Documentation for Service Animals (Dogs)

[couchguy17]

According to the Marriott website, only service animals are allowed at Marriott Vacation Clubs.

Does anyone know what kind of documentation is required for a service animal (dog)?

I tried asking reservations but didn't get any useful answer. And sure don't want to arrive at a MVC and find our our dog isn't allowed.

 

[SueDonJ]

I would think that if your dog is a certified service animal, you already know what the certification is??

 

[tschwa2]

If you have a disability and you have a trained service animal that assists you in performing a specific task no documentation is required. The law is the same for taking your service animal anyplace that pets are not permitted.

 

[bazzap]

If you have a disability and you have a trained service animal that assists you in performing a specific task no documentation is required. The law is the same for taking your service animal anyplace that pets are not permitted.

Perhaps in the US?
Not at MVC International resorts though.

 

[tschwa2]

Perhaps in the US?
Not at MVC International resorts though.

Sorry, yes that's true.

 

[geist1223]

In the USA there is no documentation for a service animal. Under Federal Law service animal is limited to dog or pony. There are only 2 questions the Resort can ask you if you check in with a service animal. Service animals are not required to wear those blankets you see and can buy on the Internet. Service animals must be under positive control of the owner at all times. A place of business can ask you to remove even a proper Service Animal if it is disruptive. Service animals are different from assistance animals. Resorts are not required to let in assistance animals.

 

[Superchief]

Although I am a dog lover and would love to bring my dog(s) on vacation with me, I understand why MVC restricts pets. People have abused the service animal policies in recent years, so I think many businesses are becoming more restrictive. I saw several dogs at NCV during my last visit, and I'm confident many of them weren't legitimately needed for a 'disability'. Although I don't know MVC's current policy, I've encountered two specific requirements for rental properties recently: 1. The dog is certified as a service dog, 2. A note from a physician certifying the person has a need for the service animal.

 

[bazzap]

In the USA there is no documentation for a service animal. Under Federal Law service animal is limited to dog or pony. There are only 2 questions the Resort can ask you if you check in with a service animal. Service animals are not required to wear those blankets you see and can buy on the Internet. Service animals must be under positive control of the owner at all times. A place of business can ask you to remove even a proper Service Animal if it is disruptive. Service animals are different from assistance animals. Resorts are not required to let in assistance animals.

Sadly, with no documentation required in US resorts, it seems that far too many are willing to exploit this to blatantly lie and bring their assistance animals and even non assistance pets under the guise of them being service animals.
This is grossly unfair, especially on essential service animal owners.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Sadly, with no documentation required in US resorts, it seems that far too many are willing to exploit this to blatantly lie and bring their assistance animals and even non assistance pets under the guise of them being service animals.
This is grossly unfair, especially on essential service animal owners.

I believe getting them there will be harder in the US though with the airlines changing the rules on what is allowed and what isn't. I've actually never once seen or heard a pet at a US MVCI.

 

[Steve A]

Miniature horse not pony.

 

[Sandy VDH]

You will know if you have a service animal. Only service dogs are given ADA required access. It will be professionally trained and you would have gone on training to allow you and your service animal to bond and to understand what each is to do. Emotional support pets are NOT service animals. I had a Therapy dog, which is not an service animal either, as he was NOT MY service animal.

 

[Superchief]

Sandy,
Your post is extremely helpful. Would hotels and timeshares be required to allow emotional support dogs? What documentation would be required to prove the owner requires emotional support? All of the dogs that I have ever owned have provided extensive emotional support. However, I doubt that most people would have a diagnosed condition that requires an emotional support animal.

 

[controller1]

Sandy,
Your post is extremely helpful. Would hotels and timeshares be required to allow emotional support dogs? What documentation would be required to prove the owner requires emotional support? All of the dogs that I have ever owned have provided extensive emotional support. However, I doubt that most people would have a diagnosed condition that requires an emotional support animal.

A hotel or restaurant is only required to allow service dogs on their premises. They are not required, and many are prohibited by health regulations, to allow emotional support animals or dogs.

 

[tschwa2]

Sandy,
Your post is extremely helpful. Would hotels and timeshares be required to allow emotional support dogs? What documentation would be required to prove the owner requires emotional support? All of the dogs that I have ever owned have provided extensive emotional support. However, I doubt that most people would have a diagnosed condition that requires an emotional support animal.

In the US, emotional support dogs are considered pets and no hotel or timeshare can be required to allow them. If they do choose to allow them they can charge an additional fee to pay for extra cleaning and wear and tear on the unit and can limit which units they allow emotional support dogs or other pets. They can also set their own documentation requirements for emotional support dogs or other pets. Per ADA rules neither a fee or limits on specific units are allowed for those with service dogs.

 

[geist1223]

Although I am a dog lover and would love to bring my dog(s) on vacation with me, I understand why MVC restricts pets. People have abused the service animal policies in recent years, so I think many businesses are becoming more restrictive. I saw several dogs at NCV during my last visit, and I'm confident many of them weren't legitimately needed for a 'disability'. Although I don't know MVC's current policy, I've encountered two specific requirements for rental properties recently: 1. The dog is certified as a service dog, 2. A note from a physician certifying the person has a need for the service animal.

