There have been a growing number of articles these days about veterans being thrown out out establishments for bringing in their service dogs – I know because you guys send me the links to stories almost everyday. There’s an article in the Daily News today that probably explains why they’re getting tossed – some companies are capitalizing on the use of service dogs by making fake vests and tags for people who just want to take their dog out on the town with them;
“Companies skirt the law,” [Robert Misseri] explained. “As long as someone says they have an injury, like PTSD, these guys are capitalizing.” Fake and imitation service dog vests can be purchased on eBay, ranging from $29 to $149.
[…]
“People are going to restaurants thinking it’s cute to bring their boutique dogs to the restaurant,” the former narcotics agent, 61, [Jack Garcia] told The News. “It’s a trend that’s becoming worrisome, since service dogs were created for people who are in need of these animals, like the soldiers who put their lives on the line.”
Garcia now volunteers for GOR, helping Misseri crack down on fake service dogs. He told The News that the practice is not only hurting veterans, it could hurt the public at large.
Just like veterans’ valor being questioned, business owners are questioning the legitimacy of service dog claims – and like always, it’s veterans who suffer as result.
There should be a credentialing process for service dogs. The owner should have something (maybe hasn’t been created yet) that certifies that the dog is a service dog and they owner is using it as such. Anyone failing to provide the credentials gets a VERY expensive citation.
A huge part of the problem is in the Americans with Disabilities Act, there is no standard laid out for licensing of Service Dogs… leaving the doors wide open to this abuse.
So even though the animal is supposed to provide a specific assistance to the Disabled person there is no way for anyone to determine if it is legitimate or not, without violating the Law. You cannot deny them entrance if you are told they are a Service Animal. You cannot demand proof of disability or training of the animal. The animal is not even required by the ADA to have a any identification that it is a Service Animal.
Check your state laws and see if htere are requirements for training and licensing.
Massachusetts law mirrors the ADA, but has Laws covering Businesses that train and sell guide dogs, as well as trainers.
So anyone could take a dog, with or without a vest and say they are a service animal.
About Service Dogs:
There is no “License” for them, but there are non-governmental agencies that “Certify” them.
While I take my dog everywhere I go, I do not take her into food service establishments, most stores, etc. I suppose that I could get the VA to say that my dog is critical to my mental stability, thereby allowing me to claim her as a “Service Dog”, but for multiple reasons I won’t do that. I feel that there are many veterans who truly do need to have their dog with them, for a plethora of reasons, both physical and mental. And, if I were to claim that my dog is essential to my mental health, wouldn’t that allow “them” to claim that I am not stable and not worthy of owning firearms.
If someone is Posing with the dog, he needs to be brought down just like the rest of the posers. If he has a need for his dog, we should direct him to an agency that will “certify” his animal.
Are there breeds that are clearly out as service breeds. Usually I see a lab or retriever, but I’ve seen a Yorkie in the Fort Belvoir Commissary. A freakin’ yorkie!
Personally, I’d like to get my Irish wolfhound certified as a service dog. Scares off Islamists and can fetch my car too.
sorry FO, i gotta disagree with ya. i want to get my fake service dog vest for my pit, ill take him everywhere! i wonder if i could take him to work? do they let pits be service dogs? hey, then my dog could make it into the SV tourney next year!
True story – one time when I was between internet connections, I endured the torture of using the public library to do some homework. I sat next to a guy and a girl frantically researching how to get their pit bull puppy (no more than a couple of months old) certified as a service dog before the librarian threw them out. They were querying anyone who walked by for their opinion of how cruel and vicious the librarians were for not allowing them their service dog in the library.
Thank heavens my homework assignment was short. I finished and left before the cops showed up to eject them.
That is IT!!! I have had it with this kind of abhorrent discrimination!!
I’m getting a service vest for Mikey the Large and In Charge.
Since when does ‘service’ apply only to dogs and table attendants?
Gives new meaning to the old phrase “lies like a dog”.
