Bad Theater Behavior

[ArtMan]

People have been trying and usually getting away with it for years, with all breeds of dogs as well as other species, for their "emotional support" animals.  There was a woman recently who was refused by United Airlines, who thought she could bring a peacock onto her flight.  It really is a racket.  We don't allow renters to have dogs at my condos.  One renter, being caught with two dogs,stated they were emotional support animals.  Our BOD was too afraid of the legal ramifications, so they let her get away with it.  So she struts around with these tiny teacup poodles.  I'm positive they aren't trained in anything to help this woman.  Again, it's a racket for people to get away with more shi*.

[ArtMan]

double post

[dramamama611]

VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "

 

Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways.  Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.

 

That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

 

[VintageSnarker]

dramamama611 said: "VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "



Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways. Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.



That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

"

That's what I meant. I was making a distinction between something like a seeing eye dog and an emotional support animal. A small breed doesn't seem like it would do as good of a job being a guide dog or aiding with retrieval or rescue or mobility. I'm lucky if rude people don't try to step on my dog on his daily walks and he's already almost 20 pounds.

[msmp]

dramamama611 said: "VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "



Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways. Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.



That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

"

This is not intended to be snarky (just to clarify), but do comfort animals/emotional support animals qualify as service animals under the ADA? I know some airlines, for instance, will only accept certain kinds of animals (cats and dogs usually) for emotional support, as opposed to trained service animals.

[dramamama611]

Vintage Snarker - my apologies, I misread your post, indeed.

MSMP - I cant answer your question straightforwardly as I cant verify the info floating in my head. Id hate to state something that ive heard, only to find out that ive eother remembered incorrectly or was given incotrect info.

[Nicole 10]

Yeah, this whole service dog situation is pretty wild. I was at Great Comet and was sitting in first row mezz, where actors run around the aisle right in front of you constantly. There was a black lab sitting right next to me and he kept trying to put his head in my lap and play with me, and kept fidgeting and moving throughout the show, and even got away from his owner and ran after a running actor in the Abduction scene! That was not a trained dog and had no place in the theater, especially at a show as stimuli-loaded as Comet

[JayElle]

VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "
Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways.  Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.

Not so DramaMamma....under federal and state law, a "service animal" is one that provides a service. That is, seeing eye dog, pulling a wheelchair, opening a door, medication reminders, etc.  These tasks are generally limited to a breed because of intelligence and strength.   Dogs as a "calming source" are emotional companion animals.  The difference between the two is that "service animals" are professionally trained to do a task and you can very much tell the difference. They are trained to sit at the owner's feet and not to respond to any stimuli that could distract them.  If you notice, a true "service animal" will not acknowledge stranger's pets.  It's sad to say, but they're almost zombi- like to forge ahead without disruption.  A companion animal is for emotional support. Those do not fall under the American's w/Disability Act.

NY State law specifically allows establishments to refuse emotional support animals.  And yes, folks have been getting away with too much. An uncontrollable yorkie in a theater is disruptive.  If Scott Rudin bans ice cubes and bottled water from his shows, he should step up to these fools who exploit a law that was clearly intended for the truly disabled.

One theater worker told me she saw patrons coming into the theater with their toy dog in a carriage. That IS NOT a service dog. She said another guy brought in his pet and looked to staff to find water for it. That would not happen with a service dog.

 

[JayElle]

No Thespian, the law is quite clear on service vs companion animals.  The airlines are finally cracking down. Theaters should too.  Because the NY law allows establishments to refuse companion animals, the dog owner would have to identify the service it provides, not just being a companion.

[JayElle]

"This is not intended to be snarky (just to clarify), but do comfort animals/emotional support animals qualify as service animals under the ADA? I know some airlines, for instance, will only accept certain kinds of animals (cats and dogs usually) for emotional support, as opposed to trained service animals."

Other way around Msmp...  service animals are protected under the ADA; companion animals are not. Airlines would have to take a seeing eye dog.  Even the post office has a sign, "No animals other than a seeing eye dog." They would also have to permit a dog accompanying a wheelchair.

[JayElle]

Nicole10 wrote, "There was a black lab sitting right next to me and he kept trying to put his head in my lap and play with me, and kept fidgeting and moving throughout the show, and even got away from his owner and ran after a running actor in the Abduction scene! That was not a trained dog and had no place in the theater, especially at a show as stimuli-loaded as Comet"

Absolutely correct.. Another scam.

 

[bwayrose7]

PThespian said: "JayElle said: "No Thespian, the law is quite clear on service vs companion animals. The airlines are finally cracking down. Theaters should too. Because the NY law allows establishments to refuse companion animals, the dog owner would have to identify the service it provides, not just being a companion."

I’m well aware of what the law is. I’m a pretty smart guy. I even went to law school and passed the bar exam.

My point is that if the owner says it’s a service animal that does “xyz” you are on very shaky ground if you start grilling them or refuse them admittance. It’s pretty much game over.

If they say it’s a companion animal then you clearly have the right to refuse entry."

^^This. Probing a patron about the details of a claimed disability is not something we're allowed to do; my theatre specifically reminds us in training that people have invisible disabilities that may require accommodations.

That being said, the only service animal I've encountered at my theatre on a regular basis is a very sweet, well-trained golden retriever who assists a visually-impaired season subscriber and who very much likes to greet a few of the staff who he recognizes, when his owner tells him it's okay :)

[JSquared2]

Nicole 10 said: "Yeah, this whole service dog situation is pretty wild. I was at Great Comet and was sitting in first row mezz, where actors run around the aisle right in front of you constantly. There was a black lab sitting right next to me and he kept trying to put his head in my lap and play with me, and kept fidgeting and moving throughout the show, and even got away from his owner and ran after a running actor in the Abduction scene! That was not a trained dog and had no place in the theater, especially at a show as stimuli-loaded as Comet"

 

I only WISH I had that dog next to me when I saw GREAT COMET.  It would have made the show (almost) bearable to sit through!

