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How to Train Your Service Dog for Grounding Tasks
If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack or severe anxiety, you know how overwhelming the symptoms can feel — racing thoughts, pounding heart, that disconnected sensation that makes the world seem far away. Maybe you’ve tried various coping strategies: meditation apps, breathing exercises, and therapy. While these tools can be incredibly helpful, there’s another powerful […]
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The Air Carrier Access Act and Service Dogs
If you rely on a service dog, you need to know about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA is a U.S. federal law that gives you the right to bring your service dog in the plane cabin on all flights to, from, and within the United States. The ACAA, along with HUD’s housing […]
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HUD Housing Rules for Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA, however, doesn’t contain any specific information on how tenants and landlords are supposed to handle ESA requests. That’s where the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) comes in. HUD publishes guidelines that address how ESAs are to be […]
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I have a service animal and so does my husband.
I went down to the hotel desk to get another key and the man was very verbal about my service animals.
I stated I needed another key to go get the dogs to walk.
He said, “ I HAD TO HAVE THEM WITH ME AT ALL TIMES”, “24/7” and “ I Can’t have 2”.
“What was my disability”
He was abrupt and “I” felt very uncomfortable.
I was embarrassed to tell him of my issues, but I did. I also felt persecuted, to have to state this in public, to some random person.
WHAT ARE THE ALLOWED QUESTIONS BY NON MEDICAL PERSONS AND
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ANIMALS ATTENDANCE WITH THE HANDLER?
Third parties can ask two questions to verify a service dog: 1. Is the service dog required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Ummmm no hotel worker need to ask those questions ..when your animal has a service vest or tag showing that it’s a working animal and not just your pet .. it’s VERY UNPROFESSIONAL for ANY hotel worker to asked about proof or give you shit about it.. you need to report that person to the hotel owner and if it was okay to ask those questions then what is the point of having items on your animal SHOWING in PLAIN sight that it’s a working Animal!!
Hotel workers are allowed to ask two questions under the ADA: Is the dog required because of a disability and what work or job has the dog been trained to perform? Hotels do not have to rely on service vests or tags as proof.
Keep reading…..service dogs should be trained to perform tasks. I assure you true service dogs do not run all over and a dog running all over upon check-in is not a true service dog and cannot perform tasks on demand (no-can-do if you aren’t right by your owners side). It is terrible for true service dog owners to have to have these stereotypes placed when they don’t really even apply.
Being a hotel owner, I find it appropriate to let the hotel know ahead of time you will be bringing a service dog. This could avoid awkward interaction with hotel employees. I had a guest show up with the dog, and when I said “Hello, oh we don’t allow pets inside the inn”, her response was “he isn’t a pet”. After I stared at her in confusion, she finally said “it is a service dog”. I was taken back because shortly before this interaction, the dog was running all over the place without a leash. I have friends who have a service dog and it is clear he is a service dog, as he wears a vest and is well behaved. Had I known ahead of time, I wouldn’t have even approached the guest and had this awkward (just not very pleasant) interaction, which set a somewhat grumpy tone with us both. I then said “Oh! It would have been nice to know ahead of time, as we may have other guests who are allergic to dogs or alerted other guests about the fact a dog will be present inside the inn, where typically dogs are not allowed. This is a bed and breakfast type atmosphere and I would have appreciated the heads-up. Legally, did they need to tell me? No. But as a guest in someone’s home, perhaps its a good idea to let them know.
Good to know that mentioning service dog before arrival can be a benefit. Also service dogs are not perfect and when a non service dog distracts, it can cause the trained service dog to become distracted and dogs have natural instincts to be curious or play, So that is the biggest challenge is not let our dog get distracted as if he barks or shows signs of play, then we may be asked to leave..
Also, what about other guest who wish not to be around a pet, Have had businesses struggle with who to accommodate,
This also will be our first time going to a pool with service dog. So our dog does not assist in swimming, so it will have to stay down while owner swims. But is there a disability that a swimmer would need a service dog in the water? I have only heard about rescue dogs working while in water such as if a swimmer is in need of assistance. So I don’t see that a pool would be a place where a service dog would enter unless it is to rescue for seizure or other potential drowning situation. So the big concern is since the dog is always with the owner, Having the dog stay down near pool while owner swims as it can not be left alone in room. Any suggestions? Thank you
Sounds like you can just say your dog is a service dog to avoid a pet fee. You should show proof by law.
In order to have the rights of a service dog owner, you must be able to answer two questions (if your disability related need for the dog is not obvious): 1. Is the dog a service dog required due to a disability? and 2. What work or task has the service dog been trained to perform?
Agree, Service animals should have an ID that can’t be copied. Doesn’t have to say anything but just shows if they are truly Service animals. Anyone can Lie.
Have a question: If someone is coming to stay at the hotel are suppose to at least let us know they are brining their service dog if they have one?
The hotel guest should inform the hotel before arrival or during check in that they require the use of a service dog. The hotel can validate the guests request by asking two questions (if the disability is not obvious): 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the service dog been trained to perform? Ideally, hotel guests should give advance notice so the hotel can make appropriate arrangements to accommodate a service dog.