Re: Emotional Support Service Dogs???

kdgn · ‎03-09-2010

On 6/14/2014 terrier3 said:
On 6/14/2014 KYToby said:
Unless the ADA regulations have changed recently, "emotional support companions" are not considered service animals in the eyes of the law. The ADA specifies that service animals must be trained to perform specific tasks that the owner cannot easily do (emotional support does not count).

Unfortunately, so many people are declaring their animals to be service animals that actual service animals and the people who need them are met with skepticism and cynicism.

...only by small minded busy-bodies!

I'm not a small minded busy-body, terrier. I admit that I have never seen a service/therapy dog such as the one in the OP but I would admittedly be skeptical of an ill-behaved dog wearing a service/therapy vest.

I wouldn't intervene but I would mentally question the validity of that vest. I know some of what goes on training service and therapy dogs and for someone to be able to buy a vest online JUST because they feel like it does a real disservice to the REAL service/therapy dogs.

Maybe those vests need to be regulated.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

Of course, the animals should be legitimate and trained. I think some here are disagreeing with each other just because of who the posters are and their history with each other. Wink I would just say be careful about assuming about the legitimacy of dog that you see in public when you don't know the facts about an individual, especially if the dog is well behaved.

Shoot. I had a tenant once who wanted to get her chihuahua labeled a service dog for her blind mother. The dog barked at anything and everything and tried to bite on occasion. Her mom certainly qualified for a dog but the yippy nippy family dog was hardly the proper candidate. Never happened but I questioned her logic chip. Wink

Interesting side note, my best friend works for the Amtrak call center. When someone says they have a service dog, the Amtrak agent is forbidden from asking for proof (documentation, license).

edited for spelling

SusyQ22a · ‎05-25-2010

I just asked my neighbor about the dog at school. She said that the dog has a certificate posted in the school that she is a fully accredited therapy dog. She wears a pink and black vest. Her training is intense and rigorous including making sure that she won't be aggressive, bite or bark excessively. In fact, this part is kind of cute. The dog even has her own attendance sheet that the Head of school has to sign off on daily. The dog belongs to one of the students at the school.

ennui1 · ‎06-23-2013

There are too many people who think their family pet is a service dog.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

On 6/14/2014 SusyQ22a said:
I just asked my neighbor about the dog at school. She said that the dog has a certificate posted in the school that she is a fully accredited therapy dog. She wears a pink and black vest. Her training is intense and rigorous including making sure that she won't be aggressive, bite or bark excessively. In fact, this part is kind of cute. The dog even has her own attendance sheet that the Head of school has to sign off on daily. The dog belongs to one of the students at the school.

${#emotions_dlg.wub}$

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 6/14/2014 ennui1 said:
There are too many people who think their family pet is a service dog.

They also think it is a baby - neither are correct.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

One of the charitable organizations I support is Warrior Canine Connection. Rick and Molly raise and train Golden Retrievers and Labradors to provide loving support to emotionally-challenged veterans. To my knowledge, the only way a dog can wear a vest emblazoned with the official "Warrior Canine Connection" logo is if they are sponsored by the organization. Although I have never personally visited with those in charge of this group or the adorable pups they train, I believe that their mission is honest and admirable. The service they are providing to our returning soldiers is worth every dollar I can contribute. And the live camera feed of the dogs on campus through Explore.com has provided many smiles for my husband and I.

Cats3000 · ‎10-07-2013

I have worked in a hospital. I have volunteered in a hospital. I've seen "Service Dogs" and "Therapy Dogs" at work. They are patient, well-behaved, and friendly to the utmost. They are a marvel. They are wonderful. They are indispensable to patients. Sick children immediately perk up when the "Therapy Dog" comes on the unit. Floor staff love them, too.

And yes, there are "Emotional Support Service Dogs". They have proven to be invaluable to servicemen suffering from PTSD and other traumatic injuries. They seem to be able to offer the owner a respite from his problems. I've seen a couple of reports on TV.

I've seen "Service Dogs" in a variety of public places. They are close to their owner. They only move when the owner moves. Otherwise, they'll lay down and wait for their owner to move. They are allowed EVERYWHERE by law and rightfully so.

Why would someone sell a vest that looks like a "Service Dog" vest? The buck, I guess. The poster children for reprehensible businessmen.

Why would someone buy a vest for their dog to impersonate a "Service Dog"? Self-centered. Self-absorbed. Little if any values and morals. Reprehensible people.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

On 6/14/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
One of the charitable organizations I support is Warrior Canine Connection. Rick and Molly raise and train Golden Retrievers and Labradors to provide loving support to emotionally-challenged veterans. To my knowledge, the only way a dog can wear a vest emblazoned with the official "Warrior Canine Connection" logo is if they are sponsored by the organization. Although I have never personally visited with those in charge of this group or the adorable pups they train, I believe that their mission is honest and admirable. The service they are providing to our returning soldiers is worth every dollar I can contribute. And the live camera feed of the dogs on campus through Explore.com has provided many smiles for my husband and I.

There are a number of legitimate service and therapy dogs for veterans organizations. Warrior Canine Connection has been featured in several Stars and Stripes articles and is part of a grant by the miltary to understand how dogs help those with PTSD and TBI.

http://www.stripes.com/news/the-goal-understanding-how-furry-friends-ease-ptsd-tbi-1.237004