People have no fucking shame anymore.
What scum.
Comrades in Arms:
Many, MANY, looooong years ago, when I was serving my mission for The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, guarding the Rocking G Ranch in Jensen, Utah, my sole companion was a border collie named, “Ringo”.
I hung a “Security Officer” badge from his collar, just like the one I wore on my shirt, and I also put a United States Army dog tag on his collar, inscribed with his name, date of birth, and the telephone number of the ranch.
Ringo NEVER went anywhere where his “Security Officer” badge might be questioned, for the owners had stipulated that Ringo was not ever to be allowed to leave the ranch, as it is an unwritten rule among local ranchers that ALL stray dogs are to be killed, and then buried, without telling anyone.
If you go to my web site, “OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE”, and search for, “MY STORIES OF RINGO”, or just, “RINGO”, you can see a photograph of me and Ringo.
But, don’t just Google “Ringo”, or else you’ll see only computer Internet links to “Ringo Starr”, the drummer for the Beatles.
My homemade amateur video recordings of me reading, “MY STORIES OF RINGO”, can also be viewed at the YOU TUBE web site, where the URL is:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFC924E2DF0AB56FE
Unfortunately, after the owners returned, and I had left the ranch, Ringo was observed eating some rat poison that had been mixed with sugar.
He was rushed to the veterinary clinic (located miles away – – – because out West, EVERYTHING is usually MANY “miles away”) and his life was saved, but his health was affected.
He lived for a few more years, with no visible distress or symptoms, until one day, he could not stand up, and the owners had him humanely put down.
Ringo was a boon companion, but he had his faults, such as panicking at the sound of gunfire, and running out in front of me when I was attempting to aim my rifle at some varmint.
We had lots of fun patrolling that ranch, and observing his antics inspired me to write the stories.
I sure wish I could have a nice puppy dog here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, but it ain’t allowed, unless you’re blind.
Thank you.
John Robert Mallernee
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Gulfport, Mississippi 39507
@6, what i take from your story, is that i can get my pit certified as a service dog? hes 2 years old, so while hyper, doesnt look like a puppy
@11 – yes. But only if you can get enough fellow patrons of the public library to agree that the librarian is a puppy-hater.
First, if you suspect someone is using a regular dog as a fake service dog … PUNCH THEM IN THE THROAT.
Second, review NH web site … one of the better web sites on the issue!
Service/Assistance Animals
What is a Service Animal?
“Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purpose of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks performed include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting an individual to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purpose of this definition.” (Service animal as defined by the ADA, Title III, subpart A 36.104 definitions, July 2010)
All service dogs are granted access by Federal and state laws.
Service Dog Categories
Service dog which assists an individual who has a mobility impairment with tasks including, but not limited to, providing balance and stability, retrieving items and pulling wheelchairs.
Dog Guide which assists an individual who is blind or visually impaired with tasks such as, but not limited to, aiding in navigation and alerting the individual to dangers such as moving cars.
Hearing Dog which assists an individual who is deaf or hearing impaired by alerting the individual to the presence of sounds or people.
Alert/Response Dog which alerts an individual to a seizure or other medical condition.
Psychiatric Service Dog which aids an individual with a cognitive, psychiatric or neurological disability.
Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and companion dogs are NOT service dogs under the ADA.
What Is the Difference Between a Service Dog and Therapy, Emotional Support or Companion Dog?
A service dog must be individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to the handler’s disability.
A therapy and emotional support dog merely provides comfort to an individual in some fashion. Therapy dogs are often the pets of the therapist or psychiatric personnel of the particular institution or hospital where they bring comfort. Therapy and emotional support dogs are allowed in housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), but are not permitted in public places as are service dogs.
Companion dog is just another name for a pet dog.
Is It a Service Animal? … or What questions can be asked?
A service dog is not required to wear something identifying it as such. However, most service dogs wear a vest/cape or harness identifying it as a service dog or dog guide. Service dogs may be of any size. Certification cards are not required. Avest or other identifying clothing is not required.
