a highly trained psychiatric service dog and a therapy dog or emotional support animal. I would never consider abusing the laws regarding service dogs by trying to pass off an emotional support dog as a service dog, and yet I know there is a likelihood of being accused of such should we move forward with getting a service dog.

 

[mistysue]

I've started to look into getting a psychiatric service dog for my DD who has autism and bipolar disorder. Just in mentioning the possibility to a few people one of my greatest concerns is coming true. People don't understand that there is a difference between a highly trained psychiatric service dog and a therapy dog or emotional support animal. I would never consider abusing the laws regarding service dogs by trying to pass off an emotional support dog as a service dog, and yet I know there is a likelihood of being accused of such should we move forward with getting a service dog.

I am asking this honestly trying to understand, but how is that different from an emotional support animal? It seems to me like their main purpose would be for emotional support. What does a psychiatric service dog do outside of emotional support?

 

[Hoodie]

I am asking this honestly trying to understand, but how is that different from an emotional support animal? It seems to me like their main purpose would be for emotional support. What does a psychiatric service dog do outside of emotional support?

Emotional support animals rarely have any training and are deemed emotional support because the owner feels better with them around (calming anxiety, etc.) psychiatric service dogs are highly trained as other service dogs. They are trained to recognize panic attacks, act as a buffer between others, leading handlers to "safe" places in the event of an attack, even tracking and stopping autistic wandering. Basically, thousands of dollars go into a psychiatric service dog whereas any rescue can be deemed an emotional support animal because the owner feels better with it around.

 

[HarleenQ]

I am asking this honestly trying to understand, but how is that different from an emotional support animal? It seems to me like their main purpose would be for emotional support. What does a psychiatric service dog do outside of emotional support?

I think the term "psychiatric" makes it feel similar to an emotional support animal, but I tend to look at the dog as a service animal for "psychiatric" disabilities versus physical limitations (not saying it can't be both).

The dog is just aiding someone's psych issues.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I am asking this honestly trying to understand, but how is that different from an emotional support animal? It seems to me like their main purpose would be for emotional support. What does a psychiatric service dog do outside of emotional support?

No, the main purpose wouldn't be for emotional support. In fact, emotional support would be very far down the list. The dog would be alert for anxiety, behavior changes, mood swings and be trained to give my daughter a signal to disengage from a situation and/or interrupt behaviors. The dog would be trained to provide deep pressure to sooth anxiety and sensory overload. The dog would be trained to provide a buffer between my daughter and others. Since my daughter is getting older and our hope is that she will eventually be able to lead an independent life, we will have the dog trained to wake her up. She takes multiple medications which make her very fatigued and she will not wake to a regular alarm clock, but the dog would provide a persistent, and more friendly, "alarm" that couldn't be snoozed.

What Hoodie posted above is absolutely correct. This would be a dog that would cost many thousands of dollars to train. It would NOT be an emotional support dog. But your assumption is exactly what I fear will happen. That people will think the only possible task a psychiatric service dog could provide is emotional support.

 

[SueM in MN]

Emotional support animals rarely have any training and are deemed emotional support because the owner feels better with them around (calming anxiety, etc.) psychiatric service dogs are highly trained as other service dogs. They are trained to recognize panic attacks, act as a buffer between others, leading handlers to "safe" places in the event of an attack, even tracking and stopping autistic wandering. Basically, thousands of dollars go into a psychiatric service dog whereas any rescue can be deemed an emotional support animal because the owner feels better with it around.

No, the main purpose wouldn't be for emotional support. In fact, emotional support would be very far down the list. The dog would be alert for anxiety, behavior changes, mood swings and be trained to give my daughter a signal to disengage from a situation and/or interrupt behaviors. The dog would be trained to provide deep pressure to sooth anxiety and sensory overload. The dog would be trained to provide a buffer between my daughter and others. Since my daughter is getting older and our hope is that she will eventually be able to lead an independent life, we will have the dog trained to wake her up. She takes multiple medications which make her very fatigued and she will not wake to a regular alarm clock, but the dog would provide a persistent, and more friendly, "alarm" that couldn't be snoozed.

What Hoodie posted above is absolutely correct. This would be a dog that would cost many thousands of dollars to train. It would NOT be an emotional support dog. But your assumption is exactly what I fear will happen. That people will think the only possible task a psychiatric service dog could provide is emotional support.

The biggest difference is that an Emotional Support dog has not been trained to do any specific tasks.

A Psychiatric Service Dog is very highly trained. They not only do tasks directed by their human partner, they also need to have ability to monitor their human partner, recognize things that need action and initiate tasks based on what is happening.
So, like Service Dogs for hearing and vision, Paychiatric Service Dogs actually have to be able to decide what needs to be done and do it, often without direction from their human partner.

