We’ve reached the mid-way month of February, and spring’s right around the corner. Meanwhile, Team CertaPet is back with another riveting newsletter for our readers with the latest happenings in the Emotional Support and Service Animals community.
Disabled California Resident Sues Disney For Denying Her Entry Due To Her Service Dog
Alia Ashfaq brought a lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks on Feb 3, claiming she was discriminated against when the park management denied her entry to the Disneyland Resort due to her Service Dog. Her lawsuit alleges violations of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Ashfaq has a valid (California) disabled license plate on her car and has been considered a person with a disability since 1998. Despite that, according to Ashfaq, a security officer and his supervisor refused to let her enter the Adventure Park within the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Ashfaq had rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, herniated discs, depression, and anxiety. Her Service Dog is trained to detect signs of an anxiety attack and “apply deep pressure therapy, tactile stimulation, as well as provide crowd control and panic prevention in public,” the discrimination lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also claims that Ashfaq is a ‘Magic Key’ holder at the Park, which means she is allowed admission (reservation-based) to the Disneyland Resort for multiple visits. Ashfaq scheduled her Dec 6 with disability access in advance as she planned to visit the Park with her son and Service Dog.
Once Ashfaq got to the Disney California Adventure Park, a security guard denied her entry, and the same was repeated when she approached the manager for clarification.
The trial is ongoing, and Ashfaq is seeking damages worth $25,000, along with a court order to stop Disney Parks from denying entry to disabled people.
Source: TopClassActions
TSA Explains Support Animal Policy After Florida Woman Tried To Bring A Snake On Board
Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents at Florida’s Tampa International Airport recently caught a woman attempting to bring her snake through security. The woman (identity not revealed) claimed her snake ‘Bartholomew’ was her Emotional Support Animal.
When TSA approached the airlines to tell them of their passenger’s slithery friend, the airline refused to allow the animal onboard. This case prompted the TSA to take Instagram to explain airlines do not allow snakes on board, despite their ESA status. A few airline carriers might allow snakes to go into the cargo hold only if they’re ‘packaged’ correctly.
Moreover, after a court ruling in 2021, most U.S. airlines can now refuse to allow ‘any’ Emotional Support Animal onboard, a fact that travelers need to be aware of.
Source: Jalopnik
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
We’re at the end of our newsletter and hope we’ve informed our readers of something new and useful. We’ll keep an eye on the Disney lawsuit and keep you updated; until then, we’re signing off and wishing you a Happy Valentines!
If you’re living with a mental illness, getting an Emotional Support Animal could really help your recovery. These loving animals could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life. If you’re ready to start the process, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional, who will have a consultation with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.