fake service dog

I thought my readers would be interested in this article posted at TheBark

The legitimacy and training of service dogs has come up a lot recently, and many of the cases do not have clear solutions. But what about when someone is consciously taking advantage of the privileges granted to service dogs?

With the USDAA Cynosport World Games coming up in Scottsdale, Ariz., I’ve been talking to many of the local competitors about how they’re traveling with their dogs. Some are caravanning in their RVs and others are reluctantly putting their pups in cargo.

One of the more seasoned competitors mentioned that while she dutifully puts her dogs in cargo, she always sees fellow competitors passing their pups off as service dogs on the plane.

You can read the rest of the post here

A recent article in the Statesman Journal suggest that all service animals should be licensed by the state and properly identified much like handicapped parking tags are issued. Read the article below and then come back here and make your voice heard by posting a comment below.

State should license dogs that assist… – Statesman Journal

Should your service animal have to be licensed??? Comment now

Nothing ticks me off more than the scum-bag companies that have popped up to “Certify” your pet as a service dog. I makes me mad for several reasons:

• They “Register” your pet by taking your money. There is no training, no verification, no one even sees your dog, all you need is an open wallet.
• The amount they charge to “Certify” your dog can be as much as $250 – and what do you get for that money – a certificate they print on an inkjet printer, a cheap laminated tag that they also print on their inkjet printer, a cheap vest worth at most $20 and a couple of patches worth less than $10 that aren’t even sewn on the vest.
• These scum-bag companies will ruin the credibility of real service dog owners. Eventually the airlines and businesses will get sick of seeing these purse pets with vest and tell everyone to take a hike.

I know I’m ranting but these companies are just out to make a buck at the expense of real service dog owners. What’s worse is they go out of their way to make themselves sound official and as though they are somehow a government agency.

You’ve noticed that I haven’t named any of these registration services directly here. The reason is because people are inadvertently promoting these companies, here’s how – if you do a search for the names of these registration services on the internet what you will find is that what comes up is people complaining about what these companies are doing. The problem is that Google and the other search engines aren’t smart enough to know that those post are complaints. Google only know that link is talking about certified service dogs and moves that companies site up in the rankings. If you are going to complain about a company never include a direct link back to them, it’s just free publicity.

I’ll step down off my soapbox for now. If you agree or disagree with me then let me know you’re alive and post a comment below. The more comments we get then the better Google likes it and others may avoid this scam.

Update:

It get’s worse, check out this other site I just found

• A Lifetime Service Dog Identification Card (renewal fee of $50 per year for yearly picture update of your service animal)
• Service animal vest
• Service animal “Please don’t pet me I’m working” and “Ask to pet me I’m friendly” patches (we do not sew patches to vest)
• “Service Animal” patch (we do not sew patches to vest)
• “Critical Information Everyone Should Know About Service Animals” brochure
• A referral for a consultation with a licensed physician (done through teleconferencing)
• Support from Beverly Hills law firm against any instance of discrimination against you or your service animal
• US Service Dogs refer a friend brochures ($50 paid for every referral)

This identification package is available for $365.

I guess they didn’t feel like $250 would be be enough

Trained canines help people with autism Owen Sound Sun Times, Canada 31, 2009 my daughter and her service dog were refused entry to a local store, the reason they gave was that “only guide dogs allowed.” My daughter Nyla Wilde has autism. Along with her sensory system creating havoc on her awareness it also causes great …

More:
Trained canines help people with autism – Owen Sound Sun Times

Rescue dog is trained to assist disabled owner Berrows Journal, UK The pair are currently the only UK-based members of Service Dogs America and last week Arrow officially became a fully-qualified assistance dog by gaining his service dog certificate. Chris Slight, Dogs Trust Evesham centre manager, said: “We’re really …

See the original post here:
Rescue dog is trained to assist disabled owner – Berrows Journal

seattlepi.com Mariners blog Is a ‘Comfort Dog’ a Service Dog ? seattlepi.com Mariners blog We, at Delta Society, have been receiving an increase in inquiries from people with psychiatric concerns whose doctors have prescribed they keep a pet with them to calm anxiety or provide needed emotional support. They call when they are denied access …

View original post here:
Is a ‘Comfort Dog’ a Service Dog? – seattlepi.com Mariners blog

Ruby the service dog in running for Milk-Bone award Forest Lake Times, MN - 5 hours ago She is now a certified service dog and makes regular visits to area nursing homes, bringing smiles to the seniors she encounters. There were also plenty of …

Go here to read the rest:
Ruby the service dog in running for Milk-Bone award – Forest Lake Times

Examiner.com Flying with FiFi? Better read this first! Examiner.com However, because people have tried to pass off their pet dogs as service dogs in order to have them in the cabin instead of in the cargo hold, the captain of the flight has the authority to ask the service dog’s owner to demonstrate the dog’s service …

Excerpt from:
Flying with FiFi? Better read this first! – Examiner.com

Ours for now University Daily Kansan, KS - 2 hours ago I walked into the movie theater with the speech I give at least 20 times a day running through my head: “This dog is a service dog in training. …

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Ours for now – University Daily Kansan