Help! Want To Take Yorkie To Disney

[myteddybear]

It looks like you are just stuck as it seems like every possible thing has been mentioned and then some.

I hope you can figure it out.

Kim

[CollegeCutieUSF]

I think you should still give it some thought to staying at one of the many hotels right outside the disney property. Many of them also have shuttle services to and from the park, which would make it easy for you or your husband to transport your son when he has an episode. Also, this way you would have the puppy there and I'm sure petting her will help to clam him down. Iin most cases, it's not that much longer of a trip than if you were staying at a disney hotel and used the shuttles to get back.

Also, if your doctor writes a note stating that the dog must be with your son for medical purposes, then the hotel should acknowledge that, because if they do not let you then they are risking a lawsuit for discrimination on account of a handicap.

Either way, I hope everything works out for you!

[CollegeCutieUSF]

OK, so I just went to that service dog website that someone previously posted, and look what I found right there on the first page:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

You should tell this to the hotel the next time you call. They can not discriminate against your situation, because under the ADA (americans with disabilities act) your son's dog calms his moods and keeps him in a relaxed state. (I'm sure your doctor can write you a letter w/ a legit reason). But for whatever reason you son needs to be with this dog, they can not discriminate against that just because you don't have papers for the dog or you can threaten with leagal action.

[Sawyers mommy]

I understand. I thought maybe we could take a picture of him with his dog, and I will print it out for him to look at during the day if he starts to miss his dog. I hope you find a way to work this out, and if anything changes while you are there and I can help, please let me know. if you want me to I will pm you with my phone number.

[celstu1]

how old is your son? (sorry I didnt read all the responses before I posted)? It might be that he is too exhausted by the end of a long fun filled day to be too upset that Nina is not with you guys for 5 days?? Or do you think he'll remember anyways?

[jrsygal37]

Hey there. You can try to get a supervisor at the resort. Tell them she is a companion animal. That may help. I'm not sure how old your son is, but I have an 11 yr. old son who is mildly autistic. I know that when he was younger things were hard to always explain to him, but I do think you would be better off allowing your parents to pet sit and just keep assuring him that she is alright. Sometimes if you feed into the fear it's worse. There are quite a few great books out there about autism that I've read. I'm always researching. If ever I can help you out with anything pls. feel free to PM me. I may not have the answer but I've been through it with my little guy. Elaine

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by CollegeCutieUSF

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

You should tell this to the hotel the next time you call. They can not discriminate against your situation, because under the ADA (americans with disabilities act) your son's dog calms his moods and keeps him in a relaxed state. (I'm sure your doctor can write you a letter w/ a legit reason). But for whatever reason you son needs to be with this dog, they can not discriminate against that just because you don't have papers for the dog or you can threaten with leagal action.

You are right, they cannot discriminate against him for any reason, however, the puppy does not qualify as a service animal and does not meet the description you posted. The dog as not been "trained" to provide assistance. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's just the fact of the matter.

To the OP, I understand your not wanting to stay offsite--we make several trips a year and we don't want to stay offside either. As mentioned before, you CAN still get your money back if you cancel your reservations, if you decide you have to go that route. Unfortunately, Disney is notorious for being pretty strict about their policies and I really don't see how you will be able to get around this one.
And as for the suggestion of 'sneaking the dog in'--don't you kind of think that the trama of getting kicked out (and THEN losing money) would be far worse for this family?

I do know some who have used the kennels and say they are great. Sadly, I see no 'ideal' situation to remedy your problem as you seem pretty set in what you want and knowing Disney they are set in their ways. Hopefully your son will be too distracted by all the things going on that he won't notice.

[Itspuppyluv]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

You are right, they cannot discriminate against him for any reason, however, the puppy does not qualify as a service animal and does not meet the description you posted. The dog as not been "trained" to provide assistance. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's just the fact of the matter.

Plus even with a real service dog one of the most important things is they must be well trained. A blind person can bring their seeing eye dog anywhere but if the dog is barking out of control they can be asked to remove the dog and it would not be breaking the law.

I think a puppy being trained as a service animal they might let some things slide but if it's barking in a hotel room hours at a time you could have a problem.

It's not going to help you with the Disney situation but if I were you, I would start training this puppy as a service dog for your son. There are so many things dogs can be trained to do that will qualify them as service dogs.

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

You are right, they cannot discriminate against him for any reason, however, the puppy does not qualify as a service animal and does not meet the description you posted. The dog as not been "trained" to provide assistance. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's just the fact of the matter.

To the OP, I understand your not wanting to stay offsite--we make several trips a year and we don't want to stay offside either. As mentioned before, you CAN still get your money back if you cancel your reservations, if you decide you have to go that route. Unfortunately, Disney is notorious for being pretty strict about their policies and I really don't see how you will be able to get around this one.
And as for the suggestion of 'sneaking the dog in'--don't you kind of think that the trama of getting kicked out (and THEN losing money) would be far worse for this family?

