Kicked Out of Crowne Plaza Hotel In Albany

[alisonJ]

I work for the City of Tucson. Every employee is required to go through training to learn ADA rules. The poster above is correct. One is not allowed to ask why someone has a service animal. All anyone has to say is "this is a service animal". There is no requirement for documentation (in fact, there usually isn't any documentation as there is no required central clearing house for service animal registration).

So--yes, anyone could lie and say that their pet is a service animal and gain access to places where animals are otherwise not allowed. Needless to say, this is wrong, and I hope no one here would do that, but I am sure this rule is abused.

By the way, I am told there is someone in town with a PYTHON that is a service animal and if that person were to come in, we have no recourse....

There is a difference between service animals and therapy animals. I think of Service animals as those animals that allow the owner to do things he or she would not otherwise be able to do without other assistance.

[TinyBallerina]

Personnelly, I would right a letter to corporate on how you were treated and that you had paid for the room ahead of time and want a refund on the nights you did not stay there and I would include a letter from your granddaughter's doctor stating the little dog is used to keep an autistic child calm and safe. And that you are going to let everyone know about how badly you were treated and I would also ask for proof in writing details of thier no dog policy and the place where they can impose a fine and what is there fine amounts! I would take this as far as I could.

[SnowWa]

I think taking our pets with us on some trips is great - and a fun thing to do.

But - I can't imagine booking a room anywhere and paying for it in advance without finding out if my dog is allowed. I can't imagine not doing this because there are so many places that don't allow pets.

And - there are other considerations also - some places let pets stay free - some charge a nominal fee - some charge more (I'm sure the places that allow pets often have to do a more cleaning than the ones that don't.....)

*** and as far as getting a doctor's note regarding the young autistic girl - I wouldn't even go there.

First - you should get a note such as this before you travel - not after you have a problem (tooooo late!)

Second - if we went to a facility that allowed pets - we wouldn't need a note... everyone would be welcome there,


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I think this whole thing was a very unfortunate experience.... but I'd just write it off as a "lesson learned."

And I think sharing this experience on YT - has helped to remind all of us to remember to check the "pet policies" whenever we book rooms at motels or hotels.

It really shouldn't be a problem because more and more places are allowing us to bring our pets all the time. We just need to check in advance.

Carol Jean

[Pattie]

Originally Posted by alisonJ

I work for the City of Tucson. Every employee is required to go through training to learn ADA rules. The poster above is correct. One is not allowed to ask why someone has a service animal. All anyone has to say is "this is a service animal". There is no requirement for documentation (in fact, there usually isn't any documentation as there is no required central clearing house for service animal registration).

So--yes, anyone could lie and say that their pet is a service animal and gain access to places where animals are otherwise not allowed. Needless to say, this is wrong, and I hope no one here would do that, but I am sure this rule is abused.

By the way, I am told there is someone in town with a PYTHON that is a service animal and if that person were to come in, we have no recourse....

There is a difference between service animals and therapy animals. I think of Service animals as those animals that allow the owner to do things he or she would not otherwise be able to do without other assistance.

YOU are so right, and the differences in the web address I posted does explain the differences between a service animal and a therapy animal. Service animal in my case in Chloe - she will be left with a deaf client and let her know when a smoke alarm may go off or the doorbell rings. On the other hand my Sissy will only work as a therapy animal, keeping company, adult sitting or otherwise company or security reasons being effected by mood disorders/loneliness or perhaps fear of being alone... A service animal DOES something for the client that they can NOT do for themselves, a therapy animal does something entirely different. Sissy does not have what it takes to learn to be a service animal, Chloe appears to have been born with this gift and is an extremely fast learner.

Also I might note, none of the clients that Chloe meets with live with us, nor are a part of our household, they pay me for the services, some we donate free of charge. I never heard that for Chloe to be allowed into a public place, our client must live with us. IF my client was staying at a hotel, Chloe could stay if needed, WITHOUT supplying a reason, and my say so is enuf to just state she is providing a service to an invalid. If they continued to pursue it, they could be fined. It is not allowed, even if the disability is not visible.

[Bama Yorkie Mom]

ok, here I go and I hope people dont get angry at me. But, I think its great people can have s/d and t/d and take them where they need to go with them. But I have read (not 1 but several)post here where people are taking their dogs places their not allowed and posing them as s/d and t/d. To me that is such a bad thing. I just feel like anybody who would do this, deserves to be ask to leave and even fined it they know before hand they dont allow pets. It will eventually make it harder for those that do need these dogs. People sneaking their dogs into stores. theatres, etc. People, its so wrong yet then when you're ask to leave your ready to call corporate headquarters or send them mail complaining that their security people made them leave.
There is no way I would ever do such a thing just to show off a little dog and thats why most do it. For the oooww's and ahh's people give them in the store over their little dogs. Sounds more like an ego thing than anything else to me. Take them where their allowed and let people help build your ego. Think of the people out their you're doing an injustice to. Of course this is JMO and you know what they say about opinions.

