Two dogs in a stroller on Sillouette

[neverbeenhere]

I thought Celebrity was providing the drink packages as emotional support for the passengers. :confused::rolleyes:

[wwcruisers]

I have previously brought my service llama on cruises I wonder if I can bring a second now

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Now you've done it! After reading this, my DH will want to bring his apnea parrot onboard! :eek:;)

[dkjretired]

I thought Celebrity was providing the drink packages as emotional support for the passengers. :confused::rolleyes:

 

So, my wife can bring me for free....

[4774Papa]

Celebrity's policy on service dogs addresses this:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-service-animals?subtab=true

 

Of course while true service dogs are highly trained and presumably their owners would be able to follow the policy on this, a fake service dog would be less likely to be trained enough to follow these rules and more apt to have "accidents" around the ship.

I like this part:

 

We provide 4 feet by 4 feet relief areas with cypress mulch to accommodate service dogs. Sod for sailings from the U.S. can be provided if request in advance and is available. Relief areas are provided on a shared basis with other service dogs onboard. Please note that The Lawn Club on Solstice class ships is not designated as a relief area.

[dkjretired]

actually a reporter for the New Yorker magazine wrote about an experiment where she used some of the following animals as therapy animals and got admittance to just about everywhere:

 

llama

pig

snake

turtle and more...here is the link, it is a funny read...sad too.

 

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

 

Worked in a supermarket years ago and a woman came in regularly with a service parakeet for some type of neck balance issue.

[wwcruisers]

New level of ridiculous.

 

What would really make me angry is if the dog owners reserved deck chairs for the dogs. Instead of chair hogs would they be called "chair dogs?" :D

 

LOL -- you have to admit that a German Shepherd would be more effective at saving a chair than a flip flop, or paperback book! ;)

 

(And not to go totally OT here, but I agree with you that the Summit pool butlers don't do anything to enforce the chair policy :rolleyes: -- we complained, too.)

Edited January 8, 2015 by wwcruisers

[dkjretired]

Based on Celebrity's policy:

 

"Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful, but not required (such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses and/or tags or the credible verbal assurance of the person with a disability using the animal)."

 

ANY dog can be brought on the ship since no documentation is required.

 

That's absurd!

 

That's federal law, don't blame Celebrity.... Same applies to hotels, restaurants and any place where the public is allowed into. I've seen service dogs with people in Casino's which must be hell on the hearing of the dogs. Can't ask for documentation.

Edited January 8, 2015 by dkjretired

[DirtyDawg]

actually a reporter for the New Yorker magazine wrote about an experiment where she used some of the following animals as therapy animals and got admittance to just about everywhere:

 

llama

pig

snake

turtle and more...here is the link, it is a funny read...sad too.

 

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

 

My DW is in education for a professional organization and between the various professional organizations in Canada and the U.S. this is also an issue when students bring emotional support animals with them to write their exams. I've heard her tell stories about students bringing three of those four types that you listed. The best one though was a support iguana. :eek: As I understand it, as long as a medical professional has certified that the support animal is needed, the students get to bring them to the exams.

 

So I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see more strollered Yorkie's, Miss Piggie's, Yertle's, Kaa's, and even a few Fernando Lamas' on our future cruises.:D

[alexspepa]

Can't ask for documentation.

 

There is currently no such real documentation - many of the legitimate Service Dog training facilities and owners for the dogs are pushing for just that - a national registry for real and only real Service Animals.

 

unfortunately a quick search of Google shows many sites willing to issue fake documents; as Cle-Guy said, anyone possessing such a certificate is most likely scamming the system. Probably the only real document would be a graduation diploma from a recognized training facility such as CCI.

[cle-guy]

From the ADA Website, ONLY dogs and in certain circumstance, miniature horses (yes mini horses) are approved service animals and offered protection under the ADA. No cats, iguanas, parakeets...these people are deliberately skirting the ADA regulation.

 

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

 

The Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act provide additional and broader regulations not covered by ADA regulations, which may allow other animals in housing and airliners under the regulations.

