(The information provided is the author’s interpretation of Federal and Florida laws and does not constitute legal advice)
Dogs are not permitted on most Florida beaches. There is only one dog-friendly beach area in my county, and it would not surprise me if this trend has continued at other beaches nationwide. While some people will occasionally try to ignore this rule, they face the possibility of removal from the beach and fines. Many times that I’ve been to the beach I have had someone stop to verify that Mouse is a service dog.
Due to these restrictions, it is important to acknowledge the unique situation your service dog creates. While it is perfectly fine to play with your dog, be considerate of other people around you that are not expecting to encounter a dog.
Pick up after your dog
The primary reason dogs are not allowed on beaches is lazy dog owners. Kick a little sand and it’s gone, right?
Until Little Timmy tries to make his sandcastle …. gross!
Hopefully, I am preaching to the choir. I like to think that service dog handlers are more aware of the impact their dog has. Always bag and properly dispose of feces. At a bare minimum, cover urine. An even better suggestion would be to bag and dispose of that sand, or at least pour a bucket of water over it. If it was not there when you arrived at the beach, it shouldn’t be there when you leave.
Ensure that your service dog is wearing identification
Unless you love to be repeatedly hassled, ensure that your service dog is wearing a vest or another form of visual service dog identification. I recommend using something older that you do not mind getting wet, sandy, and dirty. It will likely need to be washed before reuse. Ideally, use a vest made with mesh or a light harness with patches. Traditional canvas vests can trap sand in their coat and cause irritation.
While I am recommending that your dog be visually identified as a service dog, please do not get upset if you are still stopped by an official. They are simply doing their job. There are a lot of popular harnesses on the market now that have a very similar look to a service dog vest. Besides simply stating that she is a service dog, I have never had anyone press me further than the two questions allowed by the ADA (Q7).
Keep your service dog on a leash
Treat this like any other public access situation. Unless you and your service dog have a need to work off-leash, defined by ADA standards (Q27), and have been specifically trained for off-leash work, do not allow your dog to run free at the beach. Even if your dog is trained for off-leash work, remember that if you allow your dog to enter ‘play mode’ this can occasionally cause your dog to react less effectively. Officials can still enforce local leash laws and require you to leash up, or even to remove the dog, if the dog is not under full control. Always have one on hand just in case. Like the vest, expect your leash to need washing before reuse.
It is also polite to keep your distance from other beachgoers unless they have invited you to join them. One shake and your dog will throw sand all over everyone around.
Follow local registration and vaccination requirements
Ensure that your dog is registered (if your home municipality requires it). In many cases the fee is waived for a service dog, but they still must be registered with the county (Q19).
It also never hurts to carry copies of your vaccination records.
Look after the health and comfort of your dog
Bring something for your dog to lay on, and something to create shade. The beach gets hot. I have been there many times where the sand was pretty uncomfortable for bare feet. Ensure that your dog has someplace cool to rest and relax.
Offer fresh water frequently and watch for any signs that your dog is overheating.
Following these guidelines will ensure that you and your service dog leave a good impression for fellow beachgoers. Be considerate, stay safe, and have fun.
Links posted within the article above are referencing the ADA’s service animal FAQ page.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
Please subscribe to my blog for more information about service dogs and central Florida.
Also, please check out my shop, Mouse’s Dog Gear, for handmade collars and leashes!
Welcome to Mouse’s Dog Gear, We’ll be Exploring Florida with my Service Dog Mouse. 