Service Monkey at Epcot

Trained helper animals for severely disabled people is one thing ... but unlimited, unregulated helper animals for the self-diagnosed emotionally fragile ... by government decree?

I believe the service dog wins out because I don't think allergies are formally recognized under the ADA but the ADA flat out says that a service dog has to be allowed.

Sounds like the peanut people need to get organized and get an acronym for themselves :smokin:
 
I fly a ton for business, and the number of animals on planes gets more and more common - support, paid for, emotional comfort, etc. I wonder how the airlines and places like WDW balance people that have extreme allergies vs. the needs of the people with animals, like at shows in WDW or in the confines of an airplane. I don't have a position on this (or a dog in the hunt as it where), but I have wondered before.

That is something interesting to think about. In the context of airplanes for things like peanuts they don't serve them on the plane if someone is allergic to them.

I don't have any experience with this next part so just wondering out loud: with animals..if it was a service animal would they ask the passenger who owns the animal to bump to another flight or the passenger with the severe allergies to bump to another flight? Or would they just try to switch seats to try making the exposure potentially lower?

IMHO though WDW is a far cry from an airplane in regards to your thoughts. WDW doesn't just stop serving peanuts for those allergic to it or stop serving other foods but they offer a different menu items prepared in a different way than other foods due to food allergies.

Most commercial airlines limit the number of pet dogs allowed in the cabin on a flight, so you have to book and pay their space on the plane ahead of time. Flying with your dog is kind of a headache. I've done it numerous times.

Service animals are allowed on flights free of charge and generally outside of the cabin restrictions placed on small dogs in carriers, but most airlines still require some kind of advanced notice you will be bringing a service animal. Generally, you are required to provide some kind of documentation such as a harness/vest, or note from your doctor the service animal is providing assistance as allowed under the ADA.

As advanced notice to the airline is frequently required to travel with a dog that is a pet or service animal, someone with a life threatening allergy to dogs would hopefully contact the airline ahead of time to verify it is a dog-free flight or request accommodations as necessary.
 
With all due respect please just move on. It's not a thread dedicated to breed specific discussion (and my original comment to the other poster never mentioned breed whatsoever just size) nor does the thread need to be hijacked in a breed discussion debate.

So when you are proven wrong you don't want to admit it. You just want to "move on". You are the one who brought up the false comment that small breeds cause more injuries than large dogs, which is clearly incorrect. With all due respect, if you're more afraid of a chiuaua than a pit bull, you have a serious problem.
 
So when you are proven wrong you don't want to admit it. You just want to "move on". You are the one who brought up the false comment that small breeds cause more injuries than large dogs, which is clearly incorrect. With all due respect, if you're more afraid of a chiuaua than a pit bull, you have a serious problem.
Time to move on. Breeds of dogs are not the topic of discussion here.
 


Also, I believe that an animal that has had the training, receives some kind of certificate, don't they? Couldn't the owner be required to being the certificate as proof? Or is that also not allowed.

I was once on a flight with a small dog (not service dog - just paid the fee for carry-on) and a couple showed up with a large breed dog. They just walked on the plane, and the cabin attendents just watched. When that dog started crawling under the seat to get to my little (totally frantic) dog, I jumped up and asked to be moved. They accommodated me, and after the flight, my friend (a management type) who I told the story to, looked into it, and told me that those folks ended up having to pay full "human" fair for their dog.

I certainly can understand the ADA's rules of not having to divulge the reason someone has a service animal, but if there is a question on whether or not an animal has had the official training, can a business ask to see the certification?

Honestly? I think it's pathetic they can't ask. If you want exceptions and accomodations, then you should have to explain why. People need to stop being so frigging sensitive over everything. And I say this as a mother of two with special needs, who require a DAS card, and whi is looking into a service dog. I see absolutely no reason why it is unreasonable to be asked to show a certificate of registration, or proof of need when my children are being accomodated in special ways.
 
And to confuse things, there are service animals who are trained to know when someone is anxious, and to either guide them away from crowds, as mentioned above, or actively interact with them, so rubbing, pawing, etc, to get their attention. Some animals for people with PTSD do this, and they are sometimes considered comfort animals, but they are not. Unlike comfort animals, who often times are with people as a pet would be to offer a calming presence (which I've seen at WDW a "comfort" animal that was anything but calming), the animal trained for anxiety actually is cued by the person's actions to react. It's a hard one to explain what they are trained for, but I've seen it in action. It reminds me of dogs that are trained to detect seizures, but instead hone in on anxiety traits. It is pretty impressive.
 
sorry for above... tried to quote...

In response to original post, a monkey is NOT a recognized service animal. My daughter is currently waiting for a service dog to help her with PTSD. It is a long process, and by the time it is fully trained and living with her 24/7, the dog will be trained to handle all sorts of crowd levels/noises/situations. We are hoping the dog will replace some of the medications she is currently taking to help with her problems.

If I had witness this at EPCOT, I would have said something to the individual (yes, I know many would not, but I have been becoming more outspoken in my advanced years) and I would have said something to a supervising cast member. Perhaps she was ignorant of actual law, or perhaps she is just one of many who feel they are entitled.
 