[Christine Frances]

My DW is in education for a professional organization and between the various professional organizations in Canada and the U.S. this is also an issue when students bring emotional support animals with them to write their exams. I've heard her tell stories about students bringing three of those four types that you listed. The best one though was a support iguana. :eek: As I understand it, as long as a medical professional has certified that the support animal is needed, the students get to bring them to the exams.

 

So I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see more strollered Yorkie's, Miss Piggie's, Yertle's, Kaa's, and even a few Fernando Lamas' on our future cruises.:D

 

Don't need a medical professional! Just $189 + S&H Apparently you can "Certify" your own dog lol

 

http://www.servicedogsamerica.org/certification/

[cle-guy]

I became interested in this topic this spring. I wanted do bring my Aunt on a TA with me in the PH, as she hates flying and thought this would be a good trip and she could take Cunard home. She wanted to bring her service animal. The celebrity website specifically stated that no service animals were allowed to take this TA as it ended in the UK, and only Cunard has the licenses to allow animals to be brought into the UK. A call to Celebrity confirmed this to me, she would not be allowed to board the ship.

 

I researched and found this to be true.

 

Well, on the ship, found at least 3 people with animals and perhaps even the 2 in crib this thread is about, and asked but got no replies as to how they could take their "service animals" even though the UK boarder control says animals can only enter via certain ships, fries and airlines, not any of these. It really ticked me off to have her miss this amazing trip and get no reason or explanation.

 

So it seems if you just show up and pitch a fit at the pier, they let anyone by just to avoid the arguments I guess and let the people deL with immigration on the other side themselves.

 

And I am aware of tall the paperwork, shots, microchipping, etc required to transport a dog internationally (my prior job I had an employee we had to manage this issue with traveling internationally, though by Air), all that was in order, but for the regulation of only Cunard has the necessary license to allow dogs entry to the UK.

[patterson3]

I became interested in this topic this spring. I wanted do bring my Aunt on a TA with me in the PH, as she hates flying and thought this would be a good trip and she could take Cunard home. She wanted to bring her service animal. The celebrity website specifically stated that no service animals were allowed to take this TA as it ended in the UK, and only Cunard has the licenses to allow animals to be brought into the UK. A call to Celebrity confirmed this to me, she would not be allowed to board the ship.

 

I researched and found this to be true.

 

Well, on the ship, found at least 3 people with animals and perhaps even the 2 in crib this thread is about, and asked but got no replies as to how they could take their "service animals" even though the UK boarder control says animals can only enter via certain ships, fries and airlines, not any of these. It really ticked me off to have her miss this amazing trip and get no reason or explanation.

 

So it seems if you just show up and pitch a fit at the pier, they let anyone by just to avoid the arguments I guess and let the people deL with immigration on the other side themselves.

 

And I am aware of tall the paperwork, shots, microchipping, etc required to transport a dog internationally (my prior job I had an employee we had to manage this issue with traveling internationally, though by Air), all that was in order, but for the regulation of only Cunard has the necessary license to allow dogs entry to the UK.

 

That's interesting. I'd be interested to find out if those people who had brought dogs onboard faced any resistance from UK authorities upon debarkation.

[cle-guy]

That's interesting. I'd be interested to find out if those people who had brought dogs onboard faced any resistance from UK authorities upon debarkation.

 

Here's the UK's current list of authorized carriers and routes for "assistance animals". There is a different list for transit of "pets".

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/218804/pets-assistance-dogs-routes-sea-rail.pdf

[dkjretired]

There is currently no such real documentation - many of the legitimate Service Dog training facilities and owners for the dogs are pushing for just that - a national registry for real and only real Service Animals.

 

unfortunately a quick search of Google shows many sites willing to issue fake documents; as Cle-Guy said, anyone possessing such a certificate is most likely scamming the system. Probably the only real document would be a graduation diploma from a recognized training facility such as CCI.

 

Just pointing it out to the poster I quoted that she can't blame Celebrity since they are following Federal Law.