[Pattie]

Linda, Did you read the first page? She brought her to help keep her niece calm during the wedding, her niece has autism. Do you have an idea how someone with autism reacts at a wedding, party or large or loud event? If holding her yorkie settles her niece, why not? Screaming or yelling out loud at a wedding would not have been the answer, meanwhile holding the yorkie or hiring a babysitter would have. Hiring a babysitter in a strange city seems a scarey thing to do in this day & age. Now IF she had said she just simply wanted to bring her and nothing else, I can see your point and even then, perhaps you can leave the anger & resentment out of it while giving your "opinion". This is a forum where each is entitled to their opinion, and yes you also but no reason I can see to get so frustrated and angry about it. It screams in your message, and using a yorkie as a calming device does not warrent that, IMO of course, perhaps next time you are typing an angry message, you hold your yorkie in your lap, the calming effect may make your message sound less bitter.

[Bama Yorkie Mom]

Originally Posted by Pattie

Linda, Did you read the first page? She brought her to help keep her niece calm during the wedding, her niece has autism. Do you have an idea how someone with autism reacts at a wedding, party or large or loud event? If holding her yorkie settles her niece, why not? Screaming or yelling out loud at a wedding would not have been the answer, meanwhile holding the yorkie or hiring a babysitter would have. Hiring a babysitter in a strange city seems a scarey thing to do in this day & age. Now IF she had said she just simply wanted to bring her and nothing else, I can see your point and even then, perhaps you can leave the anger & resentment out of it while giving your "opinion". This is a forum where each is entitled to their opinion, and yes you also but no reason I can see to get so frustrated and angry about it. It screams in your message, and using a yorkie as a calming device does not warrent that, IMO of course, perhaps next time you are typing an angry message, you hold your yorkie in your lap, the calming effect may make your message sound less bitter.

do you see anywhere in my post where I was talking to them about their episode? no. I did not ever even post to it. I only posted when I saw people talking about the rules of not having to prove or disprove why they had their dog with them which some people take advantage of. I also said, i've read more than 1 post about people taking their dogs where dogs arent allowed and breaking rules, from other threads. I did not answer this post mad. I merely stated my opinions of people who break the rules and say their dog is a s/d or t/d when it isnt and how hard it makes it for those who do need these dogs. Never did I mention this particular incident, which for your info, I wasnt talking about it. I was talking about just what I said. People who take dogs where they know their not allowed and complain if they get caught. In these peoples situation it was different but again, did they ever mention the fact they needed the dog for the girl? According to what I read, I didnt see where they did until after the fact. I'm only criticizing people who break the law just to take their little dogs in places because they want to and some who have posed theirs as s/d, and t/d when they werent, which may in return make it hard for people just like these people. So I dont think you read my post clearly or understood what I said. but thanks for your rude input when you misinterpreted everything I said. And for your info, I do understand autism and I understand not only THAT need for a t/d or s/d, but for others and thats why I said, I've read other post. As you see, I said nothing about these people. So you just take post and turn them into people being mad because they simply stated facts from other situations that may eventually lead up to hurting people in this situation. To me your the one who sounds extremely mad. I'm not. I just dont understand people who do what I said. Not the people in this situation, altho this situation did get my attention after they went back to the hotel knowing this, but i've said nothing about this certain incident anywhere on this whole thread. If I were mad about this post, you can believe I would of said something sooner. I've found out since i've been on the forum, that is suppose to be for everyones opinions, that if you say one thing someone doesnt agree with, then you have so many just keep the stink going but adding and taking away from things that were said. Oh but thats life for some people. tell it their way or no way. I do have my opinions and I dont feel I have said anything to have hurt these people at all. Just to the ones that break the rules when theres simply no need for it. So you can take my post anyway you want to, but I was JMO like I said and apparently you just didnt agree with my opinion. So maybe you are one of those that break the rules by taking your dogs where their not allowed. Why else would you form such and opinion of me being mad in my post? This is all I have to say on the subject. So you know my opinion without keeping it going, altho I still dont know why you got so angry.

[daisysis]

I've found out since i've been on the forum, that is suppose to be for everyones opinions, that if you say one thing someone doesnt agree with, then you have so many just keep the stink going but adding and taking away from things that were said.

I AGREE!!!!

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I think taking our pets with us on some trips is great - and a fun thing to do. But - I can't imagine booking a room anywhere and paying for it in advance without finding out if my dog is allowed. I can't imagine not doing this because there are so many places that don't allow pets.

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I think this whole thing was a very unfortunate experience.... but I'd just write it off as a "lesson learned." And I think sharing this experience on YT - has helped to remind all of us to remember to check the "pet policies" whenever we book rooms at motels or hotels. Carol Jean

Good Post! I agree.

