Yes I’ve had a similar situation with a Disney cast member and my service dog. While going through security, one of the cast members started interacting with my dog and petting her. It clearly states on her vest, to not touch and/or interact with my dog. As a result, my dog was a bit agitated from the cast member wanting to pet her and the supervisor walked over to me and asked me 1) is she a service animal and 2) what tasks she performs. I answered and then he proceed to say, “well I don’t think she is one and if she gets agitated again, we will ask you to leave the park.” I replied, that it was the cast member’s fault to interacting with my dog and she got a bit excited as a result. He just shrugged his shoulders and I went through security and went on my way. The WHOLE time I was in the parks I was annoyed because that supervisor made me feel horrible as if I was lying about my service dog. On my way out of the parks later that evening, I went up to that supervisor and told him how he made me feel and that he was wrong to assume I was passing off my dog as a fake service animal. I am always prepared to confirm my status as I always bring my medical paperwork with me just in case. I proceeded to tell this man that he ruined my entire day with his remarks and that he needs to be careful how he speaks to people in my situation. Now I didn’t want to report him, but I wanted him to know what he did was wrong. As I was talking to him, he realized how he should have better approached the situation. He then told me that he reacted the way he did because a few days before, two other service dogs started fighting in the parks. Now fighting and getting excited are not the same thing. He figured my dog would do the same. I told him that every dog is different and every situation is different and for him to assume that my dog would do that is wrong. In any case, all Disney employees need to be better educated when it comes to ADA situations and how to deal with guests with disabilities and service animals.
Your dog isn’t a service dog. Service dogs don’t bite, they should have kicked you out to begin with. People like you are the reason why Disney is so dangerous for real handlers.
Disneyland is supposed to be the happiest place on earth. It seems that Disney corp is failing to provide this. Being harassed by any business regarding your disability and whether a human should be able to do the duties a service animal can do is a total violation of the ADA. Should report them to ADA. Disney should be able to provide proper training to all of their employees. Including those providing security. If you don’t, they will just do this again to the next person.
Give me a break. I have worked with and for disabled folks for 40+ years. I have taken hundreds of truly disabled guests to Disney. I doubt the validity of the situation and how it is described. I have seen people use the “disability” grift to gain special seating, jumping lines and more. I have personally seen fake casts, people “acting” autistic and FAKE PTSD issues to gain preferred treatment. I doubt the description that is provided of the cast members approach. And one small “woof” if it even happened is not the end of the world. So if such a small incident happened – and I say IF – perhaps you better stay at home.
Are you not allowed to ask questions or second guess a situation anymore with out a complaint. I’m in the medical field I see nothing wrong with asking questions people take questions to the next level too personal. This dog was not removed from the owner only a question was asked.
People these days sure are thin-skinned. Truly, Americans should be ashamed of the constant whining.
ALSO, it’s way TOO HOT in Florida to take dogs into a crowded park for entire days. People use animals for everything, without giving much thought to their comfort or well-being. I hope there’s a Karma for that.
I work in security and am a retired LEO that comes across service dogs or miniture ponies during events. These are the only 2 service animals per the ADA, not snakes, parrots, etc. There are only 2 questions you may ask of the owner, per ADA and they are:
Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
That is it, nothing else. There are no papers to show, certification cards, etc. to prove that it’s a Service Animal. Sad to say, businesses will not question people who come in with animals that are not either of the 2 noted by the law due to threats of lawsuits. This is one law that needs reveiwed.
ADA was good when it was for the disabled and those with disorders. However, people found ways to take advantage without being either. One can purchase a “service animal” vest on-line. Same with a disabled parking tag. Without needing to go through proper channels, more and more misused the system that was supposed to be for disabled and those with disorders.
Example: While at Fred Meyer, a lady was using the shopping cart rascal thing. She had a small dog in her lap. The signs on the doors DO state that ONLY service animals were allowed in the establishment. Whenever an employee got close, she insisted that it was her service animal. So far, nothing really wrong.
Then, while in the juice isle, I saw her again. She let her dog down on the ground. It peed on the floor. She picked it back up and left the isle. An employee ALSO saw that. He grabbed paper towels and cleaned it up. I asked him why he didn’t inform her that pets weren’t allowed in the store. His reply: “We’re told that we can’t ask or do anything about it. It’s against our policy to question — even if it’s obvious.”
Before one of my volunteer jobs filed for bankruptcy, one of my co-workers used to have a “therapy animal” for her anxiety. It was a ball python. Something tells me airlines won’t allow her to take her snake on a plane. And yet…a pet dog can go anywhere…as long as it’s wearing clothing.
