Have Service Dog, Will Travel

Have Service Dog, Will Travel

Service Dogs are becoming more and more socially accepted in today's busy lifestyle. With that said, there are a lot of misconceptions as to the actual purpose of a service dog and the corresponding laws governing the rights of these dogs and their humans. I have designed this site for the purpose of educating the general public and for providing resources for people traveling with service dogs.

I am a travel writer/critic and have recently started traveling with my service dog and loyal companion, Dexter. He provides an endearing service to me, so while traveling with Dexter a.k.a. "The Bug", I must keep his needs met as well as mine. This can be challenging at times which is why "The Bug" and I are on a mission to gather as much information and as many travel resources as possible for our fellow service dogs and their traveling humans. 

If  you have a story about a service dog or some useful information to share with other readers, please feel free to e-mail me at annie@thesavvytourist.com.  

Happy Travels!

Annie & The Bug

Service Dogs can do amazing things

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United Air Lines Assists Guide Dogs in Training

One of the most difficult areas of travel for people with dogs is air travel, or so it is thought to be. As many of my savvy readers know from my travels over at The Savvy Tourist, I am a huge advocate of air travel and I write about it quite frequently. Unfortunately, Dexter, a.k.a. The Bug, has yet to step a paw on an airplane. I have been trying to plan the perfect opportunity to just go out on a day trip and possibly take a short flight to visit a friend for a night and them fly back. Although The Bug and I haven't any problems wherever we go, I really have no idea how he is going to react to the noises and equipment at an airport, let alone the cramped environment of an actual airplane. These are things that new puppy owners never think about which is why we stress the socialization process with young pups. 

Well, United Air Lines has made it possible to acclimate some up and coming new guide dogs to the wonders of air travel. Read below how they worked with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and their volunteer puppy raisers so as to eventually make someone's life a lot easier when they need to travel by air. Kudos to United!

From United Daily Newsletter:

We help puppies learn how to fly

Last Thursday, we hosted seven future guide dogs and their trainers, giving the pups an opportunity to experience the sights and smells of an aircraft and airport. The group from Guide Dogs for the Blind toured SJC (San Jose, Calif.), navigating the shuttle bus, security, concourse and gates before boarding a Boeing 757 and a 737.

“These dogs will have an important job, and their future owners may be our passengers,” said Service Director Sam Owens. “We’re happy to make our aircraft available to help.”

Station Training Coordinator Christine Degner and Sam talked about how our team at SJC monitors the flight arrivals and departures to best serve a customer with a guide dog or other service animal. “They asked us questions about how we accommodate persons with guide dogs and if any conflicts such as pet allergies or phobias ever arise,” Christine said. “It was a good opportunity for both sides to exchange information.”

Volunteer puppy raisers start working with the dogs when they’re six to eight weeks old. When they’re 15-18 months old, they begin formal guide dog training, which takes two to three months. Guide Dogs for the Blind has more than 1,000 volunteers who raise and socialize puppies in eight Western states and supports more than 2,000 graduates across the U.S. and Canada.

I am planning to co-ordinate a similar day for my fellow service dogs in training here in the Inland Valley. Hopefully we can visit the Ontario Airport. Keep checking back for details!

Come fly with us!

Annie & The Bug 

            

Paws of Love

 

Dexter, a.k.a. "The Bug", recently applied to become a Therapy Dog. He went through the testing process and he passed!! The Bug is a bit of a goof, but apparently the evaluators possess a strong sense of humor and really appreciated his personality. In the process, he also earned his CGC certificate from the AKC. Too many acronyms for ya? Well that means he got his Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club. Technically, it means he behaves in public better than most adults and some children.  Doesn't he look proud?

 

The Bug and I are very happy to be a part of a new therapy program, Paws of Love, here in our local area. It is a Pathways to Hope program. If you are one of my regular readers you will recognize that from our humanitarian page where I introduced you to Sister Pauline Quinn. She is the one who started Pathways to Hope.

 

So far we have met some amazing new friends, both furry and not so furry. We are looking forward to visiting people in nursing homes, schools, libraries and anywhere else they would appreciate a little companionship and quality time with us and our new friends at Paws of Love.

 

Disney Dogs

 

When I say Disney dogs you probably think "Pluto" or "Goofy" or maybe even "Pongo" or that beloved couple, "Lady and the Tramp".  Well, actually I am referring to your faithful service dog becoming a Disney dog. The many parks at Walt Disney World in Florida, as well as Disneyland and California Adventure here in Southern California can appear very intimidating with a dog in tow, or lead for that matter. But with a little help, your dog can become a Disney dog too!

