Service Dog

[CasinoCruzGirl]

First let me say I am NOT bringing my dog on vacation with me. We received a letter today from special needs because we requested a scooter. On this letter there is an attachment who h askes what you might need, i.e. Stateroom needs, medical issues, medications, etc. one of the sections is Service Dogs. The very first question they ask is what service/task does your dog provide. Are they allowed to ask that question? I thought it wasn't allowed. Just curious about it.

Edited April 21, 2016 by CasinoCruzGirl

[ColinIllinois]

From NCL FAQ's.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line accepts service dogs that are trained to perform a specific task. A service dog may be needed for many different conditions, which would be acceptable under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

In accordance with the ADA, Norwegian Cruise Line does NOT accept “Emotional Support” dogs as service dogs, they CANNOT sail.

 

• Guests must provide copies of the dog’s current vaccination records that show all shots are up-to-date (including Rabies), as well as a USDA or International Health certificate.
  
• Guests are responsible for checking with all ports of call for any special requirements they may have. Guests are responsible for bringing all food, medication and life jacket for the dog.
  
• A sand box will be provided.
  

All guests traveling with service animals must book at least two weeks in advance to allow sufficient time to check with each port of call and provide Norwegian Cruise Line with all required documentation.

For additional information, call (866) 584-9756 (voice), fax (305) 468-2171, or send an e-mail to accessdesk@ncl.com, or have your travel agent contact us.

[Laszlo]

I think they should have the right to ask. Its been getting a little out of hand since anyone and the grandmother can get an Emotional Support Dog or Therapy Dog "Certificate" and paperwork from one of a dozen or so places on the internet.

 

I have no issues with a true guide or service dog, my mom used to raise Golden's who would go to guide service training. I have major issues when people who want to bring their pets to restaurants and other places like that sneaking by the system saying they are a therapy or emotional support dog

[TMC]

First let me say I am NOT bringing my dog on vacation with me. We received a letter today from special needs because we requested a scooter. On this letter there is an attachment who h askes what you might need, i.e. Stateroom needs, medical issues, medications, etc. one of the sections is Service Dogs. The very first question they ask is what service/task does your dog provide. Are they allowed to ask that question? I thought it wasn't allowed. Just curious about it.

 

Under the ADA laws that is the only thing they can ask. No questions about the person's condition, just what tasks the dog performs.

 

T

[Jenjer]

I think they should ask. They need to know. This whole emotional support animal thing is crazy. It seems the norm on flight now is at least one dog.

 

Just a few months ago I saw this beautiful black pom at the airport he had the biggest hair and walked right up to me (on a long leash). Being a pom mom I of course gushed I asked if I could pet him his owner in a conversation nearby said "oh yes" As I pet him I saw his red vest. I backed up and apologized to the owner I felt horrible because I have always taught my kids You never touch a working dog, you never ask to touch a working dog. Of course the owner was like "oh no its okay he loves people."

 

 

The more I thought about this dog I kept wondering why the red vest he didn't seem engaged enough to be a seizer or diabetic dog he defiantly wasn't a guide dog. I truly felt like he was a pet flying for free in his internet vest. I know he could have been a working dog but he sure didn't act like any I have known and I have know a few. A kid on my DD swim team had a diabetic dog. My sons soccer coach had one the flunked out on her last test (birds) but the minute that dog saw me on crutches she would not leave my side. I had a friend in college with a seeing eye dog. I love that people can work and train this animals to help so much.

 

I am all for true working dogs and I know they are not just for blind people but I am against pets on ships.

Edited April 21, 2016 by Jenjer

[mikeyd]

Could not agree more! The whole support dog thing is getting out of hand and they are becoming more popular.

 

How much longer until we have to deal with an annoying Yorkie or poodle who will never stop barking because their owner needs them for emotional support?

[mpffls]

Back in the day of Grand Cruising, ships welcomed pets in the higher classes. Even as late as the 60s, when I took my fist cruise, ships were equipped with kennels.

 

I have 2 Large yellow labs....the male has always traveled with us, car trips, and has stayed in some of the finest hotels in the country. He is the perfect gentleman! I know if we ever were to take him on a plane he would be perfect! Folks are astonished at behavior!

 

Our female....not so much....she is a 9yr old Puppy and will never be anything else! We try to make her feel better by saying she is going to the Spa...in reality - she is going to jail! when we travel.

