Dogs on the ship

[oliver1821]

Last April on the Eurodam there was a sweet couple in wheelchairs. They had a service dog equally as sweet that did not disturb anyone. Not sure what service this little Yorkie did but what was the harm?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I just got back from Alaska on the Statendam and noticed at least 3 "service dogs" on the ship. I don't think I have ever seen dogs on the ship before. Just wondered if this is more common now and how others felt about it. I'm not much of a fan of sitting next to a dog in the MDR.

Maybe it was a group ..

[holacanada]

We were on a cruise with a service cat a few years ago … The owner asked other passengers not to pet or otherwise approach the cat

 

… a cat …? :D

Edited August 17, 2015 by holacanada

[POA1]

Maybe it was a group ..

We actually had a group of 5 puppy trainers for Guide Dogs for the Blind on a cruise a few years ago. My wife was in heaven. Our two Labs were at home in Maine with the dogsitter, so it was nice to have small, emergency backup dogs on the ship. (We didn’t interrupt the dogs when they were working. We've been Guide Dog sponsors for years, and we know the rules.)

[sail7seas]

How wonderful to sponsor Guide Dogs. Great thing to do.

[Cruizer Bill]

Actually, I'm surprised we have not seen a cruise line or a particular cruise marketed to dog owners. I fully expected that to happen.

[TiogaCruiser]

Didn't we once have a HAL cruiser with a service cat? I believe the cat was trained to monitor some sleeping disorder or something like that.

 

Yes. I think it was about 5 or more years ago. The pax herself started it. IIRC the it was Westerdam and the cat was some exotic breed. She was not happy that HAL had told her the cat had to stay with her and could not be left alone in the room. Apparently this wasn't working out well as the cat had to sleep during the day because he was up all night on duty (while she slept).

[Tika]

Those complaining about the dogs swimming obviously haven't walked further down the beach and watched the horses dropping road apples on the beach and in the water! :)

 

Good one.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kftw]

We had a small "service dog" on our last cruise that was being pushed around in a stroller!

 

Was it what I would call a small "lap dog"? If so, I've cruised with the same "service dog" riding in a stroller.

[serendipity1499]

… a cat …? :D

 

Yes. I think it was about 5 or more years ago. The pax herself started it. IIRC the it was Westerdam and the cat was some exotic breed. She was not happy that HAL had told her the cat had to stay with her and could not be left alone in the room. Apparently this wasn't working out well as the cat had to sleep during the day because he was up all night on duty (while she slept).

 

Many years ago I heard about a service cat, however the ADA act no longer designates cats as service animals..

 

They changed their rules in 2011 & I copied & pasted into my WORD program from another poster several years ago..Unfortunately I did not put the URL into my copy/paste..My bad.. It's quite long, but worth reading..This is the new rule:

 

Service Animals

 

The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register. These requirements, or rules, clarify and refine issues that have arisen over the past 20 years and contain new, and updated, requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (2010 Standards).

Overview

 

This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations.

 

Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA.

A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.

Generally, title II and title III entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go.

How “Service Animal” Is Defined

 

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

 

This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.

 

Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the State attorney general’s office.

 

Where Service Animals Are Allowed

 

Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

 

Service Animals Must Be Under Control

 

Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

 

Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals

 

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, for example, in a school classroom or at a homeless shelter, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility.

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.

Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.

People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals. In addition, if a business requires a deposit or fee to be paid by patrons with pets, it must waive the charge for service animals.

If a business such as a hotel normally charges guests for damage that they cause, a customer with a disability may also be charged for damage caused by himself or his service animal.

 

Staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal.

Edited August 18, 2015 by serendipity1499

[POA1]

Thanks Serendipity - if anyone needs it, here's the link to the relevant section on the US Government's ADA site.

 

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

 

Bottom line - Under the ADA, the only animals considered service animals are dogs and certain specially trained miniature horses. (You would think that I am making this up. I am not. Just follow the link and scroll to the bottom.)

Edited August 18, 2015 by POA1

[cruiserzoid]

What about helping hands monkeys? Are they Hollywood Urban myths?

[POA1]

What about helping hands monkeys? Are they Hollywood Urban myths?

That's why I posted the ADA service animals link from the government. Dogs and tiny horses only.

[3rdGenCunarder]

What about helping hands monkeys? Are they Hollywood Urban myths?

 

Other animals can be trained to help people, but they are not recognized by the ADA as service animals that can be taken into public spaces.

 

I believe a lot of the distinction has to do with behavior. Monkeys can learn many tasks, but their behavior is not as easily controlled (and they're VERY difficult to housebreak). Dogs are more obedient and can focus on their tasks better.

 

I don't know why tiny horses are allowed, what kinds of tasks they're trained for.

Edited August 18, 2015 by 3rdGenCunarder

[CruisinChris]

I travel a lot for work and I have been seeing an amazing number of "therapy" dogs on flights. These are not service dogs and have typically very tiny dogs like teacups. They are not leased or crated and are held loose in the laps of their owners during the flight. Oh and think twice before you touch or use that tray table...I've seen several dogs seated on them...