How is this not a licensed thing...it should have a certain tag # or badge or be regulated it's just so messy and prime for abuse.
 
sorry for above... tried to quote...

In response to original post, a monkey is NOT a recognized service animal. My daughter is currently waiting for a service dog to help her with PTSD. It is a long process, and by the time it is fully trained and living with her 24/7, the dog will be trained to handle all sorts of crowd levels/noises/situations. We are hoping the dog will replace some of the medications she is currently taking to help with her problems.

If I had witness this at EPCOT, I would have said something to the individual (yes, I know many would not, but I have been becoming more outspoken in my advanced years) and I would have said something to a supervising cast member. Perhaps she was ignorant of actual law, or perhaps she is just one of many who feel they are entitled.

Why do you feel it is your place to speak to a disabled person about their service animal? Should the disabled person have to justify their Animal to every person in the park? Disney has the right to speak to the person about their service Animal. However, Disney's right is very limited by law. If an employee goes beyond that limit they could easily be facing a discrimination lawsuit from the individual plus a suit from the Department of Justice for violating their Civil Rights.
 
Honestly? I think it's pathetic they can't ask. If you want exceptions and accomodations, then you should have to explain why. People need to stop being so frigging sensitive over everything. And I say this as a mother of two with special needs, who require a DAS card, and whi is looking into a service dog. I see absolutely no reason why it is unreasonable to be asked to show a certificate of registration, or proof of need when my children are being accomodated in special ways.

It's not "unreasonable," but it is actually illegal to require someone to provide the document. It has to do with privacy issues and is a hot topic amongst handlers of service dogs.
 
As it has been said several times already, a monkey is not a recognized service animal. And I should have clarified, that when I said I would have spoken to the individual, I do know that all that can be asked is if it is a service animal and what service it provides for the individual.
 
Why do you feel it is your place to speak to a disabled person about their service animal? Should the disabled person have to justify their Animal to every person in the park? Disney has the right to speak to the person about their service Animal. However, Disney's right is very limited by law. If an employee goes beyond that limit they could easily be facing a discrimination lawsuit from the individual plus a suit from the Department of Justice for violating their Civil Rights.

The big thing is monkeys are not recognized service animals in the US. So while I wouldn't confront them if someone who actually needs a service animal and follows the proper laws felt like calling someone out then I think they are with in their right.
 
I have worked for 2 major service dog schools over a period of 11 years.

* only dogs and mini horses (as guides) are covered under ADA law - they are given FULL access rights.
* ESAs are allowed on planes and housing that may not normally allow pets - but that is the ONLY access they are given.
* it is illegal to require any certification proof of a service animal. (This is a hot topic among service dog handlers and constantly debated...it has a lot to do with privacy issues.) However, the FAA is allowed to ask for different types of documentation, including a health certificate, for any animal flying.
* fake service animals can cause a lot of harm to real service animals - because they are not trained, they might attack other animals, they make people 2nd guess real service animals and cause more grief for handlers, etc.
* service animals are allowed where the public may go, as long as it does not interfere with how the business is run and accommodations have to be made if a dog isn't allowed - example, dog is allowed in doctor's office but not the operating room (since only qualified personnel are allowed there); Disney allows dogs on most rides except where it could inhibit the running of the ride (dogs aren't allowed on coasters but Disney has a crate nearby to put dogs in if handler wants to ride without dog).
* businesses can ask 2 questions: is that a service animal? What tasks is the dog trained to do for you? Tasks have to be physical, not just "comfort." If a dog is very dirty or is causing a scene by barking or snapping or lunging at people, the law protects a business to tell the handler to remove the animal.
* it is punshiable with JAIL TIME in the state of Florida to pass off a fake service dog as a real one. This would require the business to call the police, etc.
* fake service dogs are pretty easy to recognize - dog is on a flexi leash or is loose, dog is in a stroller (OCCASIONALLY the dog may still be a service dog in this case, but usually not as most service dogs need to have access to their handler to perform their tasks), the dog is badly behaved, the dog is sitting on a table or on a chair (again, occasionally could still be a service dog but most handlers would prefer their dog to be as "invisible" as possible).
* quick definitions: SERVICE dog performs tasks for a specific person with a disability (Assistance Dogs International requires their members to train a minimum of 3 tasks that are for the disability), they have FULL access rights; EMOTIONAL support animals do not have to be trained and are for people who have a need for a "comfort" animal, usually something like anxiety, they have access rights on planes and housing only; THERAPY dogs are trained to provide "comfort" etc for a group of people such as a hospital or school and have NO access rights but are cleared through the business for which they volunteer.
 
Maybe, I am too sensitive to this discussion being disabled myself.......I do not have the need of a Service Animal at this time. I am amazed at how many people believe it is their place to comment and judge without being informed. The laws do state dogs and mini horses for service animals. If Disney chooses to allow other assistance animals, isn't this the business of Disney and that individual??