A public accommodation - which includes all public rentals - can NOT require from a physician. Nor can they require a certification. As I said above under Federal Law there are only 2 questions you can ask.

 

[Sandy VDH]

ADA requirements are for SERVICE animals only. A service animal is specifically trained to provide a service for the owner. An emotional support animal is NOT a service animal.

 

[bazzap]

In Europe and Asia, the MVC resort policy is very clear.
“Please note that pets are not allowed with the exception of guide and assistance dogs”
There are no comparable restrictions to what questions can be asked and many (most?) have never understood the whole emotional support animal issue in the US.

 

[aka Julie]

I believe getting them there will be harder in the US though with the airlines changing the rules on what is allowed and what isn't. I've actually never once seen or heard a pet at a US MVCI.

For the past couple years we've seen/heard dogs at almost every MVC we've stayed at. Of the ones I've seen, I seriously question if they were actual service/therapy animals. At Shadowridge a couple years ago there was a small yappy dog running around on the golf course. I believe the owners were on a first floor unit and let the dog out that way. There's no way that dog was a service animal.

 

[jme]

ADA requirements are for SERVICE animals only. A service animal is specifically trained to provide a service for the owner. An emotional support animal is NOT a service animal.

WE ALL KNOW THAT'S TRUE, but it's vastly abused, and these people who bring their PETS "just because"
have somehow gotten the service dog designation, and enjoy free run of a resort, so to speak.

I believe it's all going to come down on everybody because of this, and I envision it within a couple of years.
AT LEAST I HOPE SO. Animals are fine at home, true service animals I understand, but abusing the system at the expense
of all owners is nothing short of selfish, and should not be tolerated. Kennels exist for such people.

Dogs at home are fine, like I said, but dogs at a place where OTHER PEOPLE will occupy the following week
is not acceptable. Consider only two (of many) items---Lyme disease from ticks, and allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock.....
it happens----
so now it's become a medical issue for non-animal occupiers, and that must be dealt with.
"Cleaning" is only superficial and vastly inadequate, and very expensive, subsidized by all owners wrongly.

 

[controller1]

For the past couple years we've seen/heard dogs at almost every MVC we've stayed at. Of the ones I've seen, I seriously question if they were actual service/therapy animals. At Shadowridge a couple years ago there was a small yappy dog running around on the golf course. I believe the owners were on a first floor unit and let the dog out that way. There's no way that dog was a service animal.

Now that Vistana is part of Marriott, I hope Vistana's resorts don't go that way.

I have never, in over 12 years, heard/seen a dog at a Vistana resort.

 

[Steve Fatula]

For the past couple years we've seen/heard dogs at almost every MVC we've stayed at. Of the ones I've seen, I seriously question if they were actual service/therapy animals. At Shadowridge a couple years ago there was a small yappy dog running around on the golf course. I believe the owners were on a first floor unit and let the dog out that way. There's no way that dog was a service animal.

Wow, I must be very lucky then.

 

[Superchief]

Based on the regulations provided above, it is clear the 'Service ' animals have to be allowed, but 'Emotional Support' do not. How can a resort determine whether it is truly a 'service' animal if they aren't allowed to ask for documentation? I think many owners call their dogs 'Service' dogs, when they are actually not certified for a disability. These are the people who ruin it for everyone and make it difficult for the resorts to enjorce rules.

 

[pedro47]

There is a big difference between an Emotional Support Animal and a Service Animal.

Ask this one question what “service” does an Emotional Support Animal provide the individual? Not the Family or Family Members ?

Second Question: Please tell anyone what agency trained and how long was the training for your Emotional Support Animal ?

Third Question: Did your Emotional Service Animal received a certificate for completing training by a certified agency and a certified instructor.

 

[tschwa2]

There is a big difference between an Emotional Support Animal and a Service Animal.
Ask this one question what “service” does an Emotional Support provide the individual?

It isn't what "service" because the service is comfort and emotional support. The question is what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

 

[Steve Fatula]

Here's the 2 questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Note that the resort, if the dog is disruptive, can still tell the occupant to remove the animal, so, it's not like they can't do anything. Can someone lie? Sure.

I guess I am just glad in over 100 stays, I've never seen one as I would complain if they were disruptive. I recall one time at a hotel, there was a dog next door and it barked for hours. I told the staff, they found the owner, and asked him to keep the dog under control (even when they were out of the room) or else. I didn't really get how an animal could be left alone in a room, yet, be a service animal! Problem was resolved, not sure if the guest left or what.

After all, the ADA rules state:

Are hotel guests allowed to leave their service animals in their hotel room when they leave the hotel?
A. No, the dog must be under the handler's control at all times.

For me, it's personal as I have severe allergies to dogs and cats (yes, your wonderful pet). I really don't want to go to the hospital and get a steroid shot while on vacation due to your pet.