# Register your "service" animal and take a plane ride! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 23, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934 "2018-04-23T02:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/21 "2018-04-23T16:08:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It’s a perfect example of ‘I’m sure your’s is fine, but what about all the others’. And let’s not compare them to children, you can leave your pets at home. > Also, as I mentioned above, what about all the people that can’t (or don’t want to) be around your pets. You can leave your children at home also. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/22 "2018-04-23T16:26:50Z")
Yup, and the people who slather themselves in perfume are being jerks, too. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/23 "2018-04-23T16:27:04Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > A few points: > > 1. More animals being around in public places is not a problem needing a solution. Kids are dirtier, louder, and more trouble. > … > 2. With the exception of planes and trains, no one is bringing their animal with them just for the fun of it. If you’re dragging your dog to Wal-mart, you probably need the dog with you. 1. I agree in general. There’s no reasonable question IME whether kids or dogs in stores are better behaved on average. It’s absolutely dogs, not even close. 2. Although AFAICS many people do bring dogs into stores ‘for the fun of it’ or anyway convenience not psycho-medical necessity. Not that I have a big problem with it. Seems to me the main cases where people opposed to bringing pets (which is again usually dogs) have a point is transport and planes particularly, where it tends to be crowded and people (as well as animals) tend to be on edge to begin with. OTOH if you’re so allergic it’s a problem to pass a dog in a store aisle you probably have a problem passing one on the street, and you or other similar extremely allergic people have problems will all kinds of other stuff. Society can’t necessarily be rearranged around that. Nor can it necessarily be rearranged around people being able to bring dogs more places granted, but the numbers are pushing it in that direction. Businesses see an opportunity in ‘pet friendly’ and accommodate it. There’s no categorical reason they shouldn’t IMO aside from food safety. A dog in Target or Walmart, assuming there’s a grocery section, is probably the owner and store owner breaking the local health code by doing and allowing that. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/24 "2018-04-23T16:42:25Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Why would I pay $79, when I can just create my own certificate on my computer and print THAT out? Maybe you can, but many people can’t. Maybe $80 is cheap to get some good-looking artwork done. However, I think the web site I linked to is counting on people not knowing that all they’re really getting is a piece of paper with a worthless drawing on it. They think that they are putting an animal in an official registry, conferring special rights and privileges on the animal and/or owner. Not long ago, I was faced with a similar option. I saw that I could get a “press pass” for a small fee. It was promoted as an official document, which is bullshit, since there is no national registry of journalists giving them special privileges (especially from a company in Germany). For the same effect, I could have drawn up an official-looking document that would work for most cases. But it would take me some time, and I might not be able to do as good a job as a professional artist, what with foil stamps and embossing, so I paid the “art” fee, and am now registered in a (somewhat dubious) official database as a journalist. And I have a cool certificate. 🙂 Next, I plan to become a minister, then I’ll get a doctorate from a college on Mars. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/25 "2018-04-23T22:17:38Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > You can leave your children at home also. You are certainly free to raise your children how you wish, and part of that is deciding when they’re old enough to stay home alone. Personally, I’m not leaving my kids at home, especially not considering that the age of kids we’re talking about is 5-6 and under. My similarly aged dogs, they’re fine at home by themselves. I can even lock them up in a little cage. Honestly, I have no idea if you’re serious or joking. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/26 "2018-04-23T22:36:20Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > A few points: > > 1. More animals being around in public places is not a problem needing a solution. Kids are dirtier, louder, and more trouble. > 2. Getting a trained, certified service animal from a professional school costs 20-40K. Most people train their own to do what they need done. The law allows this, because except for really complex tasks like a seeing eye dog, you don’t need a pro trainer. > 3. If an animal is not behaving, they can be expelled from a public place whether they are a service animal or not. > 4. Fake certifications are on the market because employees of various public accomodations don’t know the law and this is the easiest way to get them off your back. I’d