Asking questions is a way to determine who is legit and who is simply bringing a pet into the park. Yet, growing up in a world that gives kids certificates for pooping (AKA: participation trophies & parents that take their kids outta’ school to catch the first release of movies; and complain that the schools aren’t teaching their kids)…
National fact finders know that Disney cast members are not trained on the dogs guest use. I have watched service aminals respond to their handlers medical trouble , if I wasn’t there that person would have died. Dog will bark to get attention of some one for help. Why not send people to class to learn what to watch for. Dogs do calm it’s handle when it comes to ptsd or heart issues.
Never ever touch a service Aminah with a vest on , it must maintain sight with handler to be effected.
There is a difference between a “service animal” and an “emotional support animal”. Service animals are specially trained by outside agencies (not the owner, as stated in the article) to perform specific tasks for the individuals who receive the animals from the agencies. Those dogs are trained to not bark or react to other animals. Emotional support animals do not necessarily go through such training. (Note that true service animals CAN be trained to also provide emotional support). True service animals can be in danger if non-trained animals get aggressive with the service animals, and attack them, which can actually cause a service animal trauma (since they are trained to not fight back) and therefore can cause them to lose their service animal designation. People trying to pass their pets or emotional support animals off as “service animals” when they are not actually professionally trained as service animals can cause real problems when they react to a real service animals who are doing their job. The Disney employees do need to learn how to correctly interact with service animals. However, they also need to protect the real service animals from the animals that are not trained, and pose a danger to real service animals or guests.
Danny O. had a lot of valid answers/comments. I agree. Also, it seems appropriate that anyone with a service animal in a business establishment, or theme park, etc., should be happy to answer questions and not take offense so readily. The woman with the dog AND the able-bodied friend shouldn’t be so “offended”. (Her sense of “entitlement” was showing!) Curiosity alone would prompt those questions from most people, although not all would actually ask.
I drove for Uber and Lyft about 10 years ago and if someone claimed their dog was a service dog we were not allowed to refuse them. They would be wearing nothing that identified them as a service dog. I had other people with allergies to think about and didn’t want hair all over my seats. I don’t see that it is shaming someone with a disability to ask about their dog.
Comments for Disney Security Sparks Outrage by Asking Disabled Guest’s Partner To Perform Service Animal Duties
Mkgbailey
Yes I’ve had a similar situation with a Disney cast member and my service dog. While going through security, one of the cast members started interacting with my dog and petting her. It clearly states on her vest, to not touch and/or interact with my dog. As a result, my dog was a bit agitated from the cast member wanting to pet her and the supervisor walked over to me and asked me 1) is she a service animal and 2) what tasks she performs. I answered and then he proceed to say, “well I don’t think she is one and if she gets agitated again, we will ask you to leave the park.” I replied, that it was the cast member’s fault to interacting with my dog and she got a bit excited as a result. He just shrugged his shoulders and I went through security and went on my way. The WHOLE time I was in the parks I was annoyed because that supervisor made me feel horrible as if I was lying about my service dog. On my way out of the parks later that evening, I went up to that supervisor and told him how he made me feel and that he was wrong to assume I was passing off my dog as a fake service animal. I am always prepared to confirm my status as I always bring my medical paperwork with me just in case. I proceeded to tell this man that he ruined my entire day with his remarks and that he needs to be careful how he speaks to people in my situation. Now I didn’t want to report him, but I wanted him to know what he did was wrong. As I was talking to him, he realized how he should have better approached the situation. He then told me that he reacted the way he did because a few days before, two other service dogs started fighting in the parks. Now fighting and getting excited are not the same thing. He figured my dog would do the same. I told him that every dog is different and every situation is different and for him to assume that my dog would do that is wrong. In any case, all Disney employees need to be better educated when it comes to ADA situations and how to deal with guests with disabilities and service animals.
Romelia
Your dog isn’t a service dog. Service dogs don’t bite, they should have kicked you out to begin with. People like you are the reason why Disney is so dangerous for real handlers.
Cj
Disneyland is supposed to be the happiest place on earth. It seems that Disney corp is failing to provide this. Being harassed by any business regarding your disability and whether a human should be able to do the duties a service animal can do is a total violation of the ADA. Should report them to ADA. Disney should be able to provide proper training to all of their employees. Including those providing security. If you don’t, they will just do this again to the next person.
Walt
Give me a break. I have worked with and for disabled folks for 40+ years. I have taken hundreds of truly disabled guests to Disney. I doubt the validity of the situation and how it is described. I have seen people use the “disability” grift to gain special seating, jumping lines and more. I have personally seen fake casts, people “acting” autistic and FAKE PTSD issues to gain preferred treatment. I doubt the description that is provided of the cast members approach. And one small “woof” if it even happened is not the end of the world. So if such a small incident happened – and I say IF – perhaps you better stay at home.