[ghstudio]

Just pointing it out to the poster I quoted that she can't blame Celebrity since they are following Federal Law.

 

And I thank you....I'm registering both of my irish wolfhounds today.

[NLH Arizona]

Interesting information and a way we can all help. If we all stand up to these posers who bring in un-trained dogs, maybe pretty soon they will stop and will give the respect that is due to well trained service dogs.

 

Service Dogs in Public Should NOT:

 

 

◾Urinate or defecate inappropriately. If a dog isn’t house trained, she doesn’t belong in public, Service Dog or not. For younger Service Dogs in Training, outings should be short enough to provide plenty of opportunities to make trips outside. “Accidents” are one of the few reasons a business can exclude a Service Dog team and there are no excuses for having a Service Dog who isn’t house trained. On very, very, very, very rare occasions, a Service Dog may truly be sick or have an upset belly and an accident is unavoidable, but those occurrences are definitely an exception and not to be expected from Service Dogs.

◾Whine, bark, grumble, growl or make other noises. An exception may be if the whining is an alert, such as to notify a handler who is experiencing a panic attack or a drop in blood sugar.

◾Pick food or objects up off the floor or steal (or even show much interest in) food or items that are sitting out. Exceptions to the “picking objects up off the floor” rule include dogs who retrieve dropped items for their handlers or who are otherwise doing trained task work. In general, though, Service Dogs should not interact with distractions or any kind unless cued to or otherwise working.

◾Sniff staff members, patrons, floors, tables, counters, surfaces, products, shelving or anything else unless the Service Dog is performing specific, trained task work, such as detecting allergens or other substances dangerous to their handler.

◾Drag or pull their handler for any reason, unless the dog is performing specific mobility-related task work for their handler as evidenced by the presence of a brace mobility support harness, other task-related gear or wheelchair assistance harness. A Service Dog’s behavior should never appear “out of control,” and there’s a huge difference between a Service Dog providing counter-balance for their handler by leaning into a harness and a dog who is simply dashing here and there and yanking their handler towards distractions.

◾Wander or move widely out of heel position unless cued to by their handler. While Service Dogs aren’t robots and can’t be expected to maintain exact heel position at all times, neither should they range widely enough to infringe on the space, movement or rights of other patrons or teams. Service Dogs should be responsive to their handler’s movements and focused enough to readily move with him/her without significant lags or delay. Service Dogs should not be so engaged or engrossed with the surrounding environment or distractions that they give the appearance of wandering, daydreaming, ignoring or of just being generally untrained.

◾Break “stays,” “unders,” or other fixed-position behaviors to investigate distractions, explore or other move around. Exceptions include Service Dogs who must perform task work that requires them to take the initiative to respond to their handler’s disability regardless of location or position or to retrieve assistance/medication/help. The Service Dog’s decision to break position or disobey a “stay” should be a DIRECT result of specific, trained task work. Again, there’s a huge difference between a dog who gets up because they’re bored or distracted and a Service Dog who’s obviously responding to their handler’s disability.

◾Be anxious, antsy, agitated or aggressive in any way, shape, form or fashion. A Service Dog should never make anyone interacting with her nervous or afraid because of her direct behavior. Some people are afraid of dogs or intimidated by large, dark or certain breeds of dogs, but a Service Dog’s actions should NEVER contribute to that fear. Dogs who are anxious, on edge, reactive, fearful or aggressive in ANY way do not belong in public and especially not as a Service Dog representative.

◾Stink, smell or appear unkempt/ungroomed in any way.

◾Engage with other dogs, people, children or distractions unless allowed to do so by their human partner. The key here is “allowed to do so by their human.” There’s nothing wrong with allowing a Service Dog to greet a friendly child or dog if the handler is comfortable with it, but it should be the handler’s decision and choice, not the Service Dog’s. A Service Dog should not appear overly excited, unfocused, distracted, overstimulated or otherwise out of control. There’s no defined line in the sand on this one, but it’s easy to know once you see it.

