These days anyone can go to a website and sign up their show dog, or pet as a service dog and fly with it in cabin at any time, at no cost and no questions can be asked.
I recently was on a fight from Florida to Toronto, and walking to the bathroom I saw a family of 3 in the middle 3 seats, each family member had a pet Bichon cross on their knee, 3 people 3 dogs, no service dog identification on any.
We have an article in this issue of yet another state in the USA proposing a bill to stop the fraudulent use of "service dogs." Yes, we all agree on legitimate service dogs!!!
It has become totally out of control in North America. We all travel to shows and we see a large increases in this misuse of a very important service that genuine service dogs provide.
We see show dog service dog travel spike in hot weather, when airline embargos are in place, as well for the "big important shows", and when airlines can not accommodate the larger breeds on their aircraft.
Heidi Gervais – British Columbia
I questioned someone that flew to Westminster with their dog on the plane with them. This was a VERY large dog and I asked him if they flew her as a service dog, his reply was no that is wrong - she went as an "emotional support" dog. All he had to do was go to his doctor and he would give him a letter.
I think this is where the problem is, because they don't need to wear a jacket or have an ID because no one can question "what the emotional support is for" ... I said we should all be able to fly with our dogs because I think we ALL need emotional support!!
The bottom line is - if you need to go to a show so badly get in your vehicle and drive.
Cynthia Crysdale – Ontario
I think it is incredibly selfish to represent a show dog who is not truly a service dog, as a service dog, in order to avoid paying carriage fees.
To perpetuate the abuse of the system in this way is arrogant, and obviously self-serving. At some point, something will happen on a flight, or several flights, and then service dogs, which actually have a valuable function, will not be allowed on any flights.
As intelligent and responsible adults, we should be able to self-monitor, and have a sense of common decency and sensitivity to those people who actually need and use service dogs.
Caroline Thibodeau – Quebec
I'm not sure how you can control this, as the investigation that the airlines can do into the status of a service dog is very limited. I personally know people who have legitimate service dog status on their dog, but the dog flies with a handler who does not have the issue that requires a service dog.
It's a hard one to police and it seems that many of the people in the fancy do not have a conscience. I would like to see it controlled better but unless someone is able to actually determine why the dog is being used as a service dog, I'm not sure that is possible. It would be nice to think that our colleagues were not abusing the system but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Carol Graham – Alberta
It seems this is happening more and more today. I am hearing of many of our show dogs travelling as service dogs when they are not, and I have been on a plane as a judge when I have seen an exhibitor with their dog as a service dog.
Apparently you can buy service dog vests very easy. I think the first thing that needs to happen is this needs to be corrected where it has to be made harder for a dog to qualify as a service dog, and indeed have proper documentation etc.
Unfortunately once again when this type of thing goes on and the system is abused, everyone will suffer in the end. We could see the time come when dogs will not fly at all, then what?
Heather Acheson – Ontario
This is fast becoming a crisis… It will not be long before legitimate service dogs will be denied access with their owner, and those who have no credentials will be allowed on flights. Personally I prefer to see a central testing criteria for licensing service dog trainers. If all dogs who are providing had a place to go to work with their dogs and become certified as a service or therapy dog, that is accepted by all venues and that standardized gear for the dog to wear when on duty be put into place. Airlines need to know what are accepted patches and gear for dogs before allowing them on a plane. A copy of a license should also need to be provided… Much like a passport.
Family pets need to be put in the cargo holds, show dogs need to be paced in the cargo hold, or make alternate plans that may require extended travel by other means, well in advance………Hey a pet transport or show dog transport service. Is someone looking for a new business idea?
Dr. Richard Meen – Ontario
Your question really isn’t about authentic “service dogs”. I am confident but rather the unethical practice of some “fanciers”. All dogs are “service dogs”. That is what they were bred to do?
Some human beings are not clear what the particular breed’s “service” is supposed to be. I suppose it is possible that a canine may have a dual purpose because they all seem to want to please their owners. Heavens, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was designed to be multi-purposed. Ands they do it well.
The truth is that you are raising a much greater issue: “What is a show dog?” and “What purpose is truly being served, by flying them around the country?”
My guess is that many dogs would prefer to be in the safety of their crate with some peace and quiet away from their neurotic owners, or handlers, if it is really essential for them to so travel. Being at the show itself is enough for them to have to put up with. They like the break.
