When Ace the guide dog met Pluto: Heartwarming video shows a young pup getting VERY excited on trip to Disneyland
If there was ever a place for over-excitement, Disneyland is it.
A guide dog in training was so ecstatic at meeting his Disney character idol, Pluto at the theme park in Florida that he couldn’t contain himself and joyfully bounded up to him.
Ace the labrador is seen rubbing noses and trying to make friends with his fellow ‘canine’ as his handler tries to pull him back.
Is is really you? A guide dog in training was so ecstatic at meeting his Disney character idol, Pluto at the theme park in Florida that he couldn’t contain himself and joyfully bounded up to him
But I love you! Ace the labrador is seen rubbing noses and trying to make friends with his fellow ‘canine’ as his handler tries to pull him back
Eventually he regains composure, remembers his training and lies down obediently.
The video, uploaded to Facebook by Disney Dorks, has caused much controversy online.
Some see the clip in all its cuteness but many have criticised both the guide dog and the handler.
One writes: ‘I know it’s cute, but a service dog shouldn’t be pulling on the lead like that and behaving that way.
‘Dogs can have fun, but not at work, and whenever the vest is on and they are in public, they are at work. It makes legitimate service dogs and handlers look bad.
‘The handler is even giving commands and snatching the leash; the dog is not obeying.’
Some commentators have even gone so far as to suggest the dog is simply a pet dressed up as a guide dog so it could get into the theme park: ‘That is not how a trained service dog behaves. This is just somebody’s cute pet dog, wearing a service dog harness.
‘It’s an insult and does a disservice to all the well trained real service dogs out there.’
Friends! Ace continues to bound back to Pluto despite handler Sandy Steinblums trying to hold him back
Ok, ok I’ll behave: Eventually he regains composure, remembers his training and lies down obediently
Debate: The video, uploaded to Facebook by Disney Dorks, has caused much controversy online. Some see the clip in all its cuteness but many have criticised both the guide dog and the handler
However, Sandy Steinblums, who brought Ace to Disneyland as part of a socialisation experiment has defended the incident on Facebook: ‘This puppy is one I raised (as a volunteer) for Guide Dogs of America
‘We went to Disneyland for a few hours as a socialization experience — what you didn’t see after the 14-15 seconds video where he settled in a “down” was his “down/stay” for a few minutes while Pluto tried to break his stay.
‘Ace entered his “formal” guide dog training at the end of January. My “job” as a volunteer was to socialize and provide him with obedience training.
‘This was a training outing and I was too far back to do a proper correction, but golly-be….he responded anyway. Yep! That is my boy and I am proud of him and love the Disney characters for being so kind and helpful!
‘It will be 6-9 months of extensive training with licensed trainers before Ace has the opportunity to graduate as a guide dog and has the right match in a human partner.’
The now viral video has been viewed 15million times on Facebook.
Popular Disney character Pluto has most frequently appeared as Mickey Mouse’s pet dog and closest companion.
He is the only Disney character not to be anthropomorphised as he is represented a normal dog, without speech or the ability to walk upright.
The only Disney character not to be anthropomorphised: Popular Disney character Pluto has most frequently appeared as Mickey Mouse’s pet dog and closest companion