The newest scam for dog owners and timeshares

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

My husband has mentioned that there have been a lot of dogs on his recent flights. He asked me if I would want to bring any of ours sometime. If they have to be certified service dogs - he didn't know that. I think some airlines just let people bring their dog as a carry on.

At any rate, I hate flying and I can't stand how loud everything is. I wouldn't want to put any of my dogs through that when I can't stand it myself. I guess some dogs are okay being in a cramped carry on by their owners feet. Mine wouldn't be and I wouldn't drug them for it, either.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Shame on them who do this. Just shame on them!! Nuff said. shaggy

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Our resorts (both managed by VRI) have strict guidelines as to what "service animals" are allowed and why. The list is extremely short (but happens to include PONY's!) and the front desk has a very short, 3 questions I recall, to verify if the animal in question meets the true test of service animal or not. So far only three animals have met the guidelines in over 2 years.

I was surprised to see a dog in the pool once but it had met the criteria and those around the owner & animal were all very accommodating. The one attempt to get a small (<13 lb) dog into a unit as a "service animal" was questioned & refused with no negative consequences. it seems to be a policy that works and prevents abuse by so called service animals that really aren't.

[rod Member Find all posts View Profile Close rod]

About 5 years ago I wrote an article about guide dogs for the blind, and I was surprised by some of the laws concerning service animals. I was particularly surprised by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

All the states within the U.S.A. had laws on the books providing access to at least all guide dogs for the blind. Some, perhaps most, states had rules such as "An identification card issued by a dog guide school is sufficient proof that the dog is specially trained in guide work."

Within the U.S.A. the ADA takes precedence over all the state laws that have not been revised to comply with it. The following is taken from a United States Department of Justice document which tries to describe the provisions of the ADA in plain language.

Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. Documentation may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal.

You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded. You may not make assumptions, however, about how a particular animal is likely to behave based on your past experience with other animals. Each situation must be considered individually.

At the time I was doing my research, I saw an article about a lawsuit in Springfield, MO, about a monkey being used as a service animal. Originally, the local health department had told restaurants that they must accept the monkey according to the ADA. However, the monkey's owner began allowing it to get its own food from the buffet in one restaurant, and several other customers of the restaurant complained to the health department. The health department then reversed its decision. The owner of the monkey has sued.

The following are the comments of a spokesperson from the Justice Department in Washington concerning the Missouri lawsuit:

"It's kind of a fine line, but the law errs on the side of protecting individuals that are disabled. If someone asks if an animal provides a service for them, and they say yes, technically that's covered," she said.

"And they don't have to provide papers," she said. "That's not required by the ADA."

Many states have by now revised their service dog laws to agree with the federal ADA.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

My husband has mentioned that there have been a lot of dogs on his recent flights. He asked me if I would want to bring any of ours sometime. If they have to be certified service dogs - he didn't know that. I think some airlines just let people bring their dog as a carry on.

At any rate, I hate flying and I can't stand how loud everything is. I wouldn't want to put any of my dogs through that when I can't stand it myself. I guess some dogs are okay being in a cramped carry on by their owners feet. Mine wouldn't be and I wouldn't drug them for it, either.

It may vary from one airline to the next, but what I've learned is that dogs can be on board if they fit in carriers under the seat, or in a purchased seat. Same true of cats. When I inquired due to a cat allergy on a feline flight, I was told that they permit up to two animals per flight. I gather that service animals may not count toward the quota, but I've never seen a yellow lab laying down in the aisle - could they really permit that safely?

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Our resorts (both managed by VRI) have strict guidelines as to what "service animals" are allowed and why. The list is extremely short (but happens to include PONY's!) and the front desk has a very short, 3 questions I recall, to verify if the animal in question meets the true test of service animal or not. So far only three animals have met the guidelines in over 2 years.

I was surprised to see a dog in the pool once but it had met the criteria and those around the owner & animal were all very accommodating. The one attempt to get a small (<13 lb) dog into a unit as a "service animal" was questioned & refused with no negative consequences. it seems to be a policy that works and prevents abuse by so called service animals that really aren't.

