If you’re following me on Facebook or Instagram, then you know that I recently posted a controversial photo that quickly became the center of a heated debate between my friends and followers. The photo was of a woman walking a small dog on a leash aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Toronto. What caused the big ruckus? The pooch was wearing a “Service Dog” vest and it was one of those things that make you go…hmmm?
I didn’t want to say too much because I honestly have no idea if this woman’s dog was really a service dog or not, but the vest sure didn’t look like it was legitimate. My big beef is that I (sadly) know many people who buy these vests/certificates online through companies that don’t require any proof that they’re for an actual service dog. Travelers do it for a number of reasons. One is so that their dogs can fly with them on the plane rather than in the cargo hold. Another is so that they don’t have to pay the usual $125+ each way fee. That’s right…service animals fly for free.
I love dogs and I’m not allergic to them, so it doesn’t bother me in the least. I actually find them comforting. What bothers me is that I know that the increasing number of people and companies who are abusing the system are going to ruin it for those individuals who actually need a service dog for support. Have you seen an increase of “service dogs” when you travel? I have and perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised. Because according to New Yorker magazine: “In 2011, the National Service Animal Registry, a commercial enterprise that sells certificates, vests, and badges for helper animals, signed up twenty-four hundred emotional-support animals. Last year, it registered eleven thousand.”
Have you, or do you know anyone who has, purchased one of these “service animal” vests/certificates even though they don’t actually warrant one?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Good to know: According to The New York Times, one big giveaway is that “assistance dogs are trained not to bark in public, not to go smelling other dogs or people.”
Interesting Stories on the Subject:
- New Yorker: Why are so many animals now in places where they shouldn’t be?
- NPR: Removal Of Blind Man, Service Dog From Flight Sparks Outrage
Airline Policies on Service Animals:
- FAA: Service Animals in Air Transportation – Aviation Consumer Protection (PDF)
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- United
- US Airways
Related:
WOW – There are some oversensitive desensitized people on here. My thoughts, if you need the animal and they are a ‘Service’ animal you can bring them with you anywhere you want to go anytime you want to as far as I am concerned. The largest concern I have with those that just slap a vest on their pet is that they have not been trained how to behave in Public, in confined situations. Your pet may bark, react adversely to others, use the bathroom. Not to say that those things cannot happen with a Service animal but one that is a Service animal is going to be much better behaviors that a Pet. I love my dogs and sure I would like to take them onto a plane with me, but I wouldn’t, it wouldn’t be fair to those that need a service animal, nor to my dog, to place them in a stressful situation like that.
I do think that the Federal government needs to step in here and mandate what is, and what is not a service animal. Many states do not have regulations on service animals and anyone with a label maker can have a ‘Service’ animal.
Absolutely correct. Even we occasional travelers notice the amazing increase in this business that cannot possibly be legitimate or folks would have been flying before. This will definitely present a problem for those who legitimately need help in the future. Yet one more indication of the Me, Me, Me attitude in the U.S. today.
http://www.amazon.com/EMOTIONAL-SUPPORT-ANIMAL-Badge-Bundle/dp/B0085PB5NS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1413690317&sr=8-9&keywords=service+animal+vest
There will always be some people who will abuse any such system. It used to be that service animals were carefully trained animals that provided a specific function for a truly handicapped person. There was a time when most of the people permitted to park in handicapped spaces actually had some disability. My wife is a physician, and due to a head-on collision with a crack head, a disabled person. She has endless stories of patients who want her to sign paperwork for a handicapped permit, or scooter, or service animal. Very rarely do these people have any actual need for such things. Of course, most of the truly handicapped get what they need from a specialist. And the laws as I understand them are greatly in favor of the person claiming the handicap. The complicated part of the issue is that it is none of our business what medical issues a person may have. Medical privacy is a real issue. I think what will happen is that this issue will finally get so out of hand that some sort of universal permit will be required. The permit will require a real diagnosis to get, the pet will be specially trained, and the permit will not disclose any information that violates medical privacy.
I think the problem lies with the airline industry. Of course, you are going to have people pulling whatever they can to get their “child” to accompany them on vacation or visiting the relatives and so forth. Not only that, but have you seen the cost of daycare or pet boarding?? If the only other option is to transport your “child” under inhumane conditions (we’ve all heard the story of Fido sitting on the tarmac in the blazing sun while the plane loads and the no temp regulated cargo hold where Fido is kept during the flight), I see why many people would opt for just being dishonest, especially when it’s easy, you know Fido is safe AND (bonus) it saves money$$$. Not that I condone the practice of being dishonest or selfishly inconveniencing the majority, but if airlines want to offer pet transportation, there needs to be a better solution than the basement of the plane. Besides, there are legitimate service animals whose owners validly need them AND have gone through the real legal process and do not deserve to be vilified with the rest.
It is ridiculous of the airlines to not verify the legitimacy of these animals. I am an animal lover, but there is a time and place. I do not not agree with animals in the cabin even in carriers as those around them have to deal with smells, sounds, dander, etc.
