Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[givney42]

I am planning my trek for 2010 and use a service dog for a medical condition. I would need to bring him with me but am having a hard time locating anything on the internet as to what the rules and regulations are as to service animals in France and Spain, mainly as to accomodations and such.

If anyone knows or has heard of anything about this please post a reply. I've tried the ONCE group in Spain but their info is only for vision impairment and guide dogs, not medical alert or other types of service pups.

Thank you in advance.

[sillydoll]

Unfortunately, dogs are not that welcome in Spain whether it be on public transport, hotels, or pilgrim refuges. You might find that they are more welcome in the hotels in France but not in the Gites or hostels. I saw a few pilgrims last month walking with their dog/dogs and most had camping equipment so that they could sleep out.

[PILGRIMSPLAZA]

I can only offer sympathy but no help. Sil already said the essence. Animals and pilgrimage don't really match, also because the official health regulations may change quickly in case of outbreaks of diseases. You need a lot of luck too! Try to find as much pilgrims with dogs as you can; here's one of my fellow dog lovers: http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~buc/start.html
Good luck!

[Rebekah Scott]

Au contraire.
Trained and certified service dogs that are kept harnessed alongside their handlers are most welcome in Spain, on trains, buses, in restaurants, albergues, and in all public places. I´ve been hospitalera in albergues where guide and service dogs were made comfortable as possible, alongside their owners. They´ve never caused problems, and I´ve never seen them turned away from anywhere.

Reb.

[falcon269]

From AngloInfo:

Moving Pets to Spain from the United States or Canada
Animals from the USA and Canada may enter Spain if they have:
* a valid Veterinary Certificate (stating owners details, a description of the animal, details of identification and vaccinations)
* valid rabies vaccines
* a tattoo or a microchip (compatible with standards ISO-11784)
The cage or carrier must be labelled with the owners name, and their (or a nominated person's) address and contact numbers in Spain.
Once in Spain, a Spanish vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.

Travelling with Guide Dogs
Guide dogs for the blind entering Spain must adhere to the same requirements as other domestic pets above.
Once in Spain the service dog has free access to all public buildings and may travel unrestricted on all public transport. The dog should be registered and licensed with the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (Organización Nacional de Ciegos de España, ONCE).
* ONCE Website (in English)
* AEPA, Associación Español de Perros de Assistencia, The Spanish association for assistance dogs.

[andy.d]

I don't know where you are writing from. It might be worth emailing Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in the UK:

http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/index.php

they may have links with Spain, but should have experience of people going on holiday from Spain to the UK.

European law should make a clear distinction between official service dogs and pets (eg "no animals admitted except guide dogs" notices) but I have no idea whether this is enforced in Spain

Andy

[JohnnieWalker]

I think that most albergues would be sympathetic but a lot can be lost in translation if you don´t speak Spanish. It may be best to take a note in Spanish explaining the situation.

Three pilgrims arrived in Santiago with dogs today funnily enough, each reporting the difficulties of finding accommodation.

[Br. David]

Au contraire.
Trained and certified service dogs that are kept harnessed alongside their handlers are most welcome in Spain, on trains, buses, in restaurants, albergues, and in all public places. I´ve been hospitalera in albergues where guide and service dogs were made comfortable as possible, alongside their owners. They´ve never caused problems, and I´ve never seen them turned away from anywhere.

Reb.

Nice positive info Reb -

Givney, perhaps were you to have a laminated sign attached to the harness in Spanish and also one in French .. would make it easier when you enter buildings ... unless you speak Spanish and French?

[givney42]

Thanks for all the info. My dog is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and can fit under a standard airplane seat when needed. He may be big, but does compact well.

For those who have seen other walking the trail w/dogs, or have walked with their own what kind of miles were the dogs able to cover. My pup is in very good shape, but don't want to push him too hard. I know us humans can walk more farther than dogs. but don't want to blister his paws.
I'm thinking of bringing the tent to camp much of the route. Thankfully it is ultralight, along w/sleepbag is at 6lbs total. But am a little worried about camping as a single female w/my dog.

Kim

[philipc67]

I don't think you should bring your dog on the Camino.
Apart from the practical difficulties re being admitted to hostels and albergues, the simple fact is that your dog will be walking alongside you in a foreign terrain, entering the territories of the local country sheepdogs, village dogs, guard dogs etc, causing it fear, stress, and possible confrontation. Also, will it be able to walk your distances on foot? What about the animal's exhaustion/paw blisters/food and drink?
I suggest you think again as I am sure you must care a lot about the animal's welfare. If you cannot go without the dog or cannot leave it behind in someone else's care, perhaps you shouldn't go.
Anyone with dog experiences on the Camino?
Ivar, do you have any advice?

[Telluridewalker]

I feel strongly that anyone, including those with handicaps, should go for it. Perhaps this could be your personal contribution to the Camino- to educate those along the way about the nature of service/assistance animals and the legal rights of those who have to rely on them.