Is that a resort policy or VRI? We own at a VRI resort but I don't know what their policy is. I have never seen any dogs there thank God. We have a dog that we love very much but we would never take her to a timeshare resort nor hotel.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Is that a resort policy or VRI? We own at a VRI resort but I don't know what their policy is. I have never seen any dogs there thank God. We have a dog that we love very much but we would never take her to a timeshare resort nor hotel.

We were told it was VRI policy unless the resort/Board wanted it to be handled differently.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Puh-lease! I should bring my cat. He wakes me up by 6:30am and sits and gives me dirty looks if I'm not in bed by 10:30pm (and that is a greater service to the general population than false seizure dogs).

Do you know people that do or have done this? What are your thoughts?

The obvious is obvious. Get your cat documented.

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

I looked into getting one of my dogs trained to be a service animal. In my search, I found a site that if you click a button that says you have some type of disability that affects your daily living, you can order the documents for the dog. I could have ordered a card, a service jacket for my dog and I forget what else.

I really wanted my dog trained. I didn't want phony documents. Anyway, they are very easy to get on the internet. Much easier than finding a place to train your dog - which I never did find.

I think service animals almost always start their training when they are very young (say, two or three months old in the case of dogs.) I don't know if anyone trains adult animals to be service animals.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

I think service animals almost always start their training when they are very young (say, two or three months old in the case of dogs.) I don't know if anyone trains adult animals to be service animals.

Yes, that is all I could find around here. I could get an already trained dog, but not get training for any of my dogs.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Our resorts (both managed by VRI) have strict guidelines as to what "service animals" are allowed and why. The list is extremely short (but happens to include PONY's!) and the front desk has a very short, 3 questions I recall, to verify if the animal in question meets the true test of service animal or not. So far only three animals have met the guidelines in over 2 years.

I was surprised to see a dog in the pool once but it had met the criteria and those around the owner & animal were all very accommodating. The one attempt to get a small (<13 lb) dog into a unit as a "service animal" was questioned & refused with no negative consequences. it seems to be a policy that works and prevents abuse by so called service animals that really aren't.

The Illinois Senate has passed legislation designating miniature horses as recognized service animals. The bill allows equids to accompany disabled students to school and other public venues currently open to service dogs.
As originally introduced, HB3826 amends the Illinois Guide Dog Act to include unspecified animals other than dogs. An amendment added by Illinois State Sen. David Koehler specifically designates miniature horses as recognized service animals in Illinois. On May 15, the Illinois Senate passed HB3826 in its amended version. The bill now moves on to Illinois House for approval.

No one from the Guide Horse Foundation was available to comment on the Illinois measure. The Guide Horse Foundation was established in 1999 as an experimental program to explore miniature horses’ potential as an alternative to guide dogs for the visually impaired. According to information contained on the foundation’s website, miniature equines are suited to roles as service animals due to their longer lifespan, good manners, stamina, and excellent vision. So-called guide horses also benefit some visually impaired or blind owners who are allergic to dogs.

Under its rules, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows the use of trained service horses as alternative to dogs in situations where use of the equine would be appropriate. However, the ADA rule does not specifically define miniature horses as service animals.
HB3826 remains pending in the Illinois House of Representatives.

[MargeS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MargeS]

Service dogs actually start their training at 8 weeks old. My husband is waiting for his dog (hearing, and balance/vertigo issues due to Mineres). Training is extensive, 8 weeks through 2+ years. Then we train with the dog for 2-3 weeks. In the past we have had pets (our last, a beloved well trained german sheperd). We never would have considered bringing her with us, and paid dearly for her care when we traveled.
DH has no hearing in one ear, and diminished in the other (Mineres has moved to better ear now). What prompted his wanting the service dog, was our trip to New Orleans for a wedding in October. We drove, and stayed at a hotel on the way. Early in the morning, I slipped in the bathroom with my chin landing on the metal track for the sliding glass shower door. I slit my chin open, and inside of my mouth, and had large dark bruises on my left front side. Lots of blood... he could not hear me call for help. It freaked both of us out...
He also alarmed the house. We live in a very safe, nice neighborhood, but he fears someone could be in our bedroom/house and he would not know.
I know it will change our lives, and I can't imagine being everywhere with the dog, but that is their purpose and training is ongoing for the dogs entire life.
They are held to very high standards, and can be taken back if proper care is not constant (specific foods, cleanliness, health issues, dental & eye care).