VAMED Vitality World, with its six spas in Austria, attaches great importance to inclusion and equality for people with disabilities. For many years now, guests with disabilities with assistance dogs have been welcomed.
People with assistance dogs have access to all public areas of the VVW hotels and spas, including the restaurant, wellness, spa and therapy areas. For hygienic reasons, pool areas, swimming ponds, as well as the saunas and steam baths are excluded.
Our staff teams are regularly trained in friendly and respectful interaction with people with disabilities and their assistance dogs and recognize the difference between pets and assistance dogs.
At the same time, the assistance dog must be registered in advance and a valid assistance dog pass in accordance with §39a Bundesbehindertengesetz (BGG) must be presented.
Questions and Answers:
Can I bring my dog to the hotel??
Dogs are welcome in our hotels - but only in the room & lobby & bar area. Please note our special offers for dogs.
There is a clear difference between a pet dog and an assistance dog. Assistance dogs are aids for the participation and self-determination of people with disabilities. Assistance dogs are part of their owner’s team and can replace family members.
What is the definition of an assistance dog?
Assistance dogs are guide dogs for the blind, service dogs and signal dogs in accordance with § 39a of the Federal Disability Act.
Assistance dogs are clearly identified by an entry in the accompanying person's disability pass and a special logo on the chest harness.
The assistance dog must be well trained, calm and socially acceptable, must not show aggressive behavior, bark or jump. The dog must be under the control of the owner at all times.
Assistance dogs must be regularly examined by a veterinarian; proof of health suitability may be required.
What conditions must be met for an assistance dog to enter the premises?
Guests with assistance dogs must be able to present a valid assistance dog pass in accordance with §39a BGG. Further proof (e.g. medical certificates) is not required. Wearing an assistance dog harness with a symbol is mandatory. Owners are responsible for the proper management and cleanliness of the dog.
Which areas may the assistance dog enter?
Access applies to all hotel areas to which hotel guests have access, but in particular:
- Lobby
- Restaurant and breakfast rooms including buffet areas
- Bar areas
- Hotel spa - see spa areas
- Fitness facilities
- Guest rooms without restriction to certain room categories
- Elevators and public corridors
Access in thermal baths, but in particular:
- Entrance area / cash desks
- Changing rooms and sanitary facilities
- Thermal spa restaurant and buffet areas
- Waiting areas and lounging and general areas
- Hotel spa
- Treatment areas
- Therapy facilities
Which areas are prohibited for the assistance dog?
- Kitchens, storage rooms for hygienic reasons
- Pool areas and swimming ponds for hygienic reasons as well as saunas and steam saunas.
What is the difference between an assistance dog and a therapy dog?
A therapy dog is not trained for individual people, but for use with different people.
It provides support in a therapeutic, educational or medical context, usually under the guidance of specialist staff.
A therapy dog has no special legal rights in public spaces and is therefore not allowed to enter places that are normally off-limits to dogs.
Do I have to pay extra for an assistance dog?
No additional fees are charged for assistance dogs and there are no restrictions on certain room categories.
Press Inquiry
Please contact Mr. Daniel Smith, Head of Communications VAMED AG, at daniel.smith@vamed.com.