bet that most of the people who buy fake certifications have real service animals. The reason for this is because most real service animals don’t have certifications, yet people seem to think they should have one. > 5. The “rampant abuse” means that on Wednesday you’ll see a dog, and then next Monday you’ll see another dog. Maybe once a year, you’ll see a dog that clearly doesn’t belong and is causing problems. I have yet to see a service animal misbehave, but I’m sure some people do bring animals that can’t handle a public place. > 6. With the exception of planes and trains, no one is bringing their animal with them just for the fun of it. If you’re dragging your dog to Wal-mart, you probably need the dog with you. > 7. A service dog is like a wheelchair, walker, or oxygen tank. No one is going to ask you at a public accomodation to prove with documentation that you need your wheelchair. What are you smoking and pass that around. 1: Kids ARE people which are generally allowed in most places of business as they serve people. 2: Not sure if you can train your own, would like a cite on that 3: Wish that would be done at a drop of a hat, such service animals should be held to very high standards, after all they are on the job. 4: Highly doubt it, those who have real service animals have very little need to obtain fake certificates. This is just justifying pet owners forcing their pets on others where they are not wanted. 5: too much to go into. 6: total BS 7 A service dog is, a pet is not, a emotional support animal is almost by definition a pet. Of all this I take great offense in you stating that most real service animal owners obtain fake certificates, this seems to be a attempt to legitimize these certificates which are made for those who want to take their pets. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/27 "2018-04-23T22:39:26Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > 1. With the exception of planes and trains, no one is bringing their animal with them just for the fun of it. If you’re dragging your dog to Wal-mart, you probably need the dog with you. I’m a vendor for Walmart. I see people with pets in Walmart at least once a week. And yes, they are pets, not service animals. You see enough of them, you can tell the difference at a glance. MOST of the time, the pets are well-behaved. As long as they are well-behaved, and as long as there is no (legitimate) hygiene issue, I have no problem with pets in any public space. Besides, my job description does not include enforcing Walmart’s policies. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/28 "2018-04-23T22:43:08Z")
> [@Corry\_El](#): > > 1. Although AFAICS many people do bring dogs into stores ‘for the fun of it’ or anyway convenience not psycho-medical necessity. Not that I have a big problem with it. That’s the problem with it. Or, at least, that’s my issue. If you want to bring your pet into a place of business, fine. When you lie about the reason, specifically so they can’t refuse you, you make everyone else look bad. > [@](#): > > OTOH if you’re so allergic it’s a problem to pass a dog in a store aisle you probably have a problem passing one on the street That’s not true. > [@](#): > > and you or other similar extremely allergic people have problems will all kinds of other stuff. You just made up, also I fail to see how it relates to anything. As I stated, my mom is allergic to dogs and really allergic to cats. If she’s indoors and there’s a cat around, she can tell very quickly. She can walk by a cat/dog on the sidewalk without needing her inhaler and Benadryl. > [@](#): > > Society can’t necessarily be rearranged around that. Why not? We rearrange it for everyone else, why not people with allergies? We kicked the smokers outside so people didn’t have to smell it (which I assume was a bigger reason than people fearing for their health). > [@](#): > > Nor can it necessarily be rearranged around people being able to bring dogs more places granted, but the numbers are pushing it in that direction. Businesses see an opportunity in ‘pet friendly’ and accommodate it. It’s fine if business want to allow pets. My issue is that they’re being forced to. All someone has to do is say ‘this is my service/emotional support/companion animal’ and that’s that, even if they’re just saying it so they can bring their pet seagull into the bakery. > [@](#): > > There’s no categorical reason they shouldn’t IMO aside from food safety. There’s, like, lots. Why do you wanting to bring in your pet that keeps you company trump how others feel about it? > [@](#): > > A dog in Target or Walmart, assuming there’s a grocery section, is probably the owner and store owner breaking the local health code by doing and allowing that. If I own a store, I can ask if it’s a service dog, the person need only say that it is, and now they’re allowed to bring it in. Even if I’m pretty sure they’re lying, I now have to follow the service animal rules. Basically, as long as it’s well behaved, it can stay. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/29 "2018-04-23T23:19:45Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It’s fine if business want to allow pets. My issue is that they’re being forced to. All someone has to do is say ‘this is my service/emotional support/companion animal’ and that’s that, even if they’re just saying it so they can bring their pet seagull into the bakery. This is the central point, and I think it’s a mistake to get bogged down into things like allergies and whether kids or animals are in general better behaved. There’s a societal interest in keeping businesses from forbidding legitimate service animals, because people who really rely on them to get around and live a relatively independent life get to participate in society. And we accept that that has some drawbacks. Beyond that, if you own a business, you’re free to let people bring other animals, or children, or both or none. It’s your call. And if you don’t want to eat at a restaurant with children at it, go find a restaurant that doesn’t allow them, or has strict standards for their behavior. They do exist. That they are not common has to do with how people generally feel about children, and well, too bad if your opinion that they should be left home all the time isn’t shared by most people. The problem is that people are using the legitimate societal need to support people with disabilities to do something that they want to do and that the businesses they patronize don’t want them to do either. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/30 "2018-04-23T23:26:30Z")
I keep hearing stories about this, but I’ve yet to be to a Target or Walmart or any place where I don’t expect to see a dog and see dogs (or other pets.) I mean, yes, I know it happens, and I know people take advantage of it, and there should be a clear policy about service vs support animals and some way of enforcing it, but I honestly haven’t seen this literally anywhere, other than news stories about exotic support animals. Is my experience really that much of an outlier? Or maybe it just doesn’t happen where I’m at? I’m literally at some sort of large store (grocery, hardware, big box), three to four times a week. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/31 "2018-04-23T23:40:14Z")
[Here’s a picture](https://imgur.com/a8I7ATY) I took of a dog at my local megamart. [Here’s a picture](https://imgur.com/Yvicj6l) I took of a dog at my local Home Depot. Note that there’s no owner nearby. The owner was in the store, somewhere, but the dog was roaming the aisles. Those were both within a week of each other, there was a third dog in a store picture, but I either can’t (quickly) find it, or I no longer have it. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/32 "2018-04-23T23:57:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I keep hearing stories about this, but I’ve yet to be to a Target or Walmart or any place where I don’t expect to see a dog and see dogs (or other pets.) I mean, yes, I know it happens, and I know people take advantage of it, and there should be a clear policy about service vs support animals and some way of enforcing it, but I honestly haven’t seen this literally anywhere, other than news stories about exotic support animals. Is my experience really that much of an outlier? Or maybe it just doesn’t happen where I’m at? I’m literally at some sort of large store (grocery, hardware, big box), three to four times a week. I saw a woman with a dog at Target \*today \*(Manhattan 34th St location). Right after reading this thread actually. It looked like some kind of hound, sort of like a Viszla. It had on a red jacket that said “Service dog. Do not pet” and seemed pretty well-behaved to me. ETA, but wow I’ve never seen a dog just wandering the aisles \*alone \*in a big box store like that! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/33 "2018-04-24T00:06:55Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > ETA, but wow I’ve never seen a dog just wandering the aisles \*alone \*in a big box store like that! You’ve never heard of a socket retriever? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/34 "2018-04-24T01:23:56Z")
This isn’t the third one I was looking for, but [here’s another dog](https://imgur.com/RQsCofZ) I saw at Kopps (local hamburger place). I think this one gets a pass. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/35 "2018-04-24T01:49:02Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I saw a woman with a dog at Target \*today \*(Manhattan 34th St location). Right after reading this thread actually. It looked like some kind of hound, sort of like a Viszla. It had on a red jacket that said “Service dog. Do not pet” and seemed pretty well-behaved to me. > > ETA, but wow I’ve never seen a dog just wandering the aisles \*alone \*in a big box store like that! I’ve seen proper service dogs with the vest and everything, but fairly rarely, and with individuals with obvious physical impairments. But not the generic support animals mentioned in this thread that I can remember, and nothing ever like **Joey P** ’s pictures. That’s amazing. It’s certainly different in my neighborhood and where I usually shop, I guess. Literally, I have never seen anything like that. The only places I see dogs indoors are at airports (where they are often traveling) and pet stores (where they are allowed/encouraged). Oh, and the occasional bar with a pet-friendly policy. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/36 "2018-04-24T02:01:47Z")
