Comments on: Service Dog Law May Be Exploited Due To Loopholes

By: lexies mom

lexies mom — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:11:02 +0000

My daughter has a newly diagnosed neurological disorder, we have obtained a dog for her that we are training with the help of a local trainer. I am a single mom and could not afford the 5000-7000 for a fully trained dog and did not feel she could wait the 2 year list that most places have. We knew a local police woman who breeds German sheppards and she donated a 16 month old male to us. I had him neutered and started training. Her school is giving is a hard time as they have ideas about how German sheppards are dangerous. He alerts my daughter before a dystonic even starts so e can try to prevent it with medications, he carries her meds and gets help for her if she cant move. He is also being trained to get the phone ect. I am so glad that we can train him on our own no way could i do this for her and pay upfront. Several people question her as she looks totaly normal until all of a sudden she is not and is laying on the floor in a full body spasm. her dog is her friend and her caregiver

By: John

John — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:14:03 +0000

EEdwin, cities, counties, etc,, can require a license but cannot charge for it. Clark County in Washington provides the license for service dogs at no charge.

Wendy, there are sources for service dogs at no cost. The Prison pet partnership is one. My son has had two service dogs through them.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:12:54 +0000

Juan, I reccomend going to PSDS.org, it has loads of information about training a psychological service dog, so that your dog can be trained to mitigate your disability, also, Lee, my dog is a medical alert dog for a heart condition, however, he also alerts me to take my medication as I have very very bad ADHD and cannot reliably remember to take my medications, for ADHD and my heart condition, I can’t remember to set an alarm, and if I was to remember to set the alarm, I’d forget to put the watch on after my shower, or hear the alarm and get distracted before taking the meds just a minuet later…seriously, it happened *daily* before Ben came to me…some people, especially those with mental health disabilities, simply can’t do the whole “Why don’t you just” situations…they don’t apply.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:45:14 +0000

I’d like all of the people against diabled people training their own service dogs and buying the vests to put up the 10,000 I need to get my service dog. What? Not willing?? then shut the heck up!

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:11:29 +0000

It seems to me that there has to be some kind of compromise position. People with service dogs, whether for emotional or physical disabilities, you shouldn’t be subjected to unduly harsh measures. On the other hand, the store where I work has had so-called service dogs relieve themselves on the floor! Obviously this is unacceptable behavior. It seems to me that a simple test to ensure that service dogs, whether home trained or not, can behave themselves in public properly, and have something like a special-colored tag or collar to say that they had passed this testing. It would prevent business owners from having to stop and quiz people about their service dogs — a simple visual check would suffice. “Oh yes, that dog is wearing the Service Dog collar, all’s good.” I don’t see the difference between this and someone having a handicap license plate, for example.

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:22:17 +0000

How can people say that people that have provison can’t use a service dog its not true under ADA if the dog does a tasks, for you in your daily life and make life better for you its a service dog by law. My Service Dog help me know when cars are coming up behind and to the side of me. And lets me know if some one by my side. also dog help me so I can fell better being out in public. If I did not have my service dog I my be die to day because I did not see the car. So please never tell some one it not a tasks for this type of disablities.

By: Jayla

Jayla — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:16:39 +0000

Some people don’t read the ADA law Right! It does not say task it says tasks with a (S) on the end what does (S) mean to you it means more then one tasks.
Don’t tell people they the dog only needs to know one task that is not true under (ADA) Laws! Please read it again.

By: lee

lee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:36:06 +0000

You dont need a dog to tell you that its time to take your meds, use a wrist watch with an alarm and it wont have fleas. I understand Juan that your animal makes you feel better but why should that be an excuse to make it legal. Some would argue that drugs make them feel better and make them more happy so should that make them legal. Please not in this life time. You should be able to tell if oyu are having symptoms on your own and should not need a mut to tell you. If you cannot them maybe inpatient treatment would be more benefical.

By: Juan Chapel

Juan Chapel — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:12:12 +0000

I agree that using ADA law simply to be able to take your animal wherever you go is wrong and all support animals should be well trained for public access but minmizing the importance of an emotional support animal is just wrong. Doing so is nothing less than another form of discrimination toward people with mental health disabilities. An emotional support animal can be an important element to a person’s mental health treatment plan and can help someone cope with challenges they face with illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia. Because of my support animal I am able to go back to work and I am no longer on a disablity pension. My animal was prescibed by my pychriatrist because after getting her as a pet because he saw significant improvement in my illness to the point where it is now in remission. She helps me by keeping me on a healthy schedule and forces me to excercise regularly. I never forget to take my medication since I time them with her feedings. While not specifically trained for a task she has the natual ability to alert me that I am entering an symptomatic episode. She acts up when I’m not in a calm assertive state. I take my support animal with me wherever I go so that I’m aware when I may be becoming symptomatic. Awareness is important be cause if I know whats going on I can compensate and work myself though the episode. ADA that it excludes emotional support animals denies those of us with mental health disabilities. ADA should be strenthened to include people with all disablities. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Staying healthy is not posible if we don’t maintain a healthy body and mind.