 

I do think some people are taking advantage of the lack of distinction between service and therapy animals.

[Tarpeian Rock]

That's why I posted the ADA service animals link from the government. Dogs and tiny horses only.

 

 

I recall a 2006 story from the FAA stating that "emotional support" pigs are allowed to fly. This administrative decision likely evolved apart from the ADA. We are fortunate that the FAA doesn't regulate cruise ships.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I recall a 2006 story from the FAA stating that "emotional support" pigs are allowed to fly. This administrative decision likely evolved apart from the ADA. We are fortunate that the FAA doesn't regulate cruise ships.

 

I don't mean to make fun of emotional support animals, but the idea of flying pigs has me giggling.

[DocF]

We cruised once with a woman who had a therapy dog with her. It was a Yorkie or some such tiny breed. It either rode in a stroller or, if the owner was having trouble walking, in a basket on her walker. I ate breakfast with them one morning and the dog was very well behaved. Like many tiny doggies, it was pad trained.

 

I must tell this story even if it is somewhat off topic. The dog pictured in my sig is Elmo the Uber Dachshund. He was a huge rescue dog, weighing in at 46 pounds and not at all fat. I used to help board the passengers at the Greensboro, NC AMTRAK station each morning. The lead agent and I decided I needed to bring Elmo in to be our baggage sniffing dog. It was hilarious to watch the passengers as he walked through the waiting room sniffing their carry on bags. We could easily tell the people who were holding (illicit substances) as they kept moving about trying to stay away from Elmo. Little did they know that he was just looking for goodies to eat.

[POA1]

I recall a 2006 story from the FAA stating that "emotional support" pigs are allowed to fly. This administrative decision likely evolved apart from the ADA. We are fortunate that the FAA doesn't regulate cruise ships.

I think that's why they made the changes. Not because of the pig, per se, but because of the abuse. I still think that they need to tighten things up. I've read a number of articles which talked about people with genuine needs being inconvenienced because of the bad impression left by people who flaunt the system by taking their pets and calling them service animals. (They weren't inconvenienced by businesses, but by being hassled by other people.)

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I just got back from Alaska on the Statendam and noticed at least 3 "service dogs" on the ship. I don't think I have ever seen dogs on the ship before. Just wondered if this is more common now and how others felt about it. I'm not much of a fan of sitting next to a dog in the MDR.

 

To be quite honest, animals bother me a lot less than some people.

 

I see absolutely nothing wrong with service animals accompanying their owner on a cruise. JMO.

[serendipity1499]

We cruised once with a woman who had a therapy dog with her. It was a Yorkie or some such tiny breed. It either rode in a stroller or, if the owner was having trouble walking, in a basket on her walker. I ate breakfast with them one morning and the dog was very well behaved. Like many tiny doggies, it was pad trained.

 

I must tell this story even if it is somewhat off topic. The dog pictured in my sig is Elmo the Uber Dachshund. He was a huge rescue dog, weighing in at 46 pounds and not at all fat. I used to help board the passengers at the Greensboro, NC AMTRAK station each morning. The lead agent and I decided I needed to bring Elmo in to be our baggage sniffing dog. It was hilarious to watch the passengers as he walked through the waiting room sniffing their carry on bags. We could easily tell the people who were holding (illicit substances) as they kept moving about trying to stay away from Elmo. Little did they know that he was just looking for goodies to eat.

 

Love your story about Elmo!

 

I think that's why they made the changes. Not because of the pig, per se, but because of the abuse. I still think that they need to tighten things up. I've read a number of articles which talked about people with genuine needs being inconvenienced because of the bad impression left by people who flaunt the system by taking their pets and calling them service animals. (They weren't inconvenienced by businesses, but by being hassled by other people.)

 

A major problem is, Airlines are not necessarily (sp?) governed by the ADA..

 

There is a separate Law called the "Air Carrier Access Act" which comes under the "Dept. of Transportation:.. Airlines do transport emotional support animals which can also be classified as Service Animals.. There is only one small paragraph which discusses Service animals in the ACAA...

 

Airlines are governed by the "ACAA" while Airports are governed by the 'ADA"..

 

I have no idea if cruise lines come under the "ADA" or the "ACAA"..

 

Very confusing to many..

[3rdGenCunarder]

I have a related question. Do you have to make arrangements with HAL for your service dog when you book? Or do some passengers just show up with the dog?

[serendipity1499]

I have a related question. Do you have to make arrangements with HAL for your service dog when you book? Or do some passengers just show up with the dog?

 

You must contact HAL's Access & Compliance Dept. prior to departure..

 

See: http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Accessible+Cruising&WT.ac=PopTop_Wheelchairs#

 

Quote To board the ship, your service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to our Access & Compliance Department prior to your departure. Unquote

[durangoscots]

I can not imagine anything less relaxing than a cruise with my dog . A service dog, needed for a specific function I can understand .... but Fido? - I am my dog's service person and I would be afraid I could not deliver the quality of service ....

 

Susan

[Tampa Girl]

I find that hard to believe. Cats have service humans, not the other way around.

 

Of course. But that is why they stay close to us when the time comes - they don't want to lose their service human!