I’m probably going to regret contributing to this thread, but I feel I’m in an under-represented category, so I will. I’m a self-loathing emotional support animal owner. I _hate_ that we do it. I feel bad for anyone who might be allergic, and I know it’s being part of the problem and not the solution. But here’s the thing: we only do it on planes (never stores or restaurants), and our boy is a Frenchton (French Bulldog/Boston Terrier), so he can’t go under the plane. And I wouldn’t want that anyway. And with flight attendants killing dogs by stuffing them in overheard compartments, you bet your ass I’m going to keep him on my lap or let him curl up and go to sleep on the floor. He’s not bothering anybody (that I know of), he’s cute as a button, he’s 30 pounds, which is too large to call it “easy” to travel with him but small enough to be unobtrusive to others, and we save thousands of dollars when we travel by not having to board him. And again, we wouldn’t want to do that anyway because God knows what happens in those places. So, as long as the law is on our side, we’re going to keep doing it out of the safety concerns of our only child–and yes, the pleasure of taking him home for Christmas with us–but that doesn’t mean we don’t recognize we’re exploiting the system. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/37 "2018-04-24T02:19:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve seen proper service dogs with the vest and everything, but fairly rarely, and with individuals with obvious physical impairments. But not the generic support animals mentioned in this thread that I can remember, and nothing ever like **Joey P** ’s pictures. That’s amazing. It’s certainly different in my neighborhood and where I usually shop, I guess. Literally, I have never seen anything like that. The only places I see dogs indoors are at airports (where they are often traveling) and pet stores (where they are allowed/encouraged). Oh, and the occasional bar with a pet-friendly policy. It’s so common here in NYC. A few weeks ago I went walking around and stopped at 4-5 stores, in every single one was either a support dog or a regular pet with no vest. Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Target, and some others. I guess we’re just much more of a dog-friendly city, because no one gave them a second glance. (I certainly don’t care, I think it’s cute.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/38 "2018-04-24T03:31:29Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > It’s so common here in NYC. A few weeks ago I went walking around and stopped at 4-5 stores, in every single one was either a support dog or a regular pet with no vest. Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Target, and some others. I guess we’re just much more of a dog-friendly city, because no one gave them a second glance. (I certainly don’t care, I think it’s cute.) I think Chicago’s pretty dog friendly. I mean, dogs are extremely popular in my neighborhood. Seem like every third or fourth family has at least one (including my own.) I just don’t see anybody taking them into the stores around here. Maybe they do it on the North Side or something. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/39 "2018-04-24T05:55:28Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I’m a store cashier. I have yet to have a small child assault me in any way other than vocally (and if I say “Only inside voices in the store” they usually comply), but I once had a service dog damn near bite my right hand. Since that hand is my only good hand, that dog is lucky it didn’t get thrown against the wall. Was it a real service dog or a fake one? I ask because any service dog in training would be career changed in a New York minute if it showed even the slightest sign of being aggressive. That’s why I’d like to see dogs only considered to be service or support dogs if they have passed a behavior test and have been properly trained. Saying Poochie is a support dog because you can’t stand to be separated from her doesn’t cut it. And I love both dogs and kids. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934/40 "2018-04-24T06:01:33Z")
> [@Corry\_El](#): > > But > > 1. I don’t see why people wouldn’t compare them. They can both cause noise and disruption at public places they don’t really need to be. Since you can leave children behind, at home or somebody else’s home with adults (or your older kids or older kid baby sitter) to watch them. That’s often more of a hassle or expense than with a pet but why is that everyone else’s problem? Small children definitely should not be brought to classy expensive restaurants. Except brunches with buffet style food where the kid can eat quickly, plus there should be someone responsible for taking the kid out if he or she gets bored or cranky. But kids need to be socialized into how to behave in restaurants because someday they will go by themselves. Dogs, not so much. We took our guide dogs in training to restaurants all the time, since that was an important part of their training, and mostly no one knew they were there, since they went to sleep under the table. But as I said, they are bred for this behavior. Your average pet, no. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/register-your-service-animal-and-take-a-plane-ride/812934.md?page=3)