Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[Caribbean Chris]

11 hours ago, MelanieDyer said:

Does anyone have information on requirements for cruising with SD to Belize and Roatan?

 

Best source is usually the APHIS website:

 

For Belize: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-belize

 

but APHIS has not been provided info by Honduras:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/unknown-requirements-pet-travel-green-banner-and-text

 

When we went to Honduras a few years ago via ship, I never found info, so was prepared for the dog to stay aboard. However, the officials apparently accepted the same general documentation we possessed for other ports because we were allowed to go ashore.

Edited May 20, 2019 by Caribbean Chris

[Caribbean Chris]

On 5/18/2019 at 1:04 PM, bobbijooneal said:

My family will be traveling to Cuba in August 2019.  Wondering if anyone has taken their service dog there and what your experience was?  Did you have any trouble with the excursions and having a service dog with you?

 

Thanks!

 

I recall that you asked about this onCruise Critic in the past. In November/December 2018 there was information given from a poster named  Saiayoko who had taken his/her dog ashore in Cuba. The documentation that person took was a form 7001 issued by a USDA APHIS accredited vet and endorsed by a USDA APHIS service center veterinarian. The dog was inspected on arrival.

 

Always a good idea to try the search feature in the upper right part of the page. Or you can click previous pages (on my ipad it is page 813 of this forum) until you arrive at November 12, 2018, post 20302 onward. 

 

Edited May 20, 2019 by Caribbean Chris

[rangeley]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

I recall that you asked about this onCruise Critic in the past. In November/December 2018 there was information given from a poster named  Saiayoko who had taken his/her dog ashore in Cuba. The documentation that person took was a form 7001 issued by a USDA APHIS accredited vet and endorsed by a USDA APHIS service center veterinarian. The dog was inspected on arrival.

 

Always a good idea to try the search feature in the upper right part of the page. Or you can click previous pages (on my ipad it is page 813 of this forum) until you arrive at November 12, 2018, post 20302 onward. 

 

Did Cuba change? I heard you could not bring your dog. 

[Caribbean Chris]

46 minutes ago, rangeley said:

Did Cuba change? I heard you could not bring your dog. 

 

I haven't heard any recent reports - most recent was that person who posted in November about taking their dog. There's nothing on the APHIS website.

 

But things have been in a state of uncertainty between the US and Cuba again lately...so I'd guess nobody really knows what could happen for tourism.

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

I haven't heard any recent reports - most recent was that person who posted in November about taking their dog. There's nothing on the APHIS website.

 

But things have been in a state of uncertainty between the US and Cuba again lately...so I'd guess nobody really knows what could happen for tourism.

I asked my Vet about entering Cuba with my SD and he suggested NOT taking Horton into Port.  He said their rules and regulations are unclear on how we would be treated and suggested we wait until the current administration is a more "immigration friendly" one [sorry, I don't mean to be stirring politico stuff!]

[rangeley]

6 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

I asked my Vet about entering Cuba with my SD and he suggested NOT taking Horton into Port.  He said their rules and regulations are unclear on how we would be treated and suggested we wait until the current administration is a more "immigration friendly" one [sorry, I don't mean to be stirring politico stuff!]

The administration is not going to be more Cuba friendly. We will not be going there. I hear they are terrible for wheelchairs anyway. Just like all the other islands. 

[rangeley]

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

Edited May 20, 2019 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

OMG!  Cindy, I'm sitting here crying.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  As difficult as it is, it's so good to know that our babies are treated so wonderfully and loved by everyone, cookies, pizza & donuts....so cute!  What a tough job they have......

 

You must be so excited about cruising with Oakland, a whole new experience.  I remember Horton's first was quite eventful and so different than cruising with Brenny.

 

Since I chose home hospice with Brenda my Vets office had a kazillion questions for me about the experience.  I swear, I was in such a fog, I really had to think very hard about it all.

[rangeley]

11 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

OMG!  Cindy, I'm sitting here crying.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  As difficult as it is, it's so good to know that our babies are treated so wonderfully and loved by everyone, cookies, pizza & donuts....so cute!  What a tough job they have......

 

You must be so excited about cruising with Oakland, a whole new experience.  I remember Horton's first was quite eventful and so different than cruising with Brenny.

 

Since I chose home hospice with Brenda my Vets office had a kazillion questions for me about the experience.  I swear, I was in such a fog, I really had to think very hard about it all.

I don't know how they do it Roz. But glad to know they took care of our boy and made him happy with his favorite thing... Food. 