 

All of that said I am confident I could order a vest for the good one and because of his behavior and breed no one would ever question it. I love him - but the fact is he is no a service dog.. and I think those folks that skirt the system are wrong.....I also understand not wanting to put your pet in cargo - I would never do that - but there are alternatives.

 

The Grand days of cruising with your pets are long gone, along with Steamer Trunks, traveling with a household staff and Steerage!

Downton Abby anyone?

 

trish

[brookie848]

There was an outstanding article a year or so ago about someone getting all sorts of animals certified as "emotional support" pets and then taking them places. This included a turkey, llama and snake. Of course, since everyone was afraid of offending her, no one stopped her. None of these animals, of course, were covered by the ADA.

 

Found the article:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/20/pets-allowed

 

And this why I'm glad NCL has this policy and hopefully it continues to be enforced.

[GeezerCouple]

It's really a shame that there is no "Certification" needed, similar to that required for handicapped parking permits.

 

For the people who *need* service animals, it can be life-changing or even life-saving.

 

And the "faux service dogs" just give it all a bad name.

 

By the way, the Queen Mary still has pet kennels for those who do wish to have Fluffy or Fido travel with them.

Apparently these kennels are so popular, they get booked far in advance, and during the coming dry dock, they are adding more.

 

Note that these pets are not allowed free run in the regular areas. There are areas where the owners can visit with their pets, take them for walks, etc., if they wish.

Otherwise, my understanding is that there is staff to care for the animals.

[NLH Arizona]

According to the ADA:

 

Q7. What questions can a covered entity's employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?

 

A. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability.

[Into Cruising]

Most Cunard ships still allow pets and do have a kennel on one of the upper decks. But they travel in the kennel, no in your room or around the ship.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

According to the ADA:

 

Q7. What questions can a covered entity's employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?

 

A. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability.

 

That's what I was looking for

[LrgPizza]

My dog provides a lot of emotional support for our family, but he doesn't like vests. :D

[DMH15]

My dog is everything to me and since I travel in suites I book her in a luxury suite at the doggie den when I travel. I can peek in thanks to the webcam.

 

Yeah, I miss her but she is a dog. Even though I might say she is my baby... I know she is a pet.

 

Now, just don,'t ask me about the crazy SIL.

[NLH Arizona]

My dog is everything to me and since I travel in suites I book her in a luxury suite at the doggie den when I travel. I can peek in thanks to the webcam.

 

Yeah, I miss her but she is a dog. Even though I might say she is my baby... I know she is a pet.

 

Now, just don,'t ask me about the crazy SIL.

I'm like you, my dog Sadie is everything to me. During the summer I go on road trips, so that she can join me (always stay in pet friendly houses). When I cruise or go on a vacation where she is not allowed, she goes to the petsitter, where she has another dog/dogs to play with.

 

People that pretend that their dogs are service dogs by lying just drives me crazy and I just hope that Karma pays them back twofold. Businesses have to be more savvy on what is allowed under the ADA and what is not allowed are emotional support/comfort dogs.

[cruisemainiac]

Could not agree more! The whole support dog thing is getting out of hand and they are becoming more popular.

 

How much longer until we have to deal with an annoying Yorkie or poodle who will never stop barking because their owner needs them for emotional support?

 

So who needs who for "emotional support"?

[LMaxwell]

The very first question they ask is what service/task does your dog provide. Are they allowed to ask that question?

 

Yes

[Wavesprite]

I think that there is a real need for an emotional support animal. I have a friend who came back from Afghanistan with severe PTSD and after he got his service dog he was so much better off. That dog provides constant comfort, companionship and support....

 

So I don't' think that everyone should be judging ALL of the emotional support animals out there.

[NLH Arizona]

I think that there is a real need for an emotional support animal. I have a friend who came back from Afghanistan with severe PTSD and after he got his service dog he was so much better off. That dog provides constant comfort, companionship and support....

 

So I don't' think that everyone should be judging ALL of the emotional support animals out there.

Under the ADA, PTSD is a disability, therefore, covered under the ADA.

 

From the ADA website: Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.

 

You might tell you friend to check into free pet insurance for his dog.

 

Veterans with service canines can now get free pet health insurance for their dogs through a Veterans Affairs Department program. The insurance will cover virtually all medical costs for the dogs.

 

The Military Times reports the VA has contracted with pet health insurance company Trupanion to cover the veterans' cost for preventative care, emergency care, and medications.