I saw a woman holding onto a rather large fluffy cat at the escalator to the monorail at the Contemporary last year. The individual was having difficulties. To what? I don't know. Why? It wasn't any of my business is why. If she was next to me in line, I hope actually I know I would treat her like other people and chat with her if she wanted. Usually, a hello or what a beautiful cat,....what is her name? That cat ijust may be her bridge to interact with people.

In some ways, I am lucky I have a hidden disability. Well, not completely hidden if I use a DAS or Disabled Parking. I have heard comments. I have come close to lifting up my shirt to show all the scars and the outline of the devices along with all the medication that allow me to be somewhat stealth in my disability. My wife figured out why I was uncomfortable at the pools and presented me with a rash shirt on our last trip. It allowed me to enjoy stormalong bay once again.

a little more compassion...............
 
I have worked for 2 major service dog schools over a period of 11 years.

* only dogs and mini horses (as guides) are covered under ADA law - they are given FULL access rights.
* ESAs are allowed on planes and housing that may not normally allow pets - but that is the ONLY access they are given.
* it is illegal to require any certification proof of a service animal. (This is a hot topic among service dog handlers and constantly debated...it has a lot to do with privacy issues.) However, the FAA is allowed to ask for different types of documentation, including a health certificate, for any animal flying.
* fake service animals can cause a lot of harm to real service animals - because they are not trained, they might attack other animals, they make people 2nd guess real service animals and cause more grief for handlers, etc.
* service animals are allowed where the public may go, as long as it does not interfere with how the business is run and accommodations have to be made if a dog isn't allowed - example, dog is allowed in doctor's office but not the operating room (since only qualified personnel are allowed there); Disney allows dogs on most rides except where it could inhibit the running of the ride (dogs aren't allowed on coasters but Disney has a crate nearby to put dogs in if handler wants to ride without dog).
* businesses can ask 2 questions: is that a service animal? What tasks is the dog trained to do for you? Tasks have to be physical, not just "comfort." If a dog is very dirty or is causing a scene by barking or snapping or lunging at people, the law protects a business to tell the handler to remove the animal.
* it is punshiable with JAIL TIME in the state of Florida to pass off a fake service dog as a real one. This would require the business to call the police, etc.
* fake service dogs are pretty easy to recognize - dog is on a flexi leash or is loose, dog is in a stroller (OCCASIONALLY the dog may still be a service dog in this case, but usually not as most service dogs need to have access to their handler to perform their tasks), the dog is badly behaved, the dog is sitting on a table or on a chair (again, occasionally could still be a service dog but most handlers would prefer their dog to be as "invisible" as possible).
* quick definitions: SERVICE dog performs tasks for a specific person with a disability (Assistance Dogs International requires their members to train a minimum of 3 tasks that are for the disability), they have FULL access rights; EMOTIONAL support animals do not have to be trained and are for people who have a need for a "comfort" animal, usually something like anxiety, they have access rights on planes and housing only; THERAPY dogs are trained to provide "comfort" etc for a group of people such as a hospital or school and have NO access rights but are cleared through the business for which they volunteer.


For flying, 14 CFR part 382 provides the rules for flying with service animals and they do not necessarily need a health certificate to fly under rules, and if the airline does not feel the individual is providing credible verbal assurances or evidence that the service animal in question is a true service animal, they can ask for documentation from a health care professional the animal is providing an essential function for a disability. They are allowed by law to ask for this (but why you wouldn't believe someone is traveling with a service animal after asking "what task(s) is the animal trained to provide for you?" I don't know unless the dog was acting wild in the terminal).
 
Sorry I am dog lover and totally back service animals but it has gotten out of hand. Several of my DD adult friends buy the vests on eBay and take their untrained dogs everywhere. LAst trip we were at MGM and witnessed a "emotional" support German shepard having a complete melt down and becoming agressive towards its young adult handler outside Mermaid where the show let out. It could not handle the crowd. I felt pysically sick for the animal because it was completely trapped by people and you could see it was in trouble.
This is what I don't get about people bringing in their non-service animals. I love my dog and I definitely miss him when we are in WDW - but 1.) I don't *need* a service animal, and 2.) he would HATE going into the parks. Fireworks, crowds, etc. So why would I put him through that? My missing him and being sad to leave him at home does not trump his own physical comfort, or the fact that, again, I don't need him there with me.

It seems cruel, and like something that is obviously getting abused when it's something that some really need. It's sad.
 
I though helper monkeys are service animals? They are actually used for people who are paralyzed which by the pic
tures this women definitely was not.

From Wiki:
Helper monkey[edit]
A helper monkey is a type of assistance animal, similar to an assistance dog, that is specially trained to help people with quadriplegia, severe spinal cord injuries, or other mobility impairments.

Helper monkeys are usually trained in schools by private organizations, taking 7 years to train, and are able to serve 25–30 years (two to three times longer than a guide dog).[15]

After being socialized in a human home as infants, the monkeys undergo extensive training before being placed with an individual needing assistance. Around the house, the monkeys assist in daily living by doing tasks including microwaving food, washing their human's face, and opening drink bottles.

Debbie Leahy, manager of captive wildlife protection for the Humane Society of the United States, argues that monkeys are not legitimate service animals and that their training sometimes involves abuse.[16]
 

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