I have experienced large dogs in the seat sections of a plane, and then seen them at the show the next day. I have never noticed them being properly harnessed to be safe but rather stuffed between their person’s legs with a very uncomfortable expression on their face, and an even worse one on many of the other passengers!!! No wonder dog people get a difficult reputation. It would be nice if the owners gave their dogs the same consideration that their dogs give them.
Robert Denis – Ontario
Years ago while on a flight from LAX to Tucson, Arizona we saw one of the top US Handlers and his show dog ready to board our flight.
The dog was one of the top dogs that year, and he had on his little “service dog vest” and was playing service dog to his not very needy handler. As a judge it was very obvious that the handler/exhibitor was bending the rules, and trying to get preferential treatment for himself and his dog.
There should be consequences to such action. BUT the problem is that
there are always those that try different ways to bend the rules and often they are successful at doing it. Rules are “bent” by so many in so many ways, that it becomes very difficult to police.
Airlines can’t ask questions and you must be worried about the potential to offend somebody. It is often simpler to avoid confrontation and eliminate potential conflict, but in the current state of affairs with the mass abuse… One day no animals might be able to fly.
Dave d’Amour – Alberta
This one is a kicker, it's pretty sad to see the Saint Bernard run to Orlando as a service dog. I've had personal friends do it, a lot of the handlers have service dog vests in their tack box.
Now what that does for somebody like me that lives life in a wheel chair, that really needs my dog, is make it very difficult. It even makes it more difficult for people that don't have such a visible disability such as mine.
I have used a wheelchair for almost three decades, and I've seen it get ridiculous especially in the US. It is no longer just service dogs, it's service horses, turkeys, cats, rabbits, and whatever else. My Giant Schnauzers are very well behaved and trained well for their job they perform for me.
Currently in Canada: Approved by the OHRC: June 27, 2016
Available online: www.ohrc.on.ca
Policy on and discrimination based on disability:
People with disabilities who use service animals to assist them with
disability related needs (such as anxiety) are also protected under the definitionof “disability” in section 10 of the Code.
Service animals do not have to be trained or certified by a recognized disability related organization.
People with disabilities who use service animals to assist them with
Disability related needs (such as anxiety) are also protected under the definition of “disability” in section 10 of the Code.
Service animals do not have to be trained or certified by a recognized disability related organization.
Service providers and others who receive such documentation should not use their own assumptions and observations to second-guess this verification.
Right now certification for service animals is a monopoly in our country, and only ADI can certify dogs in Canada.
Right now anybody can get away with it because, nobody really knows what they are looking for in certification anyway. The abusers buy a vest and sew on a patch, and away they go, travel anywhere… Until there is a total revamping of the certification process, one acceptable vest and one ID across the board, it will continue as a free for all, being abused until in the end we all suffer.
Heather Wippler – Ontario
It is sad in this day and age, that once again what should be used by a
person in genuine need of a service dog, has just become a fraudulent act by many to get from point A to B.
People who use it as a means to get their show dog to the next show should be ashamed of themselves. This abuse will only go on for so long, and one day we may see air travel in cabin stopped for all…
There is no greater joy for me than seeing a service dog performing the life saving job it has been trained to do for their person.
On the other hand a top winning show dog laying on the floor in an aircraft, going to a dog show, should a) be in the hold below
, b) under the seat in a carrier, or c) in a vehicle driving to a show.
Tracy Dineley – Ontario
I absolutely think that there should be stringent rules for service dogs and their people. The service dogs that I have known had to go through special training. They were certified. The owners also went through training.
When working, the dogs wore something that made it very clear that they were working. Generally other people were not to touch or engage with dog while working.
The abuse of the term service dogs because people want their dogs in cabin on the flight, hurts everyone. I think the people with the service dogs should carry certification or a card, I think anyone caught abusing the system should be punished by a fine or something.
We all would like to travel with our dogs on our laps. But since we can not do that, we should all obey the laws and rules. If we don't, there will be a day that airlines will no longer fly any dogs, service dogs or not.
Vicki Fierheller - Ontario
I find it is very upsetting that people try to pull this stunt. It really is an abuse of the system when every Tom, Dick or Harry thinks it is their right to do this.
There are legitimate handicapped people with legitimate service dogs who legitimately should be able to have their dogs with them on the plane.
If you are traveling with your pet or showdog, you should darn well be ethical and either pay to have the dog in the cabin under the seat or in the cargo section.
I have even seen ads for buying fake service jackets. I mean, really!
I do feel strongly about this issue and yes, there should be fines for those that abuse the system.
I think the only way around this is to have service dogs issued their own special "passport" if you will, that certifies them as being true service dogs.
Sad, that it has come to the honour system no longer working.