 

To qualify, the dogs must be certified by the VA as service dogs. Dogs owned by the VA that provide assistance to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also eligible for the program.

 

A spokeswoman for Trupanion told DVM60 magazine (a publication for veterinarians) that the process is streamlined so that the pet insurance company pays the veterinarian directly:

 

“All veterinarians have to do is send us the bill.

 

“Whether it’s a regular veterinary practice or an emergency hospital in the middle of the night—they can call us at any time.

 

“They then just need to e-mail or fax the bill to us and we can pay them directly through Vet Direct Pay, a system that allows them to receive direct payment."

[bruadhin]

That's what I was looking for

 

Please keep one thing in mind. NCL may have to comply with the ADA to an extend, no foreign port does. To give them the benefit of the doubt, they may not be asking to discriminate against a guest, but to ensure there are no issues for the animal, the guest or the ship (which NCL is most concerned about).

[blackwing]

I think that there is a real need for an emotional support animal. I have a friend who came back from Afghanistan with severe PTSD and after he got his service dog he was so much better off. That dog provides constant comfort, companionship and support....

 

So I don't' think that everyone should be judging ALL of the emotional support animals out there.

Nobody is questioning the need for emotional support animals. People are questioning those that have zero need for emotional support but send away for the certificate and vest so that their dog can fly with them for free and go into restaurants and public spaces where dogs otherwise would not be allowed.

 

The same type of people who have a handicapped parking hang tag because they drive grandma to the store once a week, and then proceed to use the hang tag for their perfectly abled bodied self 99% of the other time.

 

I agree that Karma owes these types of people a visit.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I think that there is a real need for an emotional support animal. I have a friend who came back from Afghanistan with severe PTSD and after he got his service dog he was so much better off. That dog provides constant comfort, companionship and support....

 

So I don't' think that everyone should be judging ALL of the emotional support animals out there.

 

That's a service dog not an emotional support dog. :)

[Askmelanie]

When I was on the Escape in January, there was a poodle in the Vibe. The dog didn't wear any service vest. It was cute and didn't bother anyone, but it was very hot for her to walk on the decking. The family kept her away from people and was no bother.

[Warm-Water Diver]

We were on the Escape this past December and a mother and her son (I assume) were out at the Main Pool on all at-sea days (3 total) with their very small black Pomeranian in tow. It was on the lounge chair with them eating drinking etc. all morning and afternoon long. I did not observe a vest or "service dog" indications on it whatsoever.

 

Now I'm not judging but my wife and I (and several other fellow sunbathers) all thought that this dog was most likelly a "pet brought on vacation" under the emotional/support companion definition.

 

Also a sidenote: both the mother and son were extremely offended when kids and adults alike stopped by throughout the day to ask to pet their dog only to be yelled at and shooed away routinely. Witnessing this gave me a very bad taste in the mouth so to speak.

 

I have 3 mini-dachshunds and love them to death like they were my own kids. BUT, I would never dare try to bring them on vacation and try to pas them off for companionship/comfort service dogs. Jut not right..

[cml4958]

We were on the Escape this past December and a mother and her son (I assume) were out at the Main Pool on all at-sea days (3 total) with their very small black Pomeranian in tow. It was on the lounge chair with them eating drinking etc. all morning and afternoon long. I did not observe a vest or "service dog" indications on it whatsoever.

 

Now I'm not judging but my wife and I (and several other fellow sunbathers) all thought that this dog was most likelly a "pet brought on vacation" under the emotional/support companion definition.

 

Also a sidenote: both the mother and son were extremely offended when kids and adults alike stopped by throughout the day to ask to pet their dog only to be yelled at and shooed away routinely. Witnessing this gave me a very bad taste in the mouth so to speak.

 

I have 3 mini-dachshunds and love them to death like they were my own kids. BUT, I would never dare try to bring them on vacation and try to pas them off for companionship/comfort service dogs. Jut not right..

 

Well, actually you are judging.

 

I would imagine that the child might have diabetes or some other issue that you can't see. I know they are training dogs now to be able to scent when blood sugar levels aren't right. For that purpose, size wouldn't matter and a small dog would actually be better. Furthermore, with the mother and son both discouraging attention, that speaks to the dog actually being a service dog. When a service dog is working, you aren't supposed to interact with the animal especially without asking the owner's permission. And a service dog is not required to wear a vest.

Edited April 22, 2016 by cml4958