Emotional Support Animals are pets that require no training – they’re not the same as Service Dogs and are not allowed to go everywhere with their handlers like Service Dogs are.
The vet got bad information and bought a scam ID online. There’s no legitimate online registry for Service or Emotional Support Animals.
I work with veterans. Emotional support animals, as important as they are, are not ADA certified/approved. Get your pet properly certified and no problem. Otherwise, people are going to start bringing their emotional support ferrets and potbellies pigs.
You’re the problem. This guy thought he did have his dog “properly certified”. But service dogs aren’t legally certified in the US. Those certifications and registrations are scams. Brush up on your ADA.
There is no such thing as certification for service animals, please stop spreading misinformation, it causes too many problems for legitimate service animals.
WDW was 100% correct. Comfort is not a task. If this man had trained his dog to do a certain task that provided comfort due to PTSD or to lead him away from the triggering situation, it would be a service dog. Keeping him calm is not a task. And there are no certifications or registrations recognized by the ADA.
Emotional support animals are not the same as service animals and emotional support animals do not have the same level of training, which is why they do not have the same protections as service animals.
That being said, a service animal may also serve as an emotional support animal by the nature of being an animal, but they have to be trained to perform specific tasks.
And there are no certifications for service animals, although some states, such as California issue a special dog tag for service animals, this is not a certification though, it is just when you go to get the dog license.
The veteran can apply to several agency to get a service dog. Also they could use the PAWS act to cover the cost. Instead they want an ESA. Follow the law! Just because you are a veteran doesn’t mean you cab break federal law. I am a veteran 100% disabled and i am currently waiting on a properly trained service dog. Disney did the right thing. He put all the other service animals in harms way if he brings his poorly trained ESA with him.
I am now on my third service dog. Emotional support dogs do not have the same training that those of us with service dogs have. Those trying to circumvent the rules make it difficult for those with service dogs. This veteran should have gotten his dog trainer to perform specific talks to help mitigate his PTSD.
Thank you to all who have served in our military!
I am not bashing any vet, altho the article involves a vet or anyone else with a disability. I have concerns about a person who must bring an ESA to any park. If you need an ESA to visit a park that could trigger anxiety or any other emotions or stress, why attend the park in the first place? If there are triggers in the park for you, what does that do to the ESA?
I’m sorry the veteran feels disrespected but his perception is based on the fact that he has been given incorrect information in the past.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines what is a Service Animal (and what isn’t) and where they are allowed. Specifically, the ADA specifies that only dogs and miniature horses can be Service Animals under the law, and that the thing that makes a Service Animal a Service Animal is that they are individually trained to do tasks that directly mitigate the disability. Tasks are physical actions the dog is trained to do, which happen on command or cue.
The ADA is also very clear that a dog who provides “comfort” or “emotional support” by its PRESENCE (rather than by doing tasks) does not count as a Service Animal and is therefore not allowed to accompany the handler in places that don’t generally allow pets. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are “pets with a prescription” but still pets.
If the Veteran was showing an ID card from a registration website, he’s been scammed. While there are some legitimate Service Dog programs that give their graduates ID cards, there are NO legitimate online registries for Service Dogs (or ESAs).
He needs to become educated on what is a Service Animal and what is an ESA and do better. The park did nothing wrong.
Comments for Veteran Claims Discrimination After Emotional Support Dog Was Kicked Out of Disney World
Gary
Disney aught to know better than that to a fellow vet!
Kat
A “fellow vet” should respect the laws and get a service dog. If his dog is one, he needs to have trained tasks and be able to tell what they are.
Chris
Disney is not in the wrong here, the veteran is.
Emotional Support Animals are pets that require no training – they’re not the same as Service Dogs and are not allowed to go everywhere with their handlers like Service Dogs are.
The vet got bad information and bought a scam ID online. There’s no legitimate online registry for Service or Emotional Support Animals.
Scott
I work with veterans. Emotional support animals, as important as they are, are not ADA certified/approved. Get your pet properly certified and no problem. Otherwise, people are going to start bringing their emotional support ferrets and potbellies pigs.
Kat
You’re the problem. This guy thought he did have his dog “properly certified”. But service dogs aren’t legally certified in the US. Those certifications and registrations are scams. Brush up on your ADA.
Chris
There is no such thing as certification for service animals, please stop spreading misinformation, it causes too many problems for legitimate service animals.
Kat
WDW was 100% correct. Comfort is not a task. If this man had trained his dog to do a certain task that provided comfort due to PTSD or to lead him away from the triggering situation, it would be a service dog. Keeping him calm is not a task. And there are no certifications or registrations recognized by the ADA.
Chris
Emotional support animals are not the same as service animals and emotional support animals do not have the same level of training, which is why they do not have the same protections as service animals.
That being said, a service animal may also serve as an emotional support animal by the nature of being an animal, but they have to be trained to perform specific tasks.
And there are no certifications for service animals, although some states, such as California issue a special dog tag for service animals, this is not a certification though, it is just when you go to get the dog license.
Jamie
The veteran can apply to several agency to get a service dog. Also they could use the PAWS act to cover the cost. Instead they want an ESA. Follow the law! Just because you are a veteran doesn’t mean you cab break federal law. I am a veteran 100% disabled and i am currently waiting on a properly trained service dog. Disney did the right thing. He put all the other service animals in harms way if he brings his poorly trained ESA with him.
SuzyC
I am now on my third service dog. Emotional support dogs do not have the same training that those of us with service dogs have. Those trying to circumvent the rules make it difficult for those with service dogs. This veteran should have gotten his dog trainer to perform specific talks to help mitigate his PTSD.
P.C. Knott
Thank you to all who have served in our military!
I am not bashing any vet, altho the article involves a vet or anyone else with a disability. I have concerns about a person who must bring an ESA to any park. If you need an ESA to visit a park that could trigger anxiety or any other emotions or stress, why attend the park in the first place? If there are triggers in the park for you, what does that do to the ESA?
Jerry
PTSD disorder and going to Disney. That is freakin priceless
NinaS
Why is that priceless?
I am service-connected for PTSD and have DVC, going at least every 3rd year.
Chris
I’m sorry the veteran feels disrespected but his perception is based on the fact that he has been given incorrect information in the past.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines what is a Service Animal (and what isn’t) and where they are allowed. Specifically, the ADA specifies that only dogs and miniature horses can be Service Animals under the law, and that the thing that makes a Service Animal a Service Animal is that they are individually trained to do tasks that directly mitigate the disability. Tasks are physical actions the dog is trained to do, which happen on command or cue.
The ADA is also very clear that a dog who provides “comfort” or “emotional support” by its PRESENCE (rather than by doing tasks) does not count as a Service Animal and is therefore not allowed to accompany the handler in places that don’t generally allow pets. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are “pets with a prescription” but still pets.
If the Veteran was showing an ID card from a registration website, he’s been scammed. While there are some legitimate Service Dog programs that give their graduates ID cards, there are NO legitimate online registries for Service Dogs (or ESAs).
He needs to become educated on what is a Service Animal and what is an ESA and do better. The park did nothing wrong.
Comments are closed.