[NAGDU] southwest new guide lines:

[Buddy Brannan]

Good. About time *one* airline properly classifies PSD’s as SD’s and not ESA’s. One more reason to like Southwest.

> On Aug 16, 2018, at 12:23 PM, Janell via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> FYI:
> 
> 
> 
> Southwest Airlines is changing its policies beginning September 17, 2018  to
> limit service animals to be dogs, cats, and miniature horses, and to
> classify psychiatric service animals as service animals. Confusingly,
> American classifies psychiatric service animals as emotional support
> animals. All the more need for the DOT regulations. 
> 
> 
> 
> Southwest (this link will select the Trained Service Animal tab by default;
> select the Emotional Support Animal tab to see that policy):
> https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/customer
> s-with-disabilities-pol.html#unique_travel_needs_allergies_disabilities_pol_
> tab_list_tab_10
> 
> American (this page covers both service and emotional support animals):
> https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/service-animals.jsp
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Caribbean Cruise Ships August 14, 2018
> 
> (6:15 p.m.  EDT) --
> 
> Royal Caribbean has updated its policy on emotional support animals.
> 
> Emotional support animals -- defined as those whose sole function is to
> provide comfort or emotional support -- are no longer allowed onboard its
> ships; emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the
> Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
> 
> 
> 
> Service animals, which support people with both physical and mental
> disabilities, are still covered under Royal Caribbean's policy; they are
> permitted in all public areas, including dining venues, as long as they are
> on a leash or harness.  Disabilities that might require service animals
> include blindness, deafness and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
> 
> 
> 
> "We are changing our policy, but the policy is being changed to better
> differentiate between emotional support animals and service animals because
> they are two very different things," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told
> Cruise Critic.
> 
> 
> 
> "Service animals that are formally trained and certified to perform a
> function are still welcome onboard with the proper paperwork and
> certifications.
> 
> 
> 
> "We just want to be able to give all our guests great vacations, and the
> reality is some emotional support animals aren't properly trained."
> 
> 
> 
> Royal Caribbean added that its director of accessibility and disability, as
> well as its travel agent partners with disabilities, were heavily involved
> with the process of determining how its policy should change.
> 
> 
> 
> On Cruise Critic's Royal Caribbean forum, members expressed their feelings
> on the news.
> 
> 
> 
> Cruise Critic member Don'tNeedAName said, "This is good, but as some above
> have alluded to, this is a very tough policy to enforce.  There is no ADA
> certificate for a service dog --merely a definition. .  
> 
> Nonetheless, there
> 
> will always be rule-breakers, but that doesn't mean the rules shouldn't be
> in place.  If nothing else, hopefully the fact that Royal now has this rule
> on the books it at least makes one or two people rethink their actions."
> 
> 
> 
> Cruise Critic member cruzer_3 added: "Never bothered me seeing dogs on the
> ship.  This new change doesn't bother me either.  To each their own.  I've
> always made the best out of all my vacations and will continue to do so."
> 
> 
> 
> Cruisers who require service animals should notify Royal Caribbean's access
> department at the time of booking.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Janell and Rosy 
> 
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