@Harvard99
@Harvard99 wrote:
@Pook wrote:
@Harvard99 wrote:
@Pook wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
@Pook wrote:
A properly trained and certified emotional support dog is considered a service dog and there are many of those! They would have the qualifying vest and paperwork carried in the vest!
That might be true in some localities but definitely not all and many places have cut out "emotional support" animals altogether. Good grief, the vests and paperwork could be purchased online like a pair of shoes...LOL
While you may be able to get fake documents online, the vest is different also and the paperwork has to show legitimate certification which is way different than those from online. There are many who need that help (especially veterans with PTSD who have a difficult time functioning after coming back). Who would be so heartless to begrudge a legitimate support dog for those who have trouble functioning on their own due to emotional issues - especially vets who fought for our country??
I would sooner see dogs in stores than wild, dirty kids!!!
@Pook If someone, especially veterans, legitimately requires a service animal, there are agencies who will assist them and there's funding available to get them a service animal. The ADA itself states that emotional support animals are not service animals. What's so difficult to understand, IT'S THE LAW.
What's so difficult to understand - service animals are all certified and trained and availble to those who need the emotional support in order to function. Like I said they are provided for many - especially veterans with PTSD!!!
PSTD and pyschiatric issues are legitimate disorders recognized by ADA.
It's amazing how heartless some here are!! Who could say a veteran or someone who needs that service dog in order to be able to leave their house is just not entitled to as normal a life as possible!!
@Pook I'm assuming you are referring to my post because you are quoting it. I'm not heartless, you're confused. Veterans can and should get service dogs, if they need them. Unfortunately, if they opt for a comfort animal they won't be able to food shop with it. I wish a veteran would chime in here. I'm exhausted.
I want to say in defense of people with therapy DOGS, not the same as service DOGS. The difference is, my dog is a Poodle/Maltese and is a legit Therapy Dog, that had two weekends of training at a legit training place. Then a month training at a hospital. Her paper work is not phony and cost me, along with her Therapy coat, leash, collar and my uniform identifying myself, 200.00. She is not my comfort dog,(although, she brings me comfort, love and friendship), but a comfort dog to people in hospitals, and the ER. The Dr. and nurses love to pet these dogs to relieve their stress, they have stated. She also goes to nursing homes.
One of the rules we were informed was, they cannot go in grocery carts, it,s against the law.
Once in while because I live in a different city from where we volunteer, I need to stop to pick something up at the market. If it is summertime, I can,t leave her in the car, winter I can, but don,t like too because of people here breaking into cars. Most people want to Pet her because she is so cute, sweet and doesn,t bark, nor shed. Once in awhile you get an unhappy person that likes to make a rude comment and think her credentials are phony. We are not hurting anyone and she helps a lot of people in hospitals that miss their own animals or are scared. These rude people don,t know the circumstances, but in their defense, a lot of people might have phony papers , but they might really need that animal. I did have a few people saying, "your dog is better behaved than some kids that come in" .
What harm is there in a dog that is clean, well behaved, being with the person that needs them? Who is it hurting? There are people that just love to be mean for whatever reason. Unless it is hurting you, give them a break. You don,t know their life orcircumstances. My dog has brought many, many smiles and it does my heart good.
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