◾Jump, scratch, mouth or exhibit other “out of control” behavior. A Service Dog should NEVER exhibit rude, ill-mannered, untrained, or behaviors that are considered inappropriate or nuisances. They should NEVER infringe on other patron’s personal space in a way that appears untrained or impolite. This includes laying their head on stranger’s knees, licking hands while passing by, or leaning against the legs of the person standing next in line. It’s not “cute,” regardless of whether or not the other person provides assurances they’re “ok with it.” A Service Dog should NEVER engage in any behavior or activity that could potentially be hurtful, harmful, leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth or cause the handler to have to apologize to the recipient.

 

If you’re out in public and you see a “Service Dog” engaging in “should not” behaviors and it’s readily obvious the dog in question is just generally ill-mannered or not well-trained, ask to quietly speak to a manager. Let the manager know that while federal law does require them to permit access for all Service Dog teams, they’re not required to deal with dogs who aren’t ready for public access yet, and that federal law allows them to quietly ask the handler to remove the dog from the premise. Don’t challenge the team directly, but by letting the manager know federal law protects their business’ and patron’s rights to not be molested or subjected to poorly behaved Service Dogs, you’ll be paving the way towards better access rights for well-trained Service Dog teams.

 

When business owners know they have a recourse for dealing with Service Dogs who, due to their temperament, manners or lack of training, obviously shouldn’t be working in public, there’s less backlash from negative encounters with dogs showcasing unacceptable behavior. Many business owners fear excluding a poorly-behaved team due to the “must provide access, period, or you’re breaking the law” statements touted by those who drag their substandard dogs around with them in public, and with every instance their business, clients or sense of control suffers due to a bad experience, the more all teams, even well-trained and professional ones, will encounter access challenges and issues. By providing the manager with the real facts concerning Service Dog access rights, you’re empowering him or her to respond appropriately to those individuals and dogs who negatively impact or affect the Service Dog community as a whole and who cause major problems and issues for any and all real teams to follow in their wake.

[Presto2]

Sorry, as a massive animal lover - and having read the threads about rude passengers - I would be more than happy to have 2 'emotional support' dogs in the MDR with us rather than annoying passengers --- particularly as they dressed for the formal occasions. How sweet.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Presto2

[alexspepa]

Thanks NLH Arizona...great post.

[alexspepa]

Sorry, as a massive animal lover - and having read the threads about rude passengers - I would be more than happy to have 2 'emotional support' dogs in the MDR with us rather than annoying passengers --- particularly as they dressed for the formal occasions. How sweet.

 

I don't think anyone could love dogs more than me, but you are missing the point. The imposter Service Dogs actions cause real harm to legitimate Service Dogs and their owners.

 

for the record there are many restaurants in the Charlotte area with outdoor seating areas that allow dogs - and my wife and I do sometimes take our lab Lucy to these venues (she is not a Service Dog); but we do not pretend she is a therapy or service dog (although of course to us she is).

[Iamcruzin]

That's federal law, don't blame Celebrity.... Same applies to hotels, restaurants and any place where the public is allowed into. I've seen service dogs with people in Casino's which must be hell on the hearing of the dogs. Can't ask for documentation.

 

Was the service dog's name Lucky?

[ThursdaysChild]

I'm a big dog lover myself, had one my whole life, but if I came accross the situation I read about regarding this eccentric couple with a pair of Yorkies on my cruise, the dogs would have a long swim home. That is so selfish of this couple and demeans the true purpose of service dogs.

 

 

Reminds me of a story I was told while traveling to London years ago: on a very crowded standing room only bus at rush hour, an American tourist pushed back to the middle of the bus to see a well-dressed woman on one seat and her little pampered pup taking up the entire seat next to her. Four times this Yank asked the woman to move her dog and give up the seat for someone else, and four times the woman adamantly refused. Finally, the fellow reached over and grabbed the dog and tossed it out the window, and turned to offer the seat to an older woman who'd been standing in the aisle. As she moved to sit in the vacated seat next to the now stunned pet owner, she said "Thank you young man, but you threw the wrong b***h off the bus".