NJMOM
Are you not allowed to ask questions or second guess a situation anymore with out a complaint. I’m in the medical field I see nothing wrong with asking questions people take questions to the next level too personal. This dog was not removed from the owner only a question was asked.
NH
People these days sure are thin-skinned. Truly, Americans should be ashamed of the constant whining.
ALSO, it’s way TOO HOT in Florida to take dogs into a crowded park for entire days. People use animals for everything, without giving much thought to their comfort or well-being. I hope there’s a Karma for that.
T
I work in security and am a retired LEO that comes across service dogs or miniture ponies during events. These are the only 2 service animals per the ADA, not snakes, parrots, etc. There are only 2 questions you may ask of the owner, per ADA and they are:
Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
That is it, nothing else. There are no papers to show, certification cards, etc. to prove that it’s a Service Animal. Sad to say, businesses will not question people who come in with animals that are not either of the 2 noted by the law due to threats of lawsuits. This is one law that needs reveiwed.
Danny O.
ADA was good when it was for the disabled and those with disorders. However, people found ways to take advantage without being either. One can purchase a “service animal” vest on-line. Same with a disabled parking tag. Without needing to go through proper channels, more and more misused the system that was supposed to be for disabled and those with disorders.
Example: While at Fred Meyer, a lady was using the shopping cart rascal thing. She had a small dog in her lap. The signs on the doors DO state that ONLY service animals were allowed in the establishment. Whenever an employee got close, she insisted that it was her service animal. So far, nothing really wrong.
Then, while in the juice isle, I saw her again. She let her dog down on the ground. It peed on the floor. She picked it back up and left the isle. An employee ALSO saw that. He grabbed paper towels and cleaned it up. I asked him why he didn’t inform her that pets weren’t allowed in the store. His reply: “We’re told that we can’t ask or do anything about it. It’s against our policy to question — even if it’s obvious.”
Before one of my volunteer jobs filed for bankruptcy, one of my co-workers used to have a “therapy animal” for her anxiety. It was a ball python. Something tells me airlines won’t allow her to take her snake on a plane. And yet…a pet dog can go anywhere…as long as it’s wearing clothing.
Asking questions is a way to determine who is legit and who is simply bringing a pet into the park. Yet, growing up in a world that gives kids certificates for pooping (AKA: participation trophies & parents that take their kids outta’ school to catch the first release of movies; and complain that the schools aren’t teaching their kids)…
Kevin
National fact finders know that Disney cast members are not trained on the dogs guest use. I have watched service aminals respond to their handlers medical trouble , if I wasn’t there that person would have died. Dog will bark to get attention of some one for help. Why not send people to class to learn what to watch for. Dogs do calm it’s handle when it comes to ptsd or heart issues.
Never ever touch a service Aminah with a vest on , it must maintain sight with handler to be effected.
Dr. M
There is a difference between a “service animal” and an “emotional support animal”. Service animals are specially trained by outside agencies (not the owner, as stated in the article) to perform specific tasks for the individuals who receive the animals from the agencies. Those dogs are trained to not bark or react to other animals. Emotional support animals do not necessarily go through such training. (Note that true service animals CAN be trained to also provide emotional support). True service animals can be in danger if non-trained animals get aggressive with the service animals, and attack them, which can actually cause a service animal trauma (since they are trained to not fight back) and therefore can cause them to lose their service animal designation. People trying to pass their pets or emotional support animals off as “service animals” when they are not actually professionally trained as service animals can cause real problems when they react to a real service animals who are doing their job. The Disney employees do need to learn how to correctly interact with service animals. However, they also need to protect the real service animals from the animals that are not trained, and pose a danger to real service animals or guests.
Danny O.
Precisely.
OldFloridaGuy
Danny O. had a lot of valid answers/comments. I agree. Also, it seems appropriate that anyone with a service animal in a business establishment, or theme park, etc., should be happy to answer questions and not take offense so readily. The woman with the dog AND the able-bodied friend shouldn’t be so “offended”. (Her sense of “entitlement” was showing!) Curiosity alone would prompt those questions from most people, although not all would actually ask.
McKnight
I drove for Uber and Lyft about 10 years ago and if someone claimed their dog was a service dog we were not allowed to refuse them. They would be wearing nothing that identified them as a service dog. I had other people with allergies to think about and didn’t want hair all over my seats. I don’t see that it is shaming someone with a disability to ask about their dog.
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