Outside Article Woman Sues After Being Turned Away From Disneyland

[Abhean]

BY JUSTIN HERMES · FEBRUARY 6, 2023

A "psychiatrically disabled victim" of assault is suing Disney after security refused to allow her to bring her Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) with her into Disneyland.
The plaintiff's lawyer says this refusal was "in violation of the ADA and Unrish Act and, in fact, a violation of Disneyland's own stated policy".

Sleeping Beauty Castle is all decked out!​

According to the plaintiff, after suffering extreme emotional trauma, she has had difficulty going out in public. A licensed psychiatrist recommended a Psychiatric Service Dog in order to cope with her fear.
The plaintiff then obtained a fully-trained Psychiatric Service Dog and planned to visit Disneyland on September 6, 2021

Photo: Disneyland​

Here's What Happened

When the plaintiff arrived at Disneyland, her group attempted to enter Downtown Disney through the security gate. Because of her dog, an officer directed her to the "special accommodations" line. It was a this point the plaintiff says that things began to go wrong.

While waiting in line a Disney employee approached her and asked what service her dog provided. When the plaintiff stated that the dog was for psychiatric comfort, she was told she would be unable to enter the park.

According to her lawsuit "after planning and paying for a Disneyland family vacation, were instead sent home embarrassed and humiliated. And were not even offered or given a refund."

What the Plaintiff Is Seeking

The plaintiff is seeking $5.7 million in damages including $1 million for emotional distress and $1 million for the loss of consortium. Additionally, she is seeking $1 million for medical expenses, $1 million in punitive damages and finally $700,000 in loss of earnings.

Disneyland's Policy

Disneyland is known for its welcoming policy regarding service animals.

Photo: Disney​

According to the resort's website, " We value all our Guests with disabilities, and we welcome service animals at most locations throughout our theme parks Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort hotels. At the Disneyland Resort, a service animal is defined as any dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability."

At this time it is not clear why the plaintiff was refused entrance.

Photo Disneyland​

As is their policy, Disney has refused to comment on the ongoing litigation. We will continue to provide updates however, as this case proceeds. Be sure to check back.

Woman Sues After Being Turned Away From Disneyland

A woman is suing the Walt Disney Company after being turned away from Disneyland because of her Psychiatric Service Dog.

mickeyblog.com

 

[Abhean]

The more I thought about this story the less inclined to feel sorry for the plaintiff. Here is why.

One of the things that really is common knowledge within the service dog community is the "2 golden questions".

• Is that your service dog?
• what task(s) does it do for you?

the plaintiff stated that the dog was for psychiatric comfort

This IMO suggests the dog would be considered more of an emotional support animal than a service dog.

This is not a task in my opinion, and the handler should know that as the article also stated that she had "obtained a fully-trained Psychiatric Service Dog". It is my experience that when a handler buys a fully trained service dog that includes the handler's education and training which further leads me to believe the handler should have known how to answer the question posed to her by the employee.

It does appear obvious that the handler is smart enough to know her rights were violated and how much she could make out of the endeavor. 7.5 million does seem a bit extravagant...

However, I do not place all the blame on the handler. The question should have been posed differently. Instead of "what service her dog provided" the word "task(s)" should have been used, but again that is one of the answers that we hear over and over in our service dog world and really should be second nature for us to answer correctly.

Having been to Disney World with my service dog, I have always found the workers very helpful and friendly, especially with my service dog. We as a team always felt very welcomed everywhere we went in the park. I simply have a hard time with this article, sounds more like a miscommunication deal that should have been able to have been fixed there at the time than having to wait 2 years.

I really would like to know what happened after the plaintiff was told she would have to leave the park...