You can’t even go to The Home Depot without see people hauling their dogs with them. I have point blank asked management about it, and I was made out to be the bad guy. “What, did one bite you or something?” The policy is clearly posted on the entrance doors – ADA covered animals only. What does the greeter do when patrons enter with their 90 lbs lab in tow? THe sames thing as all the other bozo employees – stop, pet the dog, and tell the owner how cute it is.
If it hasn’t happened already, it is only a matter of time before some kids gets a public mauling in a big box store resulting in a huge lawsuit. That store manager and shift manager will be gone. The greeter will probably survive though.
Our Home Depot welcomes our dogs. As long as they are well-mannered and on a leash. What’s wrong with that?
As long as they are well-mannered and on a leash, what is wrong with that? Are you friggin’ kidding me!?! These are DOGS, not people. They are a liability , not an asset. You dog may be well controlled, but what happens when they pass another dog in an aisle, or a three year old runs up and kicks it or pulls it tail? Not to mention that dogs bring parasites and bacteria with them wherever they go, they pee on everything, and some people are allergic or frightened by dogs. I love my dog like he is a member of the family, but when I run errands, he stays home. THis is not only out of respect for the store management and other customers, but also out of respect for my dog and where he would be happier and with less stress.
What’s wrong with that?
I’ll tell you what’s wrong with that.
These so called “service” dogs that are NOT service dogs. Service dogs that try to sniff you, jump on you or even try to walk towards you are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are well trained and perfectly calm. You can tell when someone is faking it. If it is in training? My gawd, go somewhere else. Like OUTSIDE public. I’ve seen people bring dogs into GROCERY stores. People putting their little lap dogs in the damn cart. This whole “it comforts me” thing is bull. I have a friend with a legit service dog for a legit reason. I’ve seen my fair share of fakers and people who actually need it.
Dogs don’t necessarily have to be service dogs to enter the store. You might want to check your facts before responding to posts.
If you are so psycho you need a dog to cope, you are too psycho to fly.
After working in the hospitality industry for many years, I have witnessed countless number of guest with their “assistance animals”. Not only dogs, but a variety of assorted animals, (cats, birds, hamsters, snakes etc). people have attempted to claim as assistance in order to get out of paying hotel pet fees. Abuse, yes. Probably in the high 90%. Currently only dogs and small horses can be delegated as assistance animals. Actual Assistance animals are a wonderful thing and are certainly needed. But those who abuse the system and treat their small dogs as fashion accessories (Thank you Paris Hilton) should be ashamed of themselves.
If you had the first idea what you’re talking about, you’d know that emotional support animals (the ones at question here, as they don’t require any certification) are only an issue on flights and for housing (pet deposits, housing that won’t allow pets, etc). Hotels are exempted, since the ADA does not apply to emotional support animals and other, more specific laws apply to housing and air travel. Hotels (as well as retail stores and many other businesses, for that matter) are only subject to the ADA which covers assistance dogs like those that assist the blind, etc.
In any case, most airlines stipulate that they may require somebody with an ESA dog to furnish a letter from a mental health professional… simply buying a vest is not sufficient to travel with your dog if the airline employees are doing their jobs.
The misinformation in this blog post and the comments only inflames the unjust aspersions cast upon those walking through the airport with their dog. I’ve never seen anyone not be [quickly] re-seated on any flight if they didn’t want to sit near a dog. Usually a dog lover is quick to volunteer to sit next to the dog even if the seat is “worse.” The undue burden on others is so minimal that it says more about the complainer than the complained-about. Fly private if you don’t want to deal with other people (and their problems).
My dearest friend has a dachshund that is a service animal. My friend has multiple mental illness and panic issues and the dog not only alerts others of a serious complication, but also helps calm her so that she doesn’t have an attack when she’s out (including flying). I NEVER question whether a pet is a service animal or not, as I’ve seen the difference a small dog can make in the quality of a person’s life who might otherwise be housebound or even hospitalized. Please be aware that service animals are being used more and more for these types of issues.
I know a lady who paid $80 online for a certificate for her dog as a “seizure alert dog”. Her justification was that she was sure he would stark barking and draw attention to her if she starts having a seizure. Saved over $500 in pet flight charges for her so far. It is the same as people using wheelchairs to get onboard a flight early. It all ruins the flying experience, increases airline costs and is overall just ridiculous.
While my husband has terrible allergies, I just get “nauseous” smelling DOG STINK. Dogs have a peculiar odor which causes me a gag reflex if I am too close. SO I KEEP MY DISTANCE. Never go to a home where a dog lives and of course NO DOG WOULD EVER
get into my home. We ask before we go anywhere but people think we are “kidding” about allergies to dogs.
You need an emergent psychiatric evaluation!
Oh calm down
Husband highly allergic to dog “dander” (dogs of all kinds cause his breathing to falter). We cannot sit near one or be near one. I had to guide him out of a businss meeting last week
because he could not breathe. Someone brought a LAP DOG to the meeting and sat 2 chairs from him. WHY DO THEY DO IT? If this is a “comfort” animal: STAY HOME.