Comments on: Traveling with Service Dogs – Service Dogs in Hotels

By: Sherry

Sherry — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:58:57 +0000

I have a 6 pound yorkie who is an alert service animal. I had a great time in San Francisco without any problems at the Powell Hotel. They are very dog friendly. They do have a pet deposit requirement but not for service animals. Treated great. I also ate at several eatieries in china town without problems. one owner even asked my little girl is she liked her breakfast.

By: Denise Lanier

Denise Lanier — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:21:26 +0000

It is a violation of federal law to charge any additional fees, cleaning or otherwise, for a service dog. Do not *ever* let anyone deny you the rights of access & equality that ADA regulations were designed & enacted to protect. On the times I feel too tired to argue with yet one more person ignorant of the law in regard to service animals, I tell myself I’m not only standing up for my own rights but for those of every other person partnered with a service dog who will pass the same way after me.

Ask to speak with owners/managers; take notes in regard to names of the people with which you’re dealing, along with the date/s & time/s. Follow up with phone calls, letters & emails. This is a civil rights issue. We’re in the unfortunate position of having to be our own advocates, and to champion our rights when we often feel least able to do so – but the only way change is going to happen is if we ferry it along, one encounter/confrontation at a time, raising awareness & educating others as we go along. Our journeys are already more challenging than most & we shouldn’t have to fight for rights the ADA already grants. But if we don’t, who will?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:44:46 +0000

I will be traveling with my fiancés service dog. I found the following helpful documents about the ADA that we are going to take with us to Myrtle Beach, SC. I will let you all know how things go. We are staying at a resort through RCI.

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

Thank you all for the great posts!

By: Peggy C

Peggy C — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:10:27 +0000

I too have had problems with econo lodge. I think they are foreign owned. I had a problem in Watertown, NY. The staff or owners barely spoke English. I do not think they know about or understand the ADA. I believe if you own a hotel/motel and or a restaurant, you should at least have some knowledge on the subject. Any other hotel we have stayed in in NY and Vermont, have been very accommodating and have not charged us any sort of fee.

By: Illiterati

Illiterati — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:05:20 +0000

I find it shocking that anyone would even consider paying a pet deposit for a service dog.

In the United States, at least, hotels aren’t allowed to charge for service animals to stay. If the service animal does damage, then yes, they may charge for repairs.

You need to be clear when you speak to the hotel that you have a service animal. When they say “pet deposit”, you quietly remind them of the ADA and that service animals are not subject to pet deposits, as they are not pets, but working animals.

Sorry, in reading the posts here, I see people talking about pet deposits and being so pleased that the hotel “didn’t charge one”.

Pet deposits should NEVER be an issue with a service animal and you shouldn’t be surprised. They’re not doing you a favor, they’re obeying Federal Law.

And if you read this, @Robina, you can sue them under the provisions of the ADA if your animal has not done damage (and they’d have to prove damage). Don’t let them get away with doing this.

By: Robin B

Robin B — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:46:39 +0000

Has anyone taken their Service Dog to The California Academy of Science in San Francisco since it has reopened?? They seem to have a lot of rules on their websit when it comes to SD. ANYONE?? Thanks

By: cheryl

cheryl — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:43:50 +0000

i have traveld with my service dog for years. i always stay at the hilton and hampton inns and have no problem with them they are great. when you make a reservation tell them you have a service dog and they will note that. plus it helps with the tags. i havent taken my dog into resturarants but will be traveling this summer so i will find out… but stay at the hilton and hampton inn. if they try to charge you call the 800 number thats what i did and they didnt.. they are awesome.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:23:29 +0000

Referencing my above comment my e-mail address is lyndainwillow@yahoo.com. Please reference my previous comment or I may delete it as a spam. Thanks

By: Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:18:57 +0000

I had my first trip with my SD (Isabella) on April 30, 2010. I called several motels and were told I would have to pay a pet deposit of $10.00 per night or in one case $75.00 for 3 nights. When I called Ramada in Columbia, SC the clerk (American) was extremely nice and was told there would not be any pet deposit. When I checked in I was told by the clerk (Raghead) there would be a deposit of $15.00 per night. I then told him I was told there would not be a pet deposit because Isabella is not a pet but a SD. He wasn’t very happy but didn’t say any more. On my 3rd day the weather got bad and I decided to stay another night. When I asked about the pet deposit, the clerk said appsolutely there would not be a pet deposit. When I told him about the clerk when I checked in he said not to worry about it that if the clerk that took my reservation said no pet deposit then his word was all that matters. I to am an Army veteran and disabled and have earned my rights to free speech. I do have one question: Is there a law that states SD can not be charged a pet deposit? About the only places I travel is from South Carolina up to Penn. Is there is one I would appreciate it if someone would e-mail me and let me know.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:11:47 +0000

I travel between Texas and Ohio with my service dog once a month. I fly with Continental and American. I have had good experience with both but there was one time where I experienced problems with Continental and the plain was delayed for twenty-five minutes because someone did not put the right information in for the attendant so people were mad. I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express, Super 8, Sheraton, and the state lodge in Ohio with no problems. The state lodge did require documentation because they don’t allow any animals. I usually don’t have any problems since I have the service dog tags. I believe they do help people understand better.