As for your dog, I'm not a dog owner, but many people in the mountain town in which I live outfit their dogs with leather "booties" to protect their dogs' paws from sharp ice and snow- these are also popular among the dogsledding crowd- some Internet research should offer up a number of options.

[falcon269]

Who is not in favor of rising to challenges, whether abled or disabled? The issue with a service dog is only a little bit about human hostility in albergues and restaurants. It is more about caring for the dog, and the dog's safety among the dogs of the Camino. A service dog accustomed to carpet and short walks will be challenged by the rocks, pavement, and long days. Hydration, rest, foot protection, and proper nutrition will be important for the dog's health and safety.

Spanish dogs range from yappy ankle biters to genuine farm dogs protecting livestock. Some are chained or behind fence. Some are not. I met a man walking his leashed pitbull, an unusual breed in Spain, and began to approach to ask directions. He waved me back and we had a shouted discussion. He seemed quite uncertain that he could control his dog if I got too close. A service dog might have had a very dangerous, even fatal, encounter with this animal.

[givney42]

My dog is very use to long hikes and travels. He uses booties in snow and icy conditions, and prefers bare paws when hiking gravel, rock, and other types of trails. My pup is well socialized meaning he has had many, many experiences with different things including strange dogs, strange people, including drunks, drug adicts, violent people. He carries himself very strong and will take on something he or I deem as dangerous. He's very good at protection as well as being sweet and kind to people, elderly, children, smaller dogs, and those that are not a threat.
My concern of the trip is what has other peoples experiences been with taking their dogs. I know there have been others who have walked the camino w/their dogs. what was their experience with food? etc. My pup does eat raw, so as long as I can find a butcher who is willing to grind chicken, and such I"m fine. Or can go dehydrated as I've done before on week+ long hikes.
Kim

[philipc67]

Please see my last post on the Camino Frances forum (November 5). I just finished the Camino.

Having seen a few people travel with their dogs, my belief that you should NOT bring your dog on the Camino is now very reinforced.

Spanish hotels, albergues, and restaurants are hostile to dogs.
You will have great difficulty finding accommodation, will have to sleep in a tent, and it gets cold in the mountains, even in summer.
Some stretches of the Camino, including steep rocky slippery climbs and descents and stretches along highways, are difficult and dangerous, even for the healthy and fully fit. Think paw blisters, dehydration, and exhaustion for the animal.
Getting proper food and water is difficult.
There are daily encounters with other territorial dogs, and they can turn ugly.

Please listen to my advice. Put the dog's welfare before yours. If you can leave him behind with proper care among family/friends and travel without him, do it. If you cannot travel without him, then you should NOT do the Camino. Also, as other members have pointed out, you should check the Spanish laws re SERVICE dogs compared to regular "pet" dogs.

[Telluridewalker]

Having seen a few people travel with their dogs, my belief that you should NOT bring your dog on the Camino is now very reinforced.

Phillip, please reread the title of this thread: "Traveling the Camino de Santiago with a SERVICE dog" (emphasis mine). There is a huge difference between a dog and a service dog, especially in the legal sense. I can't speak for Spanish law, but here in the US it is illegal to deny someone entry into a public place because they have a service dog with them. I imagine that it is similar in Spain. Some of the items you cite (territorial fights, blistered paws, exhaustion, dehydration) are all reality, but can be mitigated in some way or another. But how humans treat someone with a service dog is a matter of law- I wouldn't let ignorance or lax enforcement of the law (and basic human decency) dissuade someone from the Camino.

[Tia Valeria]

Our Cadogan guide to Northern Spain gives two sites for help with disabilities. One is the ONCE site which you already have here. The other is ECOM, based in Barcelona and a confederation of Spanish organisations offering services for disabled people. http://www.ecom.es
Hopefully they will have enough knowledge of a variety of situations etc and will be able to help/advise you.
Buen Camino to you and your dog
Tia Valeria

PS: The address, tel no and e-mail contact are at the bottom of the homepage

[givney42]

I truly appreciate those who have replied with both encouragement and caution. I've been in contact with a vet in Madrid who use to live in the US, who is willing to help with getting my dog registered in Spain. Because of the service my dog mitigates I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of sleeping in my tent's rainfly and footprint, than in the hostels. I know my journey will be slower than if I was walking alone, taking one day to walk, one day to rest but this is what will help my dog do his job. The other part being that he is an endurance dog. He's a very fit, (much more so than I) who lure courses on the weekends. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for their exceptional endurance, which is what they were built for. HE is not a push over type dog.

One challenge will be food for him. He is a raw diet dog, so as long as there is a butcher and/or meat markets he is good to go.
So for others who have walked the camino have you see others camp along the way, and are there butcher's in some of the smaller towns?

Thank you all!!
Kim