Under the ADA, one may ask if the dog is a service dog and may ask what tasks the dog performs for the handler.
One may ask if the handler has a disability, but may NOT ask what that disability is.
Service Animal Behavior(standards as set forth by ADI)
Under the ADA, a service dog may be removed from a public place for disruptive behavior.
A service dog must be under the control of the handler at all times.
A service dog must be on a leash at all times (some allowances are made under certain circumstances).
A service dog must not show aggression towards people or other animals.
A service dog does not bark, growl or whine. (However, a service dog may be trained to bark in the case of an emergency effecting the handler)
A service dog does not solicit attention, food or other items from the general public, nor annoy any member of the general public.
A service dog’s work does not disrupt the normal course of business.
Public Appropriateness:
The dog is clean, well groomed, does not have an offensive odor and does not urinate or defecate in inappropriate locations.
Service Dog Etiquette
DON’T pet, talk to, make eye contact or distract the dog in any way.
DO allow the dog to work without distraction.
DON’T speak to the dog when greeting a service dog team, speak only to the handler.
DO ask for permission to pet the dog. Under certain circumstances, the handler may permit it.
DON’T be insulted if your request to pet the dog is denied.
DO realize that allowing the dog to greet you may distract the dog from it’s work.
Because these are friendly dogs, they enjoy attention, however, such distraction may interrupt the dog’s work and could cause injury to the dog’s handler. Keep this in mind when tempted to pet or speak to a service dog
Service Dog Training
ADI (Assistant Dog International) requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
The dog be specifically trained to perform 3 or more tasks to mitigate aspects of the client’s disability.
Dog demonstrates basic obedience skills by responding to voice and/or hand signals for sitting, staying in place, lying down, walking in a controlled position near the handler and coming to the handler when called.
Dog works calmly and quietly on harness, leash or other tether.
Dog is able to perform its tasks in public.
Dog must be able to lie quietly beside the handler without blocking aisles, doorways when possible.
Laws
Federal laws
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) revised in July 2010
Federal Air Carrier Access Act of 1986. The act requires air carriers to permit service animals to accompany persons with disabilities on flights (14 CFR 382.55 (a))
Fair Housing Act of 1988 (FHA)
New Hampshire Laws
Service animals defined. (RSA 167-D:1) “Service Animals and search and rescue dogs”. (effective date Jan.1, 2012)
Unlawful to disguise a pet dog as a service dog (RSA 466:8 II) “It is unlawful to fit an animal with a collar, leash or harness of the type which represents that the animal is a service animal, or service animal tag issued under RSA 466:8 (effective date Aug. 12, 2012)
Licensing of service dogs (RSA 466:8) This provides for free registration for the working life of a service dog (effective date Aug. 12, 2012).
No companion/pet dogs in restaurants (RSA 466:8) A restaurant owner may allow his or her properly disciplined companion/pet dog inside his or her place of business. Such dog shall be removed from any portion of the premises where members of the public are present in the event a service animal is present. (effective date Jan. 1, 2012)
SERVICE DOG TRAINING SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS
NEADS Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans http://www.neads.org
Paws With a Cause http://www.pawswithacause.org
Canine Assistants
Paws for Independence http://www.paws4independence.com
Assistance Canine Training Services http://www.assistancecanine.org (in Moultonboro)
Canine Companions for Independence http://www.cci.org
Dog Guide Users NH http://www.dogguideusersnh.org (This site contains dog guide training schools)
IAADP (International Association of Assistance Dog Partners) http://www.iaadp.org
ADI (Assistance Dogs International) http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org
DAYS CELEBRATING SERVICE DOGS
NH Service Dog Awareness Day June 16
International Assistance Dog Week Second week in August
RESOURCES …..
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Resource website, http://www.ada.gov, where there are many documents with information regarding service animals.
