"service" animals-where do we draw the line?

[cruise47]

In Australia a "service dog" has to be certified, not real hard actually to pass such legislation, then its simple no certificate no go.

 

Certification isn't easy, the dog has to meet the same obedience and behaviour standards as a guide dog, and then be trained for it's specific purpose about 90% that start the course fail.

 

It is about time we Americans should follow our Australian neighbors n this issue.

[Iamcruzin]

With all these animals on board,will there be a Vet as well :):)

With all of these animals on board, it's going to be like sailing on Noah's Ark.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[keithm]

The "fly in the ointment" here is that therapy dogs do wonders for our servicemen and women who have PTSD.....that's not BS.

THOSE are the ONLY exceptions I'd totally agree to.

[keithm]

Therapy dogs are not service animals. They are pets that are trained to go to hospitals, nursing homes, etc. and interact with the patients/residents. Please, therapy dogs do a lot of good for people that are confined, they don't belong in the same category as the emotional support or comfort dog posers. Therapy dogs have to be trained and certified prior to any hospital, nursing home or other intuition will allow them in. They don't go to restaurants, grocery stores. etc.

 

The dogs that help servicemen and women with PTSD are actually service animals (they fall under the ADA rules and regulations and PTSD is a disability that is recognized by the ADA), they are not emotional support or comfort dogs nor are they therapy dogs.

 

From the ADA website: Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Thank you for printing that. It helps to clear up a lot of the BS.

[wwcruisers]

I've told this story before but after I retired I worked in a supermarket and a woman came in all the time with her service parrot. My understanding is it had something to do with her neck and a balance problem.

 

OK -- pass the screen-cleaner, please! :p

Not to go completely OT, Don -- but, your story brought up a mental image of the late, great Peter Sellers in one (I forget which) of the Pink Panther movies: Inspector Clouseau, going "undercover" as a pirate -- complete with peg-leg and a stuffed parrot on his shoulder (for balance, no doubt ... ;))

[blindrid]

Novel idea: allow the dogs, don't allow the passengers. Dog for blind, yes. I don't by the emotional. Aren't we all comforted by our pets? And don't we all go through emotional issues?

 

You can tell. The lines need to get some guts. There are other vacation options with pets.

[bighairtexan]

Last year I was in the casino the first evening and went to introduce myself to the Casino Hostess to collect my Blue Chip Club perks. The hostess came out of the office carrying a "purse dog" in one arm. I asked her if they let her bring her dog on the ship and she said STRAIGHT FACED "this is a therapy dog for a lady who is one of the Blue Chip members." I asked where that lady was and "Oh she's gambling."

OK that fried me. This dog was for the lady's ANXIETY yet she was gambling away while the dog was being carried around by the hostess, not even within this woman's eyesight (unless the woman was in the back of the casino cage). I mean if you don't have anxiety while you're GAMBLING, don't try to tell me you have it when you're sleeping, eating, resting in the sun.

 

Another time on a roll call a cruiser introduced herself and said "You'll see me around the ship carrying my therapy dog." And mentioned it was for anxiety. Well you could have heard crickets. A very friendly roll call but no one responded at ALL to her. I almost felt she was trying to stir the pot. And none of us ever saw her OR her dog on the ship.

 

I mean honestly I have a whippet who's recently (and successfully) undergone 2 months of radiation for a rare form of cancer. When I'm away from Petey for any length of time I AM ANXIOUS. But hey.... I either "GET OVER IT" or I don't cruise. And I have cancelled cruises largely because of him.

 

Some of these folks IMHO are TOTALLY abusing the service dog concept. I'm not even sure of how these dogs fall into the ADA which allows dogs who are "trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Laying there and panting is NOT performing a task.

[SteveH2508]

<flippant post on>

 

I wonder if Celebrity were 'reading the runes' when they came up with the idea of the grass areas on their ships? They foresaw the influx of livestock and planned accordingly?:rolleyes:

 

<flippant post off>

[keithm]

Saw a guy (about 25 yrs old) yesterday carrying his very small dog with a vest that said "service" animal...it was so obvious he paid the $29.99 for the online BS for the "anxiety" dog...As a health care professional, if you need to carry around your dog for emotional support except in very few cases, it's time to seek qualified help...this is getting out of hand like most things...clearly this guy wanted his dog to fly for free...I was slightly embarrassed for him

Lucky it wasn't me who saw it. I would have called him out on it! If I have to pay to transport a "pet",so does he!

