Dogs in the parks

[DebR]

I got back on Saturday from my holiday staying at All Star Results. I was shocked to see how many dogs were in the parks, each day I saw at least 3 dogs, only one of these was a guide dog with a harness on. Some of the others had 'service dog' written on a lead that I see you can buy on eBay. One of these dogs really worried me, the small dog was literally being pulled around a very busy Epcot world showcase and the dog looked terrified. I know that service animals can enter the park with their owners, as they should, but doesn't Disney check that these animals are properly trained service animals and not just dogs with a lead brought off eBay. I can see there being an incident soon and someone being hurt.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by DebR

I know that service animals can enter the park with their owners, as they should, but doesn't Disney check that these animals are properly trained service animals and not just dogs with a lead brought off eBay.

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I'm not sure how Disney CMs would check that they are "properly trained service animals"? Service animals can perform a variety of different services for many different conditions. The US law does not allow Disney to ask for any sort of identification or documentation, they cannot ask for the animal to perform it's service as a demonstration, and they are only allowed a very limited amount of questioning about the service animal. The law states:

"When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two 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 cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task".

[Harry]

I'll be honest I'd be far far more worried about some of the people you meet in the parks before some small canine!

[tka]

When we were at Epcot in April this year, I passed a woman who was carrying a DACHSHUND in her arms... I LOVE them, so I was asking her about the dog, just asking how old he/she was and saying how beautiful he/she was. she was very stand-offish with me and said it's a dog in training. the dog had no lead on and nothing visible to say it was a dog in training. I quickly apologised and went on my way.

Later that night when leaving the park after the fireworks, I passed a girl with her Chihuahua (or similar) in her handbag...

[tka]

And no, they don't allow emotional support pets... I did just have that thought...

"
Are emotional support dogs allowed at Disney World?

All resorts on property will accommodate service dogs in their rooms and all service dogs with proper identification will be allowed into the parks. ... Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA guidelines."

[Eeyore rocks]

I noticed a lot more dogs in the parks too... made me miss mine even more. 🙂

[Mole83]

bustle/p/can-you-bri...-park-11910069

[Wordsworth]

I too was surprised by the number of service dogs in the park. I saw the same group in Epcot on a couple of different days where I think there was some crowd training going on. I love dogs so it’s a shame you can’t pet them.

[Susanjane]

When we were in Epcot a couple of weeks ago there were 2 woman in the Frozen queue with a service dog each (labradors). Didn't see if the dogs also had to go on the ride.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Mole83

bustle/p/can-you-bri...-park-11910069

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Just thought I'd point out that the above link is talking about Disneyland, not Disney World.

Most of the article also applies to Disney World. However some Disney World hotels do allow dogs to be kept in the rooms (you do have to pay extra for this and it's not cheap). This may have led to an increase in the number of service dogs - and dogs that owners claim to be service animals - seen in the parks.

As Harry says, I'd be more worried about some of the people you see in the parks than the occasional dog.