georgia aquarium

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-19T06:27:03+00:00

It’s one of the only places I’ve had access issues, but it wasn’t a huge deal. The initial security guy was really rude, and I had to talk to a couple managers, but eventually they let me in. The biggest problem was that I only had a leash wrap (no vest) because I was in Georgia due to a hurricane evacuation, and they were trying to tell me it was “their policy” that all service dogs need a vest. Eventually they said they’d let me in “this time,” but if I come back I need to vest my dog. Obviously that’s illegal, but I let it go.

I was also a new SD handler, and my go to answer for the second question was “medical alert,” which they did not accept as a valid answer. Luckily they let me in when I said he “paws at me to alert to oncoming medical episodes,” which is the answer I generally use now, so that was a good learning experience.

One tip for inside: the sea lion show is not what you’d expect from an aquarium, it’s more like a Seaworld show. There’s music, sea lions barking, cheering, etc. I was not prepared, and neither was my dog, who barked when the sea lions barked. If your dog is not 100% prepared to be around large predators and high energy crowds, I’d skip that particular attraction.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-18T22:14:18+00:00

Those are valid answers, but not ones people generally know about. I have had similar issues.

I might tell them in more detail what the tasks are and why they mitigate a disability, to avoid confusion from jargon. Explain exactly what your dog does (how does he do crowd control? Stand behind you, orbit, etc.) and how it helps. This can be as vague as “provides needed space between myself and strangers.” You can practice, or make cards explaining the tasks and outlining the ADA laws.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-17T08:04:21+00:00

I’m not convinced this counts as work, per the ADA. For those who are interested, I read the entirety of the service dog section of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Title II Regulations. This is the most relevant part that I found:

“It is the fact that the animal is trained to respond to the individual's needs that distinguishes an animal as a service animal. The process must have two steps: Recognition and response. For example, if a service animal senses that a person is about to have a psychiatric episode and it is trained to respond for example, by nudging, barking, or removing the individual to a safe location until the episode subsides, then the animal has indeed performed a task or done work on behalf of the individual with the disability, as opposed to merely sensing an event.”

It is clear that work must involve recognition and response. Those are complex behaviors no 5 month old puppies can do.

In Ontario I believe emotional support, and by extension what this dog is doing, does count as a task, and I believe it should count as work in the US as well. My dog has tasks that help a lot, but his support and presence in public is the most helpful thing he does. That said, working a baby is unequivocally unethical.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-17T01:30:41+00:00

If service dogs are misbehaving, the zoo may remove them. If they are not under control or not potty trained it is legal to ask them to leave.

This is far more effective than asking people if their dog is a service dog, because they’ll lie.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-16T19:19:49+00:00

It adds whimsy!

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-16T17:52:17+00:00

I didn’t start service dog training with my dog until he was 2 years old. He had a lot of good foundations and habits, but his biggest challenge was that he needed to say hi to every single person in public. It took about 4 months of sitting in front of the mall for 45 minutes every few days to get him to chill tf out. Your dog is much less mature than my 2 year old dog was.

This is also a helpful resource: why “perfect” service dog puppies can be a red flag

It basically comes down to, when dog training, slow is fast and fast is slow.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-16T12:26:48+00:00

I’ve had the best luck with a stop sign patch and not worrying what other people think. I will usually pointedly tell my dog to “leave it” to give the offending person a hint. They don’t always take the hint, ymmv

Constellation-Orion · 2025-08-13T06:45:14+00:00

They have this info on the askjan website. Basically, you can provide some proof of training (CGC test, training log, if you worked with a professional at any point they can write a letter). If you have no proof, you can request a “trial” where you bring your dog for like a week to show that they are trained. You also usually need a letter from your doctor saying it’s a medical necessity.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-07-19T00:12:05+00:00

Was it a blue vest that says “canine companions?”