[msmp]

JayElle said: ""This is not intended to be snarky (just to clarify), but do comfort animals/emotional support animals qualify as service animals under the ADA? I know some airlines, for instance, will only accept certain kinds of animals (cats and dogs usually) for emotional support, as opposed to trained service animals."

Other way around Msmp... service animals are protected under the ADA; companion animals are not. Airlines would have to take a seeing eye dog. Even the post office has a sign, "No animals other than a seeing eye dog." They would also have to permit a dog accompanying a wheelchair."

Thanks for the clarification, JayElle!

[dramamama611]

And thank you JayElle for fixing my error.  (I know there is a difference between service animals and support animals - I indeed mispoke.)

[vanbrig]

I have an emotional support dog so I can attest to my experience in this area.

From what I've seen allowances for emotional support dogs are fairly new; research into the calming effects of an animal on depression, anxiety, etc. is relatively recent. Furthermore, they don't really have to be trained in some cases, as their presence may be all that's needed (they should be house-trained though). As a result, there aren't really many laws in place regarding those, at least not federally and not in my state (and apparently not in NY either). They aren't covered under ADA. In the future, I imaging we will see more.

That being said, many places do make allowances for them, usually in housing rather than business settings. Universities are a good example of this. Most residence halls don't allow pets, but many colleges do grant exceptions for emotional support pets with proper documentation. However, these pets are often allowed in the residence hall only. They are usually not permitted in academic buildings. Of course, service animals are allowed anywhere.

Obviously, I am a big proponent of emotional support animals. That being said, some of the stories in this thread are appalling. ArtMan's story about the lady hiding her dog in the no-pets condo is a big no-no. If you need your dog, then you ask about it/fight for it/whatever before you move in and if you can't get them to agree, then you don't move in there and find somewhere else that will allow it. Being sneaky will only hurt your case.

And good lord, I couldn't even imagine bringing my dog to the theatre. He is NOT equipped to handle that. The sights and sounds of live theatre happening on stage are horrible for an animal who hasn't received proper training, and don't see how anyone who cares about their dog would subject them to that. The poor little yorkie at AIA was probably peeing so much out of fear.

[SarahNYC2]

Dogs at theater has got to be the craziest thing-unless and please let me be clear it is a true service animal. I always say I love my pug as much as my child. She brings me great joy. And she actually wears a harness when out that some people mistake with her being a service dog (pugs need a secure type of harness to prevent injuries). I'm like OMG no-she's sweet and adorable but no way could she be a service dog. And if she went to a theater she'd try to make friends with everyone.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

If you need a emotional support animal to get through a Broadway show, I suggest you just watch a bootleg and save people around you the trouble.

I'd say the same for airlines.  I'm tired of being on planes with untrained animals and their indulgent, selfish owners.

[LizzieCurry]

Maybe it's not the show. Maybe it's the trip to the theatre. And/or the way home. And/or dealing with people during intermission.

[vanbrig]

I do think it's a bad idea to have emotional support pets in the theater, but saying "the same for airlines" is ludicrous, in my opinion. See, the crazy thing about airplanes is that they're being used to get from one destination to another, and often times people stay at that other destination for multiple days at a time. Shocking, I know. And if someone needs an emotional support pet in their daily life at home, it's possible they'll need it when going away for an extended period of time.

I've also flown many times on several airlines and have never once encountered an unruly pet. I have however, encountered people moaning and groaning about sitting near a dog, swearing that it's gonna be an issue, while the dog does nothing but sleep in its carrier the entire flight.

All I know is that if any rando ever tells me I shouldn't bring my dog on a plane after follow all proper airline policies, I'm going to tell them to shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

[elizabeef]

Just because I need to vent. Tonight I saw the first preview of Pretty Woman and I had rush tickets and I was front row. During the first act the manger next to me started using his phone and actually started video calling people under his Playbill. I politely asked him in between numbers if he could put his phone away. Then he proceeded to curse in my face about I don’t know his life and he has an emergency happening and I don’t engage and he’s like that’s what I thought. Then at intermission we tell the house manager about him because despite his “emergency” he hadn’t left his seat once. He complained that I kicked him (only nudged him on accident because he was manspreading with his phone in his crotch and I have very long legs) and I was wearing sneakers to a show and how I basically don’t deserve respect because of that. His elderly mother started crying (who I stood in line with this morning who was very sweet and excited about getting to go tonight) and I felt bad as she has stage four cancer and he tried to use that as his excuse for his bad behavior. Overall, very thankful for a man we met before the show started and had talked about Broadway with a few rows back who offered to switch seats with us and deal with this man. It was very sweet as I was emotional and the seats we had were partial view. House manager also offered us tickets to come again. Some people are just so ridiculous.

[j.t15]

Yes! At many of my shows in the past year people have had conversations in the middle of the show on their phone/looking at their phone throughout the performance. One man even live streamed a football game and was watching it. (We found this out from the lightning technician) People have also showed up drunk to one of my shows, and one man started smoking too.

[dearalanaaaa]

My old theatre teacher, who has probably been going to theater longer than I've been alive, said she loves to talk to her son about things that happen in the show after numbers. It makes no sense, she's so strict about phones but apparently talking to her son is fine?? No, it's not
As for service animals, I remember when the cast and understudies of Hansen posted about a service dog crying during words fail. Awful thing to subject him to.

[denali.fire]

Who's going to support them when the dog dies?

[vanbrig]

Is that a serious question or snark?