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) http://www.iaadp.org/ IAADP – Public Access Test http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/public-access-test/
ADA Business Brief on Service Animals. A 1-page publication explaining the requirements of the ADA regarding animals that accompany and provide services for a person with a disability in businesses.
Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals. A 3-page publication explaining the requirements of the ADA regarding animals that accompany and provide services for a person with a disability.
ADA Information for Law Enforcement, including training videos. Note: these documents are noticeably absent any references to service animals.
Dog Play
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
Guide Dog & Service Dog Schools
Guide Dogs For The Blind
Guide Dogs of America
Guide Dog Programs and Schools Dog Guide Users of New Hampshire
Dogs For the Deaf
Fair Housing Information Sheet # 6 – Right to Emotional Support Animals in “No Pet” Housing
Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities, includes a section that deals with service animals. Many shelters have a “no pets” policy and some mistakenly apply this policy to exclude service animals such as guide dogs for people who are blind, hearing dogs for people who are deaf, or dogs that pull wheelchairs or retrieve dropped objects. When people with disabilities who use service animals are told that their animals cannot enter the shelter, they are forced to choose between safety and abandoning a highly trained animal that accompanies them everywhere and allows them to function independently.
Dept. of Justice Letter providing specific information about the legal requirements regarding individuals with disabilities who use service animals, prepared by the Task Force to assist businesses in complying voluntarily with the ADA and applicable state laws.
http://www.dot.gov, Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation Animal Welfare Information Center’s Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals
Service Dog Central
There are hundreds of resources on Service Animals and Guide Dogs, constantly changing, on the internet. For specific results, search for specific phrases in your favorite search engine.
Oh, one other thing … those fruit cakes walking around with the little cute pooches and claiming they are emotional support dogs!
BULLSHIT – NO SUCH THING!
There is nothing more bothersome than a tiny pile of shit!
You can’t see it.
I want the warning from ten or fifteen feet away!
my Pit can perform at least 3 tasks.
1. he scares the shit out of anyone that tries to come near his fence and all hippies that he crosses paths with away from his fence (i think its the smell, but he can tell a hippie when he sees one)
2. he tears to pieces anything that is stupid enough to come inside his yard. (i still feel bad for the neighbor’s rottweiler that jumped the wrong fence)
3. he is totally awesome!
i feel that Austin should count as a service dog.
Did you know that dogs are CANNIBALS?
Yes, it’s a dirty little secret, but I’ve actually witnessed pooches devouring hot dogs and/or hush puppies.
But, I do love dogs – – – especially on a bun, with mustard, chili, and cheese.
Just another example of how legislation and programs with good intentions in our country are taking advantage of by those who feel entitled.
Also see:
Handicapped Parking Placards
Public Housing
Food Stamps
WIC
Welfare
Social Security
Food Banks
Tuition Assistance
Meals on Wheels.
etc
I see nothing that bars cats from becoming service animals. The idea that they cannot be trained to do things is ludicrous.
Mikey can not only do the cheetah stud dance, which is entertainment; he can also do the following things:
– Keep my feet warm at night in cold weather.
– Give me a high five.
– Come and tell me when the tea kettle is boiling. (Smokey the Pooh used to do that, also.)
– Come and tell me when the microwave is done. (Smokey did this, too.)
– Provide me with weight-bearing exercise daily. (Weighs 22 pounds.)
– Shake hands.
@#4 DaveO
“Are there breeds that are clearly out as service breeds. Usually I see a lab or retriever, but I’ve seen a Yorkie in the Fort Belvoir Commissary. A freakin’ yorkie!”
Not many. For example, papillons, kick-able and yappy as they may be, can be pretty good service dogs for some disabilities.
Obviously, some breeds are better for complex work (i.e., labs/Germans/border collies are much more suitable than beagles/bloodhounds for seeing eye dogs); but there are lots of legit disabilities that aren’t so breed specific (i.e., deafness, mobility/balance problems, seizures and myriad other medical conditions, chemical sensitivities, autism, and assorted other psychiatric issues (where the dog’s tasks relate directly to the disability)). Also, some breeds are rare for other issues (e.g., short life-span and predisposition to health issues).