 

I have co-ordinated with the happy folks at Disney and been given some very valuable information for guests traveling with service dogs. Disney welcomes service dogs and their humans with open arms and we all hope this information will allow you to really enjoy the true magic of Disney. Please remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times and know that Disney Cast Members are not allowed to handle service dogs.

California Parks:

 Trained service animals can accompany guests on most attractions, however, due to the nature of the experience, Disney is unable to allow service dogs on the following attractions:

Disneyland Park

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Gadget's Go Coaster
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours

Disney's California Adventure Park

• California Screamin'
• Grizzly River Run
• Jumpin' Jellyfish
• Goofy's Sky School
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Soarin' Over California
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Trained service dogs can accompany guests in all areas of the hotels, however they must remain on a leash or harness, except while in the hotel room.

Service Animal Relief Areas 

Service dogs are welcome to use any open outdoor area for their relief. This includes the theme parks, Downtown Disney, Hotels, and other guest areas.

Additionally, Disney has also provided designated service dog relief areas within the parks:

Main Entrance Esplanade

• Disneyland Kennel Club

Disneyland Park

• Fronteirland: Fronteirland/Fantasyland transition
• Fantasyland Hub: planter on right leading from Central Hub towards Matterhorn
• New Orleans Square: Fountain area planter on right near Train Station and Haunted Mansion

Disney's California Adventure

• Golden State: Grizzly River Run area, near "Grizzly Peak Pass" sign
• A Bug's Land: Flik's Fun Fair - main path on left
• Paradise Pier: Access gate between Seaside Souvenirs & The Little Mermaid-Ariel's Undersea Adventure extended queue

Designated relief areas are identified with signs and also marked on the Theme Park Guide Maps. If you need assistance after your dog uses a relief area, please notify a Cast Member to make arrangements for disposal.

Non-service dogs are welcome to hang out with the friendly Cast Members at the Disneyland Kennel Club for the day.

 

Florida Parks:

Walt Disney World

Trained service dogs are welcome in most locations throughout The Walt Disney World Resort. They must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Guests should follow the same attraction entrance procedures as described for Guests using wheelchairs.

Due to the nature of some attractions, service dogs may not be permitted to ride. In those instances, a member of your party must stay with your dog. Disney Cast Members are not allowed to handle your dog, so please do not ask.

Due to the nature of the experience, service dogs are not allowed on the following Disney Theme Park attractions:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain

Epcot

• Mission: SPACE
• Test Track
• The Land: Soarin'

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

• Affection Section at Rafiki's Planet Watch
• DINOSAUR
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl

Due to the nature of the experience, Guests with service dogs visiting Walt Disney World Resort should check with a Cast Member before boarding the following attractions:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Prince Charming's Regal Carousel
• Stitch's Great Escape

Epcot

• Imagination: "Honey, I Shrunk The Audience"
• Innoventions East and West
• Spaceship Earth

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Great Movie Ride
• Toy Story Mania

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

• "It's Tough To Be A Bug"
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Aviary area of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
• Aviary area of Maharajah Jungle Trek

Service Animal Relief Areas

Each Disney Theme Park allows Guests to use backstage locations for service animal relief areas. Please consult the Guide for Guests with Disabilities, available at each Disney Theme Park, for specific information.

Airport Relief for your Dog

This subject has become increasingly more important to me as The Bug and I venture out to blaze the trail for all of our service dog friends. I got this recent article from our friends at PetRelocation.com.

The Department of Transportation Wants to Know: How Should Airport Pet-Relief Areas be Improved?

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Caitlin Moore

Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation announced plans to make changes to the rules regarding service animal relief areas in airports, and they're now accepting feedback from the public about how to proceed. 

Last year we published a pet-friendly airport series that took a look at a few facilities, and we found that some airports had better relief areas than others. Airports are required by law to provide amenities for service animals (and by extension, all traveling pets), but a uniform set of requirements has yet to be put in place. 

Currently it's being proposed that one animal relief area exist per terminal, which most people would agree isn't enough, and the placement of the relief areas is also a topic of debate. John Ensminger, a lawyer, writer and dog advocate, has created a comprehensive rundown of the current situation on his blog, Dog Law Reporter, and you can check out PetRelocation.com's full Pet-Friendly Airport Series on our blog.

Have you traveled through an airport with a dog lately? Do you have some ideas about the availability of pet relief areas and where they should be located? Well, now is the time make your voices heard.  Take a look at the official report and then submit your input sometime before November 28, 2011.