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by Bama Yorkie Mom

... I think its great people can have s/d and t/d and take them where they need to go with them. But I have read (not 1 but several)post here where people are taking their dogs places their not allowed and posing them as s/d and t/d. To me that is such a bad thing.

I agree. And, dogs aren't service dogs because we say they are; there is a certification process involved.

[She-ra's Mama]

Ohh! Bless your heart! Yes I would have been livid!! OUr dogs stay with family if we go away, since the hotals we always want to stay in, normally don't allow dogs! I hate that for you.

[Lila]

And, dogs aren't service dogs because we say they are; there is a certification process involved.

In the States, there is no 'certification process', but Service Dogs are usually prescribed by one's physician. Being disabled and have the script are all the 'proof' one needs, although it is not necessary to produce it.

Hopefully people will not pretend to be disabled to be allowed the company of their dog!

All in all, I am sure most people that read this thread will double-check with their destination to assure themselves that their dogs are welcome-no matter what their status!

[Pattie]

Originally Posted by Bama Yorkie Mom

do you see anywhere in my post where I was talking to them about their episode? no. I did not ever even post to it. I only posted when I saw people talking about the rules of not having to prove or disprove why they had their dog with them which some people take advantage of. I also said, i've read more than 1 post about people taking their dogs where dogs arent allowed and breaking rules, from other threads. I did not answer this post mad. I merely stated my opinions of people who break the rules and say their dog is a s/d or t/d when it isnt and how hard it makes it for those who do need these dogs. Never did I mention this particular incident, which for your info, I wasnt talking about it. I was talking about just what I said. People who take dogs where they know their not allowed and complain if they get caught. In these peoples situation it was different but again, did they ever mention the fact they needed the dog for the girl? According to what I read, I didnt see where they did until after the fact. I'm only criticizing people who break the law just to take their little dogs in places because they want to and some who have posed theirs as s/d, and t/d when they werent, which may in return make it hard for people just like these people. So I dont think you read my post clearly or understood what I said. but thanks for your rude input when you misinterpreted everything I said. And for your info, I do understand autism and I understand not only THAT need for a t/d or s/d, but for others and thats why I said, I've read other post. As you see, I said nothing about these people. So you just take post and turn them into people being mad because they simply stated facts from other situations that may eventually lead up to hurting people in this situation. To me your the one who sounds extremely mad. I'm not. I just dont understand people who do what I said. Not the people in this situation, altho this situation did get my attention after they went back to the hotel knowing this, but i've said nothing about this certain incident anywhere on this whole thread. If I were mad about this post, you can believe I would of said something sooner. I've found out since i've been on the forum, that is suppose to be for everyones opinions, that if you say one thing someone doesnt agree with, then you have so many just keep the stink going but adding and taking away from things that were said. Oh but thats life for some people. tell it their way or no way. I do have my opinions and I dont feel I have said anything to have hurt these people at all. Just to the ones that break the rules when theres simply no need for it. So you can take my post anyway you want to, but I was JMO like I said and apparently you just didnt agree with my opinion. So maybe you are one of those that break the rules by taking your dogs where their not allowed. Why else would you form such and opinion of me being mad in my post? This is all I have to say on the subject. So you know my opinion without keeping it going, altho I still dont know why you got so angry.

Read what Lila wrote, then take the time to go to one of the many web sites concerning this issue. Yes I saw on her original post that she mentioned her niece with autism, in the US there is no certification process, and people who know what they are taking about know this, and YES what she intended to do was legal with regards to her niece, someone mentioned they do not live together, that doesn't matter, my girls do not live with my patients, yet they adult sit with them and help at least 2 with hearing loss, (alarms doorbells etc) and IF you weren't talking about the niece involved here BUT OTHER threads as you stated, why not put your opinion on the thread that was bringing the Yorkie without cause? Why post it here where this woman had cause? and how can you post here, now state you weren't referring to this incident at all? So I don't think I misinterpeted much, altho misinterperting here or on an IM is very easy, sometimes things sound rude on line, where in person they do not. I know people who must take their dogs with them because of severe cases of separation anxiety, in which case I think it would be wrong to pass it off and a therapy dog, but not all owners take them because they want the oohs and aaahs. I've heard of them having seisures, so for many they must keep pets with them because of the canines medical condition. but again on this thread, I took it like she really wanted her niece to sit quietly as possibly, relaxed, relieved & secure, in which case it would be considered that the dog was working.

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by Lila

In the States, there is no 'certification process', but Service Dogs are usually prescribed by one's physician. Being disabled and have the script are all the 'proof' one needs, although it is not necessary to produce it.

Actually, we're both a little bit right. There is a certification process and a registry, the largest one (to my knowledge) being SARA - Service Animal Registry of America. However, certification is voluntary at this time.

Originally Posted by Lila

Hopefully people will not pretend to be disabled to be allowed the company of their dog!

I sure hope not. IMHO, it's a grave disservice to the truly disabled who require service dogs in order to live more independently.