[keithm]

I've told this story before but after I retired I worked in a supermarket and a woman came in all the time with her service parrot. My understanding is it had something to do with her neck and a balance problem.

If you live in NH.It was probably my sister! I can't stand it. The damn bird also bites her at times. 10 points for the Parrot!

[keithm]

<flippant post on>

 

I wonder if Celebrity were 'reading the runes' when they came up with the idea of the grass areas on their ships? They foresaw the influx of livestock and planned accordingly?:rolleyes:

 

<flippant post off>

What? Haven't you seen the herd of goats that keep that grass so trim?

[dkjretired]

If you live in NH.It was probably my sister! I can't stand it. The damn bird also bites her at times. 10 points for the Parrot!

 

Keith

 

That was when I lived on NJ

[itzmered]

Is this really a problem on cruise ships? I know I have not been on a huge amount of cruise but in 10 cruises across multiple cruise lines there is only 1 time that I have seen an dog on the ship.

[babyher]

First off.

 

I know there are a great many people with true illnesses and disabilities who benefit tremendously by true service animals . God bless then and I wish them all the best .

 

But come on with all these poodles in baby carriages and foo foo dogs in costumes , and walking around with monkeys and parrots on your shoulder.

 

What the hell has happened to this world . its like people go out of their way to find something wrong with themselves instead of thanking God they are fine and healthy.

 

The old saying was 'When you have your health , you have everything" Now its like every other person you talk to has this syndrome or this condition along with a note from a doctor or a state permit excluding them from this or allowing them that.

 

I look at these people with the emotional support dogs as the descendants of the people that lived on Miltown and Valium in the 50s, 60s, and 70s . Or the Woody Allenesque characters that had to run to a 50 minute session with their shrink every time the dishwasher breaks down, or why they feel guilty because they had fun last weekend.

 

Its like some people are never going to be special in their own right, lets see how they fare with the sympathy vote.

Edited February 8, 2015 by babyher

[NLH Arizona]

First off.

 

I know there are a great many people with true illnesses and disabilities who benefit tremendously by true service animals . God bless then and I wish them all the best .

 

But come on with all these poodles in baby carriages and foo foo dogs in costumes , and walking around with monkeys and parrots on your shoulder.

 

What the hell has happened to this world . its like people go out of their way to find something wrong with themselves instead of thanking God they are fine and healthy.

 

The old saying was 'When you have your health , you have everything" Now its like every other person you talk to has this syndrome or this condition along with a note from a doctor or a state permit excluding them from this or allowing them that.

 

I look at these people with the emotional support dogs as the descendants of the people that lived on Miltown and Valium in the 50s, 60s, and 70s . Or the Woody Allenesque characters that had to run to a 50 minute session with their shrink every time the dishwasher breaks down, or why they feel guilty because they had fun last weekend.

 

Its like some people are never going to be special in their own right, lets see how they fare with the sympathy vote.

The majority of these folks don't have any medical or emotional/behavior problems, they have just figured out how to skirt regulations about bring dogs to public places, because they don't want to leave fluffy home or have to pay for kenneling.

[babyher]

The majority of these folks don't have any medical or emotional/behavior problems, they have just figured out how to skirt regulations about bring dogs to public places, because they don't want to leave fluffy home or have to pay for kenneling.

 

 

 

Oh I know that's part of it too.

 

 

But lately you can't walk up to some one and either them or their kids has been diagnosed or are being tested for some "condition du jour"

 

 

Nothing terminal or ravaging, but just something to get them a note to get them out of this or qualify them for that. It is just getting crazy.

[blindrid]

Is this really a problem on cruise ships? I know I have not been on a huge amount of cruise but in 10 cruises across multiple cruise lines there is only 1 time that I have seen an dog on the ship.

 

One too many for. I have a dear friend that is allergic to dogs and she is taking her first cruise but deals with it (airplanes and such). On a cruise I would think a paying passenger would take presence over a fake security dog.

