[nagdu] guide dogs in hotels

[Emily Michael]

Hi Nicole,

This a thoughtful and informative response. Thanks so much for everything you’ve said!

With best,
Emily
---
Emily K. Michael
emily.k.michael at gmail.com
Blog: http://areyouseeingthis.wordpress.com/

"Nowhere, Love, will world exist but within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

> On Dec 9, 2014, at 11:38 PM, Nicole Torcolini <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
> 
> 	I am replying to the first email in this thread, but I have read the
> entire thread. I am going to give my opinion on the topics discussed here.
> Feel free to disagree with them, but please do not tell me that they are
> wrong.
> 	Whether or not you tell the hotel about your dog in advance is a
> personal choice. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it does not. Sometimes, if
> a hotel is going to give you problems, they will start as soon as they know,
> and you might be able to get things straightened out before you arrive. On
> the other hand, they may not say anything until you arrive. In any case, try
> to find out if anyone else with a guide dog has had trouble with that
> particular hotel. If a hotel has a reputation for being problematic and you
> do not feel like having to fight for your rights, then, if possible, stay
> somewhere else. Yes, we need to stand up for our rights, but some people
> just cannot be changed. If it was a hotel that did not accept pets, I would
> not tell them in advance, but, if it was a hotel that accepted pets, I would
> tell them in advance. Here is why. Okay, no, not everyone knows/agrees with
> the whole thing about allergies, but let's just pretend that they do. This
> applies in a hotel that does not accept pets. So what about a hotel that
> does accept pets? In such a hotel, they have rooms that are designated as
> pet rooms. If someone who is allergic comes to a hotel that accepts pets,
> that person will probably ask for a room that is not a designated pet room.
> If someone with a service dog stays in one of the rooms that is not a
> designated pet room, then it defeats the whole purpose of having pet rooms
> and non-pet rooms. Of course, there would be exceptions. If a particular
> type of room was not available as a pet room, regardless of whether it was
> something in the room-such as the bed-or the type of room-such as an
> adjoining room or a penthouse-and whether or not their was a different
> price, I would insist on staying in the type of room requested. I also do
> not think that we should have to put up with a pet room that has been
> damaged by some previous pet occupant. If there was only one room pet room
> left because it is a room that no one wants, then I would insist on being
> put in a different room.
> 	What you do with the dog in a hotel room at night is up to you. 
> Sometimes, you can just do whatever you do at home. However, if you do not
> use a crate or tie down at home but are worried that your dog might get into
> trouble, then you may wish to do something different. Whatever you do, make
> sure that your dog is used to it before you go on the trip. If you use a tie
> down, then you may want to use an actual tie down or a leash other than the
> working leash as some dogs will chew on tie downs, particularly if they are
> stressed or not used to being on tie down. I would bring a towel or blanket
> for the dog, particularly if you have trained your dog to stay on one at
> home. That way, when you are in the room, your dog kind of has a place to
> go.
> 	I agree with not letting your dog on the bed, particularly if the
> bed covers are white and/or it is a hotel that does accept pets. No, our
> dogs usually do not leave anything that cannot be washed or vacuumed off,
> but, as has already been said, some people will just find any excuse... If
> it is a hotel that accepts pets, then maybe, but I would still put a towel
> or blanket over the bed.
> 
> Nicole
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Emily Michael via
> nagdu
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 6:43 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] guide dogs in hotels
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> In January, I'll be traveling with my chorus for a weekend retreat in
> Orlando - an exciting few days of workshops, performances, and seminars!
> This will be my first time "away from home" with York, and I welcome any
> travel tips you have. Are there any do's and don'ts of staying in hotels?
> Should I contact the hotel in advance to say that York is coming with me? Do
> you bring a crate for your dog, or just a bed?
> 
> I welcome any wisdom you have gathered!
> 
> With best,
> Emily & York
> 
> ---
> Emily K. Michael
> emily.k.michael at gmail.com
> Blog: http://areyouseeingthis.wordpress.com/
> 
> "Nowhere, Love, will world exist but within."
> - Rainer Maria Rilke
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.co
> m
>