Service/ Therapy Animals

[tvaud]

Lots of people also say that if you have a small dog, it can't be a service dog because of its size. What most people think of when you say service dog is golden retrievers and black labs, not little ones. I get that with my miniature poodle. They think that she is just a pet, even with her vest on. She is in fact a seizure alert dog, and is a fine size for what she is trained to do.

 

 

We get the same thing. My husband's service dog is a chihuahua. On our last cruise, I talked myself hoarse explaining to people what he does and that not all service dogs are shepherds and labs. My husband has PTSD and his dog is unbelievable in what he does. One evening, a couple we were having drinks with, saw the dog in action and were amazed.

 

A true service dog is well mannered, doesn't bark, unless it is alerting for help and listens to his partner. Regarding dressing up the dog...I am guilty of this. The way I look at it, he's on a cruise too. He should dress appropriately. ;) Also, his coat is very thin and gets cold in heavy air conditioning or cold temps. His trainer actually suggested I dress him when it's cold. My husband says the dog has a better wardrobe than he has. It doesn't impede him from doing his job, so it's a bit of fun.

 

Eventually, the government will come up with an official registry or something like it, so the fakes will no longer be an issue. Tell then, we get hoarse. ;)

[Elaine5715]

We get the same thing. My husband's service dog is a chihuahua. On our last cruise, I talked myself hoarse explaining to people what he does and that not all service dogs are shepherds and labs. My husband has PTSD and his dog is unbelievable in what he does. One evening, a couple we were having drinks with, saw the dog in action and were amazed.

 

A true service dog is well mannered, doesn't bark, unless it is alerting for help and listens to his partner. Regarding dressing up the dog...I am guilty of this. The way I look at it, he's on a cruise too. He should dress appropriately. ;) Also, his coat is very thin and gets cold in heavy air conditioning or cold temps. His trainer actually suggested I dress him when it's cold. My husband says the dog has a better wardrobe than he has. It doesn't impede him from doing his job, so it's a bit of fun.

 

Eventually, the government will come up with an official registry or something like it, so the fakes will no longer be an issue. Tell then, we get hoarse. ;)

 

Put him in a suit and tie :)

[kitty9]

Well they are service trained. They do not ever have accidents. They do not bark unless my husband is going to seize. They do not cuddle anyone but me- frankly I don't even know if they register a stranger's presence. I would tolerate you approaching my dogs if you were friendly but they would not approach you.

 

Why would you assume a disabled members' service animals were all ready to per and piss all over and wanting to jump up on laps? Yours is the exact attitude I fear.

 

The problem is that some people are bringing dogs that are pets, not service animals. I saw one woman pushing her 5 lb dog in a buggy. I asked her what was up with this dog and she fully admitted she bought fake papers that it was a service animal, but she refused to leave her precious home. On another cruise, a woman brought her Pug, claiming it was a service dog, but this pup pooped everywhere, including the theater, buffet and hallways (I nearly ran over a pile in the hall outside my cabin). She claimed this dog warned her of seizures, but every single night, she was seen in the casino for hours on end, without the dog.

 

Emotional support animals are not covered under the ADA, but cruise lines don't have the balls to tell these people NO, that ES animals are not allowed. I just read an article about a woman who insisted she had an ES tarantula. The airline permitted it on board and the woman let it get out, freaking the entire plane. Unfortunately, people abuse the system.

 

BTW, I'm disabled and had a specially trained German Shepard Dog as a service animal.

[Zeno]

Well-trained legitimate Service Dogs doing their jobs are never a problem. I know - I used to work with a man who had a service dog and she was NEVER a problem or an issue or glared at. As others have pointed out a legitimate service dog is scarcely noticeable BECAUSE they are actually doing a job and have been thoroughly trained in public behaviour.

 

Poorly trained Pets masquerading as service dogs - BIG problem. (Although the real problem is their owners.)