By: EEdwin

EEdwin — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:26:18 +0000

In my opinion, service dogs should be licensed through the county or the city. I wouldn’t call for “testing” of the dog or any such thing, but for the owner to simply sign a form swearing that the animal was trained for service.

There could be a minimal processing fee (say $10 a year) and it could stand in for the regular pet license, which any owner would be required to obtain anyway.

The service dog license would have to be worn on collar or harness in public, along with the rabies tag, and would be an easily identifiable color. If there were complaints about the animal’s behavior in public places, or if there was a recorded incident of aggression or some such thing, the animal could then lose its service license.

By: Aicle

Aicle — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:32:31 +0000

Why does it matter? if they do or don’t? It’s not hurting anyone really as long as the dog is well behave.

By: Annee

Annee — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:03:34 +0000

Why do people discriminate against small so called “purse” dogs and assume because they are carried in purses or in strollers that they must be fake? Obviously, if they can fit in a purse, it would be dangerous for them to be on a leash in a crowd as they can be stepped on! You would think that these group of people would know better since they know what its like to be discriminated against!!! I have a small 3 1/2 lbs. yorkie who is a certified and registered ESD dog. After my husband left me suddenly after 16 yrs. of marriage for another woman three years ago, I was needless to say heartbroken and devastated and sank into depression. I have been a stay at home mom the entire time we were married and was at a total loss when my children went to their father (we share 50/50 custody). While they were at there dads, I was home alone to be lost in my sorrow. I started drinking to ease the pain because if I didn’t, the pain would be so great that I would start shaking uncontrollably and couldn’t catch my breath. It would literally feel like I was going to die! I later found out that these were panic attacks. I stopped answering calls from friends and stopped going out. It took all I had to just get up in the morning and be a mom to my kids and function while they were with me. I knew my kids had their dad who loved them very much, so I even thought of ending it all! Then one day, while my children and I were at our mall, we met a lady with her small yorkie. My children begged and begged for a yorkie of their own. I said no at first because I just couldn’t see how I could care for a dog when I barely functioned to be their mom, but I couldn’t deny my children so I relented. The moment I saw this fragile and helpless 15 oz. fur baby, I was instantly in love! We brought her home from the breeders that day and that night my children had to go to their dads, so I was left alone to care for her the first night home. It was like having a newborn baby. She kept me up all night tending to her needs. I was so wrapped up in her well being, I didn’t have time to think about anything else much less feel sorry for myself! Everyday since then, little by little things have gotten better. I rarely have the need to take my meds anymore! This 15 oz. baby who happens to have two extra leggs and fur changed my life. I believe she is my special angel sent from above to take care of me because she seems to be so intuned to my emotions, it’s almost scary at times. It’s hard to explain. Not all things can be explained, they just are. I’m just greatfull to be her human mom. I couldn’t love her any more if I had given birth to her myself. I know that sounds crazy but that’s how much I love her. We need each other and are together 24/7. She is not something that a court can dictate that I have to share 50/50. So, please don’t judge us and call us frauds! Not all disabilities are visible. Just because they come in a small 3 1/2 lb. package with bows and clothes and carried in purses, it doesn’t make the service they provide their humans any less important. Sometimes, just being there to give unconditional love and support is enough and do more than any drugs in the world!!! My “Bella” is more than a Service Dog…she is my fur baby!

By: SAM

SAM — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:13:32 +0000

We need to stop!!Pitbulls from being a service dog. To many people don’t trust this type of breed and its needs to be a law in the United States. I would like to hear what other people think about this. If you think this should be a law then write or email the President of the United States and let him know you would like this to be a law pass, for the safety of all people and other service dogs.
I do have a service dog.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:52:47 +0000

I worked as a nurse for twenty-six yrs before becoming ill after getting a bacterial infection. I went to work for a year past that and starting having menory loss. I would be somewhere and not know how I got there. Then I starting having severe seizures and was unable to walk. I am blind in one eye and only have 20/70 in the other eye. I lost my job and couldn’t stand being in the public or even being out in my yard.
Meds could control the seizure some but nothing could make me my once social happy person I use to be. After getting my pek-a-poo, it was like a door open that at least could calm me out in public to the point I wasn’t wanting to run and hide. She is well behaved and is shy at this point but is very smart.
To someone that can judge antoher person as far as being disabled, it may happen to you and change your life in a second.
I think it should be up to a person to decide what can help them. My tiny little one is the best.
I could see if they act out as some kids do or are a danger. My dog is non-shedding and hypo-allg. If the handler is responsible for their dog, they know how to have them out in public. An emotional disorder is real as much as a physical one. I am not blind yet(am going blind), and don’t need to take a service dog from someone that is worse off and needs that help. Pets are apart of our family these days and we love them.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:26:04 +0000

I heared on the news that they are talking about make people that self-train there own service dog they would have to know 12 tasks before they would be a true service dog. I would like to know what people think on this. If you don’t want this to happen in your state email the governer and let them know what you think please, let stand together on this!!!!!