 

[vanillagirl]

Maggiesmom I just want to wish you all the best. My daughter has had her dog two years now and i know its for a different issue but he is the love of her life. I hope it works out for you and your daughter that you can get a dog. FYI Guiding Eyes has a program for dogs for autistic children.

My daughter's blindness was caused by a degenerative disease. Her eyes are beautiful and people dont get that she is blind. She has even been accused of faking being blind and in Target once heard a stranger mom tell her child my daughter has a dog because she gets "nervous"...There are all kinds of idiots out there...just do what YOU feel is the right thing for your daughter regarding a service dog.

All the best

 

[KPeveler]

My cat is my emotional support animal. I have paperwork from my therapist saying so. When I am having anxiety problems, she comes and cuddles and helps me calm down. That being said, she is not trained to do so. She is not trained to perform any tasks (she is a cat - she does what she wants)/

that being said, I would never take her anywhere! Just because she calms me does not mean she would not be terrified in public.

The same goes for dogs not trained as a service dog. It can be so hard for them to handle the stress of public situations - it is not fair to them.

My husband and I are both thinking about getting a service dog, and mine will likely end up helping with some of my psychiatric issues too. But there is a vast difference between service animals and emotional support animals.

 

[mistysue]

That makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up. While it would likely be exhausting to keep repeating, your explanation really defines the difference well and I think most people would quickly understand that the dog has specific training.

 

[HarleenQ]

No, the main purpose wouldn't be for emotional support. In fact, emotional support would be very far down the list. The dog would be alert for anxiety, behavior changes, mood swings and be trained to give my daughter a signal to disengage from a situation and/or interrupt behaviors. The dog would be trained to provide deep pressure to sooth anxiety and sensory overload. The dog would be trained to provide a buffer between my daughter and others. Since my daughter is getting older and our hope is that she will eventually be able to lead an independent life, we will have the dog trained to wake her up. She takes multiple medications which make her very fatigued and she will not wake to a regular alarm clock, but the dog would provide a persistent, and more friendly, "alarm" that couldn't be snoozed.

What Hoodie posted above is absolutely correct. This would be a dog that would cost many thousands of dollars to train. It would NOT be an emotional support dog. But your assumption is exactly what I fear will happen. That people will think the only possible task a psychiatric service dog could provide is emotional support.

Try not to let the fear of being judged stop you from doing something that would benefit your child. You're going to be judged either way - might as well be doing something beneficial! And honestly, if the dog is well trained I really don't think many people will think it's not a proper service dog. It's the yappers.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Maggiesmom I just want to wish you all the best. My daughter has had her dog two years now and i know its for a different issue but he is the love of her life. I hope it works out for you and your daughter that you can get a dog. FYI Guiding Eyes has a program for dogs for autistic children.

My daughter's blindness was caused by a degenerative disease. Her eyes are beautiful and people dont get that she is blind. She has even been accused of faking being blind and in Target once heard a stranger mom tell her child my daughter has a dog because she gets "nervous"...There are all kinds of idiots out there...just do what YOU feel is the right thing for your daughter regarding a service dog.

All the best

Thank you! I'll look up the Guiding Eyes program. Like I said, I just started looking into this in the past month. There are so many organizations out there and it's difficult to figure out which ones are good. We recently added a new therapy group that will be working with my DD. I mentioned to the therapist that I was starting to research service dogs and she said she has some other clients with psychiatric service dogs. She is going to get me some names of reputable organizations I can contact.

I am so hoping we can get a dog that will be as special to my DD as your DD's dog is to her!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Try not to let the fear of being judged stop you from doing something that would benefit your child. You're going to be judged either way - might as well be doing something beneficial! And honestly, if the dog is well trained I really don't think many people will think it's not a proper service dog. It's the yappers.

No, I definitely won't let the fear stop me from doing it. I've already had to grow a pretty thick skin to deal with comments from people about my DD. There are just times when I wish there weren't so many battles to be fought. And the thought that people who don't know any better about service dogs might add to the battles just makes me feel a little more weary.

 

[lorijohnhill]

It would be nice if the owners of therapy dogs had to go through training (at least in the laws) before they could get their pet "certified". We were in Dollar Tree and a woman and her dog were in the store. The dog was creating quite a ruckus and one of the employees came over to investigate. The woman stated that this was her therapy dog and she had papers at home to prove it. The woman was told that therapy dogs are not allowed in the store, only service dogs. She said "He's my therapy dog and you can't make me leave." It was really quite disruptive and annoying.