NCWriter,
I will try and remember to do some trip posts of our ferry experience with my SD. I have no issues traveling with my SD, Violet. She was professionally trained by and organization called "Four Paws For Vets", out of Sacramento, CA. We spent nine months in training together; it was brutal for me ;)
I enjoy, and of course need Violet by my side, and she performs, as she should, most of the time. She is a dog after all, and so she does loose it from time to time. She is easy most of the time, but sometimes she gets irritable of other people always approaching us. She was trained to cover me however, so its part of her job. She is wonderful around kids, and does very well in stores and places we eat at. What she gets excited about is seeing other dogs, in stores, at the airport, etc.
We see more and more non-working "pets" going in and out of public places these days and they can cause a scene, when not properly trained. Violet gets antsy and usually barks at other dogs, which she really shouldn't do. But it's usually because the other non-working "pet" is uncontrolled, allowed to wonder around as if they were at a park, or at home; this causes a lot of grief for those of us who need our SD's by our side, and who are legally in working mode.
Unfortunately, we're seeing more and more people, who are bringing their “pet” dogs into travel mode out of convenience for themselves, not necessarily out of need. Some people have even purchased vests with emblems, suggesting that they have a SD or therapy dog need, doing so for their own convenience; they have no legal access. If caught, they can be fined, but usually at the very least, they are not permitted public access. There is a difference between a SD and Therapy dog.
I once witnessed a lady bringing a small dog on board a plane. She had a small lap dog and it was wearing a vest that stated therapy dog. The desk receptionist requested validation for which the lady had none; she was denied travel with the dog in the cabin area and had to purchase a kennel from the airline and have the dog travel in the cargo area.
Legitimate SD’s have legal rights under ADA and the Justice Department laws. They are permitted into all public places. Not all therapy dogs have the same unlimited access, like SD’s. Only those therapy dogs that are under physician’s orders have the same access as most SD’s, and they will have credentials with them, as I do. Therapy dogs are permitted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual who as the control of access. Most attendants of public places don’t even ask, but they’re getting better.
Because of the increasing numbers of non-working “pet” owners attempting to pass their “pets” off as working service animals, more and more businesses and public places are requesting validation of credentials from people, which I firmly believe they should. After all, the purpose for public access for people with SD’s is due to their disability needs, both physical and mental. If they are legitimate, they will have no issues with providing credentials, and we gladly do.
Sorry, I just carried on about SD’s didn’t I?
Again, we will make every effort to make trip posts, and share our experience.
Thanks!