The better indicators that the dog’s a fake are (a) the dog’s behavior, and (b) the owner’s behavior re/towards the dog. In fact, those two probably serve as a very good litmus test for all sorts of assessments, i.e.,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99626732@N07/9738294794/
@18 Ex-PH2
“I see nothing that bars cats from becoming service animals. The idea that they cannot be trained to do things is ludicrous.”
Fun Fact: Unlike dogs, whose sterling record of combat service is undisputed, the only account of feline “valor” in recent memory is this: working as Nazi symps to catch Spetsnatz mice deployed by the Soviets to chew on the wires and hoses of German tanks.
exPH2 – very simple. You described a companion, not a service animal. (Having a dog and 5 cats and being married to a cat loonie – I have never, ever, ever seen a talented cat. At anything… even sleeping and eating.)
I remember from MANY years ago when a common ordinary domestic housecat attacked and drove away a home invader, protecting the old lady who lived there.
It happened in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and was widely reported by all of the local news media.
@21 – David, considering that Smokey told me more than once that the microwave was done with its duty, and Mikey does that, too, I have to disagree.
I do know that cats pay attention to things like boiling water on the stove, and will notify you that the water is almost gone, if you aren’t paying attention. Mikey’s done that with me, as did the Late Great Lilly Vanillibean. She also spoke English quite clearly. If she wanted her canned food, she more than once said ‘ninner’ quite clearly.
You just have to learn to pay attention. They aren’t overfed dustmops, you know.
Here’s the URL for a news report of a cat attacking and driving away a burglar:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/385647/BRITONS-PURR-OVER-HEROISM-OF-STRAY-KITTEN.html?pg=all
Excellent cat story, John.
@13 “A service dog is not required to wear something identifying it as such. However, most service dogs wear a vest/cape or harness identifying it as a service dog or dog guide. Service dogs may be of any size. Certification cards are not required. Avest or other identifying clothing is not required.
Under the ADA, one may ask if the dog is a service dog and may ask what tasks the dog performs for the handler.
One may ask if the handler has a disability, but may NOT ask what that disability is.”
After the incident when a restaurant owner in Jersey kicked a guy and his service dog out, I checked out a few websites which explain the ADA law as it pertains to the service animals. The part I quote is where all the abuses start. Quite a few commenters on the sites I read were crazed in demanding that no one can question whether an animal was a real service animal. They insisted that no one can ask more than what I quoted. If that’s the case, the lawmakers/drafters of the law were just asking for abuses.
I think that service animals should be documented like handicap placards are. The handicapped person gets the placard, but they also receive an ID card certifying that they are the ones the placard is for. Cuts down abuses almost to nil. Those who don’t have the ID card get a hefty fine.
We have two service dogs, they both wear vests and even the puppy ‘in training’ is better behaved than most children that we encounter out in the public. My wife has an Alert/response dog that can sense when my wife is going to suffer a ‘spell’. My dog is in training to aid me in mobility. They are both German Shepherds, and even the baby is a large, imposing animal. While we have never been hassled others we know have. My wife carries a copy of the ADA to set doubters straight.
It is a shame that able bodied cheats use the ADA to claim that a service snake or service monkey equates to a service dog.
PS. Bo is too young to visit eating establishments so his outings are limited to Costco and WalMart. At this stage of his training he is being taught to ignore everything and everyone but me. His vest says “I am working, please don’t pet me” and “Service Dog In Training”. He’s a Goood boy!
there have been many heroic cats, i met 2 just last week.
i was driving to work and saw this cat on the side of the road, right as i was about to pass it, he and another cat dove under the tires of my car. the only good cat is a dead one, and these were destined for greatness!
Do them make them service dog vests in a mini daschound size? I have one that is a service dog but her records have been sealed 🙂