 

Very excited about cruising with Oakland. He is well behaved and have no doubt he will be a hit with the passengers. He loves meeting new people just like the last one. It should be fun! 

[Plant]

I saw on a FB post, someone with a Service Dog whose dog had a vest that said to ignore him.  Is this something I should do?  I usually say to the owner, "what a sweet dog" and smile at the dog, maybe say hi.  Is this considered rude?  

Thanks

[wizard-of-roz]

11 hours ago, rangeley said:

I don't know how they do it Roz. But glad to know they took care of our boy and made him happy with his favorite thing... Food. 

Very excited about cruising with Oakland. He is well behaved and have no doubt he will be a hit with the passengers. He loves meeting new people just like the last one. It should be fun! 

We're so lucky to have a CCI dog aren't we!  💕

[wizard-of-roz]

38 minutes ago, Plant said:

I saw on a FB post, someone with a Service Dog whose dog had a vest that said to ignore him.  Is something I should do?  I usually say to the owner, "what a sweet dog" and smile at the dog, maybe say hi.  Is this considered rude?  

Thanks

It's never a good idea to touch/talk or get eye contact with a Service Dog.  It actually can be quite dangerous for the handler, if the dog is distracted from it's duties.  You may approach the handler and ask if you may pat and/or talk to his/her dog.

 

Thank you for your concern and for your good questions.

[Plant]

Thanks Roz!  I'm glad to know that.  I don't expect to pet the dog, but I didn't know I should ignore him/her.  Will do that in the future until given permission to talk to the dog ☺️.

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, Plant said:

Thanks Roz!  I'm glad to know that.  I don't expect to pet the dog, but I didn't know I should ignore him/her.  Will do that in the future until given permission to talk to the dog ☺️.

You are so welcome!  

[Caribbean Chris]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:49 PM, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

[DUTRAVEL]

On 5/20/2019 at 12:49 PM, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

Have a great time in Bermuda - we enjoyed our cruise stop there in November and their Government Vet was so accommodating. 

 

I love this story about the vet and the love and care they gave Wexler.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

15 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

It better be!

[rangeley]

Oak is ready to go. Cleared by the ship and Bermuda. So excited to see how things go. I will prob be on facebook for the week so maybe Roz can check on us. Luckily Wexlers life jacket fits Oakland. Gave him a bath this morning. He's so good! 

[Caribbean Chris]

Oakland, you are such a handsome boy! All suited up and ready to work on board and ashore! Have a wonderful trip, you three. What ship are you on?

[Caribbean Chris]

Ray got a great report today from our wonderful local animal eye specialist, Dr. Salisbury, who participates every May in the ACVO free eye exam for service dogs. No change in her cataracts, and the doctor says there’s typically only a 5% chance for Labradors that they could progress further.

 

I really am grateful for these vets who are part of the annual ACVO program. The doctor said she was much better behaved than her two previous patients. I love my Good Girl!

[rangeley]

28 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Oakland, you are such a handsome boy! All suited up and ready to work on board and ashore! Have a wonderful trip, you three. What ship are you on?

On the NCL Gem right out of Boston. My son and dil are going with us. 

[rangeley]

17 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Ray got a great report today from our wonderful local animal eye specialist, Dr. Salisbury, who participates every May in the ACVO free eye exam for service dogs. No change in her cataracts, and the doctor says there’s typically only a 5% chance for Labradors that they could progress further.

 

I really am grateful for these vets who are part of the annual ACVO program. The doctor said she was much better behaved than her two previous patients. I love my Good Girl!

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

[Caribbean Chris]

12 minutes ago, rangeley said:

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

 

Wow, that’s a scary story. Yikes. You were so smart to get another opinion, and I’m so glad Wexler didn’t go through that drastic surgery unnecessarily!

[alexspepa]

On 5/22/2019 at 5:27 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

Chris that is such a beautiful sentiment...I wish you would write a book about the experiences you and Roz and the other Service Dog owners as well as the Puppy Raisers have had.

[Miki_moto]

2 hours ago, rangeley said:

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

 

Yikes!  Thank heaven for second opinions!

 

Nico is my second service dog to take advantage of the ACVO exams.  When we had our yearly public access test in April, the trainer casually mentioned that his eyes looked a ‘little cloudy’ but it may only be the light.  I was very relieved that he got a clean bill of health from the ACVO vet.

 

We sail in exactly four weeks - not that I’m counting!!!  I’ve been advised that the ship has doggie life jackets in all sizes and Nico’s pirate collar is ready.  Now if I can figure out how to alter his bow tie, we’ll be good to go!