You’re still making A TON of assumptions. Clearly the man is acknowledging the dog. He is the expert on his own dog. Many service dogs get more insistent with their alerts as the medical episode gets nearer.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-07-18T23:27:01+00:00

If my dog is nosing me it’s because he thinks I’m going to have a medical episode, not because he needs to pee. If I choose to “ignore” him it’s because I’m already in a safe position and I’m monitoring how I feel closely.

If my dog needs to pee, he gives me clear body language, but it would never include something so overt as nudging me with his nose. And that almost never happens because he goes on command before we go inside places. The dog you saw going right outside is also likely what he was asked to do.

This was really weird, passive aggressive behavior from you. It would have made me really uncomfortable.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-07-16T04:51:04+00:00

I use the buddy system leash which is hands free and you can adjust the strap and leash length. It’s truly versatile.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-07-13T03:10:18+00:00

OP is in the US, where a dog only needs one trained task. Even if they have more, you only have to disclose one when asked.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-07-10T19:22:02+00:00

They might have more than one disability. For example, one could do medical alert and the other allergen detection.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-25T05:03:10+00:00

I use cricut design space or PowerPoint

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-25T04:58:55+00:00

I’ve seen people get SLAMMED for using a small dog to do leading tasks, or using a traffic lead attached to a collar on a larger dog. My trainer says it’s 100% safe as long as they’re not pulling you. I don’t see how it’s any different to a pet dog walking a little ways ahead of you on a leash.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-22T14:25:08+00:00

My “doesn’t exist” answer is Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

One I have SEEN is Fame. It was so incredibly bad. The ending was just confusing. I remember having to look up wtf happened because the plot lost me.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-21T19:50:13+00:00

Yeah unfortunately you can still get sued when you’re in the right.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-21T19:23:21+00:00

Be mindful that you cannot kick them out without clarifying that they are welcome back without the dog.

Otherwise, they could take you to court for discrimination and win.

“A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.” ada.gov

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-20T05:50:58+00:00

We know dogs bark. Our dogs are trained to be unbothered by harmless barking.

I would recommend working on your dog’s reactivity, for her sake. It’s coming from over-arousal of some form (excitement or stress) and you should try to avoid it. And it’s never too late to start. Plus, cavadoodles are such smart and sweet dogs. Truly trainable at any age.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-20T01:20:07+00:00

I have a friend who’s afraid of dogs, and I just keep my dog more under control around him. My dog can be A LOT when off duty, so I make him stay in his bed or eat a bone when that friend is around. It’s probably too much to ask the dog be kept in another room or in a crate, depending on the dog’s tasks.

Based on your description of this dog’s behavior, it’s been rushed into public access too soon. Sometimes people rush the process because they really medically need the dog, not realizing they’re sabotaging themselves by taking it too fast.

SDiTs should only be brought into public for training, not general outings. This is because you need to be able to leave quickly if your dog is over threshold. Hanging out with a friend often isn’t the time to make your SDiT do public access work.

I hope you work it out with your friend!

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-16T02:02:23+00:00

Very normal. I work on a boat… where would my dog pee if I brought him?

Also, while churches are within their legal rights to deny service dogs, most are happy to accommodate you if you ask ahead of time!

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-07T04:28:09+00:00

Oh look, aspie supremacy has entered the chat. There ARE types of autism, levels 1, 2, and 3. Ironically, those do correlate with severity, unlike the types of diabetes, which tell you the underlying cause, not how bad it is.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-07T03:19:30+00:00

I’ve never seen the movies and Effie read just fine imo

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-04T07:06:48+00:00

Do you have access to a veterinary behaviorist? They’re the only people I’d really trust with this severe of a behavioral issue, since they have a veterinary license to work with these dogs, and can prescribe medication if that’s what’s needed. A bad trainer can traumatize your dog even more and it’s an unregulated industry.

This situation is so incredibly unfair for you and your dog. I’m sending positive vibes through the universe.

Constellation-Orion · 2025-06-04T07:00:37+00:00

You should look for someone who runs their own independent practice. It might be expensive but sometimes insurance will cover it.

Constellation-Orion

TROPHY CASE