I do know some who have used the kennels and say they are great. Sadly, I see no 'ideal' situation to remedy your problem as you seem pretty set in what you want and knowing Disney they are set in their ways. Hopefully your son will be too distracted by all the things going on that he won't notice.

Bama is totally right about your baby not qualifying as a service animal. She might qualify as an emotional support animal, though. Look into that. Good luck.

[Ines3185lyorkie]

You all are so thoughtful in giving ideas. One of the good ideas that I am going to be following up on is training Nina to be a service dog. She would help him emotionally to be able to go on outings and spend more time in places since he is less anxious when she is there. You all are so sweet and caring.

PS. Since we adopted our first dog, Chris has started being more outgoing, having more eye contact and he is now very aware of us (his parents and brothers). Our dogs have been therapy for him. I can't say that dogs would work for every mentally disabled individual but it has been a miracle for our Chris.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[yorkiies4u]

I thought everybody might want to see this from the perspective of a Hotel Manager. Any service dog is allowed in a hotel unless it is causing a disturbance. However, the dog MUST be certified as a service dog. This is the ADA regulations. My recommendation is that you kennel you pet. I understand that you don't want to do this, however, it would be better than the $100+ fine for having a dog in the room and getting kicked out by the staff. I have had to do this on numerous occasions and I hope you will take my advise. A note to everyone: If you are going to stay in a hotel, motel, inn, or b&b; let the staff know ahead of time that you have a pet with you. NEVER try to sneak a pet into a room, no matter how quiet you think he/she is. 99% of the time you will get caught and pay an additional fine.

[yorkiegirl83]

This is a really tough situation. I think either kenneling the puppy at Disney or leaving the puppy with your parents is the best solution, or as mentioned before, cancelling your trip.

I hope the situation works out for you!

[crystalsmom]

It is truly amazing what a dog can do for a child. When I had my first yorkie we did volunteer work at Childrens Hospital and the differnce it made to take their minds off pain was unbelievable. I hear it's the same with those that go to nursing homes.

I just wish you had a relative that your son knows well that you could leave the pup with and he could go with you that day to deliver him and he would know he was getting good care and where he was. You are the only one that knows your child and his reactions but I've found sometimes vacations close to home while they are small is really your best bet even without a pup.

Say hello to Mickey and Minnie

[Ines3185lyorkie]

Originally Posted by yorkiies4u

I thought everybody might want to see this from the perspective of a Hotel Manager. Any service dog is allowed in a hotel unless it is causing a disturbance. However, the dog MUST be certified as a service dog. This is the ADA regulations. My recommendation is that you kennel you pet. I understand that you don't want to do this, however, it would be better than the $100+ fine for having a dog in the room and getting kicked out by the staff. I have had to do this on numerous occasions and I hope you will take my advise. A note to everyone: If you are going to stay in a hotel, motel, inn, or b&b; let the staff know ahead of time that you have a pet with you. NEVER try to sneak a pet into a room, no matter how quiet you think he/she is. 99% of the time you will get caught and pay an additional fine.

I would never "sneak" any dog into a hotel room. Not only bause of the fine and being thrown out but having my dog stolen. I hope that hotel chains start to understand that a lot of pet owners wish to have their pets with them on a vacation and accomodate them. For instance Universal Studios has set aside "pet friendly" rooms for guests. Not "service dogs" but pets. They pay $25 additionally a night per pet (2 is limit) and their rooms are apart from other regular rooms. Pet owners are spending a lot of money on their beloved pets. Business is money, it's time the hotel business realizes this and catches up.

In conclusion, I am not changing to Universal not because I am stubborn but because my son with autism likes all Disney things and this vacation is for him. This is the reason we are going to Disney and staying inside. If he didn't have a mental disability we would be going elsewhere.

[Ines3185lyorkie]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

It is truly amazing what a dog can do for a child. When I had my first yorkie we did volunteer work at Childrens Hospital and the differnce it made to take their minds off pain was unbelievable. I hear it's the same with those that go to nursing homes.

I just wish you had a relative that your son knows well that you could leave the pup with and he could go with you that day to deliver him and he would know he was getting good care and where he was. You are the only one that knows your child and his reactions but I've found sometimes vacations close to home while they are small is really your best bet even without a pup.

Say hello to Mickey and Minnie

I am planning to have Nina registered as a service dog and bacause she is so friendly she can be taught to be a therapy dog as well. I remember when my grandmother was in a nursing home a lot of the residents were given stuffed dogs to keep in their rooms. The residents would love to see anyone who would talk to them and spend time with them. Thinking back a therapy dog would have been a godsend to so many of them. Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe that is one of Nina's purpose in life.