 

As mentioned, I enjoy dogs but never considered cruising with mine.

[alexspepa]

One too many for. I have a dear friend that is allergic to dogs and she is taking her first cruise but deals with it (airplanes and such). On a cruise I would think a paying passenger would take presence over a fake security dog.

 

As mentioned, I enjoy dogs but never considered cruising with mine.

 

over a fake therapy animal yes, but over a legitimate Service Dog? Absolutely not.

[Iamcruzin]

I just hope Rover is sailing in a suite because with all of the construction going on in the next few months he might not be able to get a seat in select dining.

[A Sixth?]

What? Haven't you seen the herd of goats that keep that grass so trim?

 

I don't know about the others, But I like it when you type dirty. :eek::p

 

Edited February 8, 2015 by A Sixth?
Not my best work but hey.... not Bhaaaad

[dkjretired]

Is this really a problem on cruise ships? I know I have not been on a huge amount of cruise but in 10 cruises across multiple cruise lines there is only 1 time that I have seen an dog on the ship.

 

Not a major problem, I think what started this discussion was a thread a couple of months ago. People had seen a woman who obviously had a fake dog who did things a service dog would never do. She is apparently a frequent Celebrity cruiser.

[keithm]

First off.

 

I know there are a great many people with true illnesses and disabilities who benefit tremendously by true service animals . God bless then and I wish them all the best .

 

But come on with all these poodles in baby carriages and foo foo dogs in costumes , and walking around with monkeys and parrots on your shoulder.

 

What the hell has happened to this world . its like people go out of their way to find something wrong with themselves instead of thanking God they are fine and healthy.

 

The old saying was 'When you have your health , you have everything" Now its like every other person you talk to has this syndrome or this condition along with a note from a doctor or a state permit excluding them from this or allowing them that.

 

I look at these people with the emotional support dogs as the descendants of the people that lived on Miltown and Valium in the 50s, 60s, and 70s . Or the Woody Allenesque characters that had to run to a 50 minute session with their shrink every time the dishwasher breaks down, or why they feel guilty because they had fun last weekend.

 

Its like some people are never going to be special in their own right, lets see how they fare with the sympathy vote.

I always remember this spoof of "Whatever happened to Baby Jane". ""Ya want Sympathy, Blanche? Why, you can find it right in the dictionary...Between Suicide and Syphilis!"

[blindrid]

I always remember this spoof of "Whatever happened to Baby Jane". ""Ya want Sympathy, Blanche? Why, you can find it right in the dictionary...Between Suicide and Syphilis!"

 

Good one.

[foxglove]

The "fly in the ointment" here is that therapy dogs do wonders for our servicemen and women who have PTSD.....that's not BS.

VA and service dogs

 

Research is underway to better understand if dogs can provide a disability service for persons with PTSD. VA has started a research study to determine if there are things a dog can do for a Veteran with PTSD that would qualify the animal as a Service Dog for PTSD. The study is expected to take several years to complete. The National Center for PTSD is not involved in this study, but we will provide results when they become available.

Currently, VA does not provide service dogs for physical or mental health conditions, including PTSD. VA does provide veterinary care for service dogs that are deemed medically necessary for the rehabilitation or restorative care plan of Veterans with permanent physical impairments. If research supports the use of service dogs for PTSD, VA will provide veterinary care for such dogs. Read more information on VA and service dogs.

[NLH Arizona]

VA and service dogs

 

Research is underway to better understand if dogs can provide a disability service for persons with PTSD. VA has started a research study to determine if there are things a dog can do for a Veteran with PTSD that would qualify the animal as a Service Dog for PTSD. The study is expected to take several years to complete. The National Center for PTSD is not involved in this study, but we will provide results when they become available.

Currently, VA does not provide service dogs for physical or mental health conditions, including PTSD. VA does provide veterinary care for service dogs that are deemed medically necessary for the rehabilitation or restorative care plan of Veterans with permanent physical impairments. If research supports the use of service dogs for PTSD, VA will provide veterinary care for such dogs. Read more information on VA and service dogs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act acknowledges service dogs for PTSD and they fall under their rule and regulations, so they are far ahead of the VA with regard to this.