I know most of you put up daily with hassles from people that don’t understand what your service animal does for you. I thought it would be fun to hear some of the really dumb or funny questions people have asked you. Come on I know you’ve got one, share it here.
From the category archives:
Service Animal
Are you a Service Animal Elitist?
This blog was created to share news and information about service animals. I’ve seen a trend in comments here and on other sites which I find disturbing, service animal elitism. I find it quite strange that the people that all have service animals in common seem to segment themselves and dismiss or belittle those whose situations are different than their own. Where I see this most is those who’s animals have been “professionally” trained and those who’s service animals are not.
The ADA makes it quite clear that owners may train their own service animals and have the full protection of the law as long as the owner meets the definition of a service animal and the animal has been trained to preform a task that is directly related to that disability.
I often see smugness in comments here and on other service animal sites that the people that have gone through formalized training feel they and their animals are somehow superior to those that have not. I also see this attitude from people that also think that dogs are the only beast worthy of the service animal status. As the law currently reads a disabled person with a trained pig has just as much right as a person with a trained dog. Unless you know firsthand that the animal does not preform useful tasks for their owner then why would you assume that they can not do everything your dog can do?
I also see this divide between people who’s animals assist with physical disabilities as opposed to mental disabilities. Just because you can’t see the disability does not mean that one doesn’t exist and again the law is quite clear in this regard. I think the old saying that until you have walked a mile in another man’s shoes then you should not judge is something we should all keep in mind. Be thoughtful and courteous of others situations that are different than your own when you offer advice here or elsewhere. 
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Service Animal Relief
Service Animal relief facility in Denver
Here’s a list of airports with Service Animal relief facilities
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Should states license Service Animals??? New Service Animal Laws???
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
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Judge rules on service dog in school
Here’s a follow-up to the original article we posted earlier here Service Dog in School.
WATERLOO — An Illinois school district will have to at least temporarily allow a service dog into one of its special education classrooms, but not in time for his partner’s first day of school.
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Doyle granted a preliminary injunction against the Columbia Community School District, which told the parents of a 5-year-old autistic boy in June that he would not be allowed to bring his new service dog to school.
The judge set another hearing for Monday for both sides to discuss ways the district can safely accommodate the dog, a bouvier named Corbin, as well as other children in Carter Kalbfleisch’s pre-kindergarten special education class. Carter, who got the dog last month, is scheduled to begin school Monday, but Doyle said it would be unfair for the district to take on the dog by Monday without further discussion between both parties. He set no deadline for the dog to enter the classroom.
Read the original:
Judge rules on service dog - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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'Hears' to life, service dog lends helping paw - News 8 Austin
News 8 Austin ‘Hears’ to life, service dog lends helping paw News 8 Austin, TX Seeing-eye dogs are our archetypical example of service animals, but hearing aid dogs might not be as common. For Kathy Richard, her canine, Cheyenne, is more than just her ears. Cheyenne gives her a sense of independence. “I enjoy my independence,” …
Here is the original post:
‘Hears’ to life, service dog lends helping paw - News 8 Austin
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Inside Report for March 4, 2009 - 2TheAdvocate
Inside Report for March 4, 2009 2TheAdvocate, LA Turns out, the dog, Lady, is his service dog . And his disability — he is deaf in one ear — is not readily apparent. Most people are used to seeing a service animal and disabled person together in public when the scenario involves a blind person with a …
Read more:
Inside Report for March 4, 2009 - 2TheAdvocate
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Inmates Help Train Service Dogs For Injured Veterans
CONCORD (WBZ) ? A veteran left paralyzed by a gunshot wound in Afghanistan is getting some much-needed help now that he’s back home, and it has a lot to do with a prisoner at the correctional center in Concord.
Two-year-old Antoine has a nose for old friends, like prison inmate Ed Chapman. He trained Antoine to be a service dog for Cpl. Tyler Wilson – a veteran wounded in Afghanistan.
Chapman is like a proud father. “He’s everything that I hoped he’d be,” Chapman said with tears in his eyes.
Antoine is one of many dogs trained by inmates. It’s a program called NEADS that was started in Massachusetts. So far, 90 have graduated and have gone on to help the disabled.
“It’s just a win-win situation for everybody,” said Sheila O’Brien of NEADS. “I mean, NEADS wins, because we get to place more dogs with disabled people. The inmates win, because they learn how to nurture. They learn how to give back.”
“His personality alone is enough to change anyone’s life,” said Cpl. Wilson about his new companion.
Not only has Antoine improved the life of Cpl. Wilson, but Antoine has changed Edward Chapman forever. “Because of him… He taught me to be a better father and a better person… I’m thankful for him. I am.”
One of the advantages of inmates training the dogs in prison is how quick the canines are trained. Before inmates became part of the NEADS program, there was a four year waiting list for a dog. That has been cut down to three months.
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