Emotional support dogs are NOT SERVICE DOGS!!

[draggar]

When will people get it though their heads? "Emotional Support Dogs" is by far the most abused way for people to bring their pets wherever they want to go. Chances are the Paris Hilton wanabe with a teacup chihuahua in her purse did NOT have a service dog but since she claimed it was an "emotional support animal" the store felt they had to let her stay in the store even though the little rat was yapping and snarking at everyone (BTW - those ARE reasons for an establishment to ask that a SD be removed from the premises).

The ADA refined their definition of a service dog and included:

1. Dogs whose sole function is “the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” are not considered service dogs under the ADA.

This was already ruled in a court case earlier. They ruled that a service dog, in order to be considered a service dog, must be trained in activities beyond those of a normal dog to assist their handler. An emotional support dog only needs to be a good pet.

Now, here's the kicker - there are "Psychiatric Support Dogs" WHICH REQUIRE PAPERWORK. These are the only service dogs that do require paperwork. These are not emotional support dogs (to make people feel happy etc.). They are trained to assist people with severe psychological disorders such as autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If someone has a psychological disorder severe enough that they cannot act normally in public then they may qualify for a PSD.

To all the abusers - you're on self centered actions are making it harder and harder for people with a legitimate need for a service dog. The more you abuse it, the more establishments will be apprehensive when a legitimate service dog walks in and then more people will write to their government officials to have the laws re-written. there have already been some steps back this year with the ADA's definition of a service animal (now they HAVE to be dogs - no other animals).

Also, to you self-centered Paris Hilton wanna be, it's a second degree misdemeanor in the state of Florida for your first offence. It is a first degree for your second offence and can land your prissy little ass in jail.

[Ginger Tea]

well on the bright side, dog can just shit in the purse than on the pavement, saves time cleaning it up

[lineswine]

...or, simply refuse entrance to the fuckwit in the 1st place.

[HYHYBT]

Why would they require them to be dogs?

[draggar]

...or, simply refuse entrance to the fuckwit in the 1st place.

An establishment cannot refuse public access to someone with a service dog. Sadly, most establishments think that an ESD is a service dog when they are not. (unless of course there is a genuine concern for the safety / health of the service dog - like trying to take one onto a roller coaster).

Why would they require them to be dogs?

I don't know. Rats have been successfully trained (and very effective) in some service animal ways, I think one was with seizure alerts?

Just imagine what the next step will be. "Only X, Y, and Z breeds may be service dogs".

At least they also got into law that service dogs are exempt to any breed specific legislation.

[DrFaroohk]

When I worked for Circle K the policy was that if a person says it's a service animal, that's the end of story. We didn't require any proof or validation. As long as they said it was we had to accept it.

[fireheart17]

Why would they require them to be dogs?

My guess is that it's a way of "dumbing it down" for people. For instance, I'm aware of rats and helper monkeys. (It's more common just to have a service DOG in Australia than it is to have any other animal-the ones I've seen are for blindness, deafness, autism and seizures) People however, might see a monkey in the store and presume that it's a pet rather than a service animal, since most people would assume that only dogs are meant to be service animals.

[draggar]

When I worked for Circle K the policy was that if a person says it's a service animal, that's the end of story. We didn't require any proof or validation. As long as they said it was we had to accept it.

There are two questions you can ask the handler:

"Is that your service dog?"

and

"What service does it (or he / she) provide?"

The vast majority of times you won't even notice the dog unless it is in your line of sight.

[DrFaroohk]

There are two questions you can ask the handler:

"Is that your service dog?"

and

"What service does it (or he / she) provide?"

The vast majority of times you won't even notice the dog unless it is in your line of sight.

Wouldn't asking what the dog is for be violating some privacy thing?

[draggar]

Wouldn't asking what the dog is for be violating some privacy thing?

Not according to the ADA. When someone asks my wife she says that he helps her with mobility assistance and physical support.

Now, asking about their disability may be considered rude.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I've read about service ponies before.

http://www.guidehorse.com/

They're mainly used as an alternative to dogs for people who are allergic to dogs and therefore require a different animal. So, a guide pony would therefore cause problems with such a strict interpretation as "they have to be dogs".

[DrFaroohk]

Not according to the ADA. When someone asks my wife she says that he helps her with mobility assistance and physical support.

Now, asking about their disability may be considered rude.

But...isn't it the same thing? "What's your dog for?" "It helps me see."

Gee, wonder what his disability is.

[fireheart17]

I've read about service ponies before.

http://www.guidehorse.com/

They're mainly used as an alternative to dogs for people who are allergic to dogs and therefore require a different animal. So, a guide pony would therefore cause problems with such a strict interpretation as "they have to be dogs".

I've heard about them, but they're not as common down here.

[BlaqueKatt]

But...isn't it the same thing? "What's your dog for?" "It helps me see."

Gee, wonder what his disability is.

seeing eye dogs have a special harness that generic "service dogs" don't, you can tell a seeing eye dog from a mile away.

standard service dog harness(not required)

"seeing eye dog" harness(required for ease of assistance for the handler)

lots of conditions cause mobility issues:
MS
MD
Cerebral palsy
lupis
fibromyalgia
arthritis

saying the animal assists with mobility issues reveals nothing.

[Eisa]

You can get a psychiatric support dog?!? Oh my, I would like one of them so much at some point...I do have PTSD and some things trigger me very badly.

I guess at least an "emotional support pet" is better than "I just don't want to leave my pwecious outside/at home." I do think it's kind of sad that therapy pets can't fall under the ADA--but on the other hand, it would be taken way too much advantage of. Like it already is.

I still remember a post on CS about seeing someone with a service snake.