[ghstudio]

If you’re out in public and you see a “Service Dog” engaging in “should not” behaviors and it’s readily obvious the dog in question is just generally ill-mannered or not well-trained, ask to quietly speak to a manager. Let the manager know that while federal law does require them to permit access for all Service Dog teams, they’re not required to deal with dogs who aren’t ready for public access yet, and that federal law allows them to quietly ask the handler to remove the dog from the premise. Don’t challenge the team directly, but by letting the manager know federal law protects their business’ and patron’s rights to not be molested or subjected to poorly behaved Service Dogs, you’ll be paving the way towards better access rights for well-trained Service Dog teams.

 

When business owners know they have a recourse for dealing with Service Dogs who, due to their temperament, manners or lack of training, obviously shouldn’t be working in public, there’s less backlash from negative encounters with dogs showcasing unacceptable behavior. Many business owners fear excluding a poorly-behaved team due to the “must provide access, period, or you’re breaking the law” statements touted by those who drag their substandard dogs around with them in public, and with every instance their business, clients or sense of control suffers due to a bad experience, the more all teams, even well-trained and professional ones, will encounter access challenges and issues. By providing the manager with the real facts concerning Service Dog access rights, you’re empowering him or her to respond appropriately to those individuals and dogs who negatively impact or affect the Service Dog community as a whole and who cause major problems and issues for any and all real teams to follow in their wake.[/i]

 

This sounds great on paper...but in real life, this doesn't happen.

 

You, a complete stranger, go up to the owner/manager of a restaurant and point out the law to them giving them this information printed out. What owner/manager (in their right mind) is going to suddenly decide to risk a law suit and difficulty with various public groups and the media and challenge the individual with the dogs. It doesn't happen in restaurants and it isn't going to happen on celebrity ships.

 

No...this only happens our dreams...not reality.

[vulcan1971]

Reminds me of a story I was told while traveling to London years ago: on a very crowded standing room only bus at rush hour, an American tourist pushed back to the middle of the bus to see a well-dressed woman on one seat and her little pampered pup taking up the entire seat next to her. Four times this Yank asked the woman to move her dog and give up the seat for someone else, and four times the woman adamantly refused. Finally, the fellow reached over and grabbed the dog and tossed it out the window, and turned to offer the seat to an older woman who'd been standing in the aisle. As she moved to sit in the vacated seat next to the now stunned pet owner, she said "Thank you young man, but you threw the wrong b***h off the bus".

 

 

I think I heard of variation on this theme many years ago. Reading this brought back those memories, and I was a rolling out of my chair at work on the floor in laughter. Thanks for the chuckle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[fleckle]

I became interested in this topic this spring. I wanted do bring my Aunt on a TA with me in the PH, as she hates flying and thought this would be a good trip and she could take Cunard home. She wanted to bring her service animal. The celebrity website specifically stated that no service animals were allowed to take this TA as it ended in the UK, and only Cunard has the licenses to allow animals to be brought into the UK. A call to Celebrity confirmed this to me, she would not be allowed to board the ship.

 

I researched and found this to be true.

 

Well, on the ship, found at least 3 people with animals and perhaps even the 2 in crib this thread is about, and asked but got no replies as to how they could take their "service animals" even though the UK boarder control says animals can only enter via certain ships, fries and airlines, not any of these. It really ticked me off to have her miss this amazing trip and get no reason or explanation.

 

So it seems if you just show up and pitch a fit at the pier, they let anyone by just to avoid the arguments I guess and let the people deL with immigration on the other side themselves.

 

And I am aware of tall the paperwork, shots, microchipping, etc required to transport a dog internationally (my prior job I had an employee we had to manage this issue with traveling internationally, though by Air), all that was in order, but for the regulation of only Cunard has the necessary license to allow dogs entry to the UK.

Interesting situation, but strange that the people involved had no explanation, or more likely simply did not care to give one, for whatever reason.

 

Is it possible that they were not disembarking in the UK but remaining on the ship to continue on the following cruise and disembark elsewhere, or else that they were disembarking at a stop before the ship reached the UK?