From the category archives:

Service Dog Certification

Are you a Service Animal Elitist?

by Spot on September 18, 2009

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. :lol:

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Judge rules on service dog in school

by Spot on August 20, 2009

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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Certified Service Dog Scams

by Spot on July 29, 2009

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 :mad:

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Service Dogs: Serve Many People’s Needs

by Spot on August 18, 2008

Service Dogs: Serve Many People’s Needs
Contact: Adam Cothes, Publicist, WinePress Publishing Group, 360-802-9758, adam@winepressgroup.com

ENUMCLAW, Wash., Aug. 15 /Christian Newswire/ — At one time the term “guide dog” brought to mind a picture of a larger-breed dog walking alongside a blind man or woman as he or she maneuvered through crowded streets, crossed intersections and took public transportation. Today, no longer limited to the blind and visually impaired community, these faithful companions are known as “service dogs.” Dogs of all sizes and breeds alert the deaf to phone calls, doorbells and emergencies, calm the mentally ill and offer comfort to seizure sufferers. Others, called “therapy dogs” visit sick children and adults in facilities where the furry assistants are welcomed and greeted with hugs.

When Linda Smith developed MS she and her husband Don decided to adopt a puppy to raise as a service dog. From an eager, yipping group of puppies they chose a clumsy, quiet Golden Retriever with a soft funny-sounding bark and christened him Tucson. Tucson learned to assist Linda in standing, fetching laundry and barking when she needed help. Soon, however, with the help of a new medication, Linda’s health began to improve. With less need for a service dog, Linda and Don began serving disabled children and kids with learning disabilities with the help of Tucson. “Tucson the Terrific,” as he became known, is now a certified therapy dog and a READ (Reading Education Assistant Dog).

The joy that Tucson has brought to Linda and the children that he serves inspired her and Don to write their first children’s book, “Tucson the Terrific”.

“Tucson invites the children to follow him on a real life adventure,” Linda says.

The story tracks Tucson’s fear that he might not ever be adopted because he is different, his sadness as Linda no longer needs all his help and the joy of finding a new exciting purpose helping children with special needs. Don and Linda hope that the book will inspire young readers to feel good about themselves. “God has a purpose for everyone no matter how dark the circumstances seem to be.”

“Writing this children’s book has been a labor of love,” Don Smith says. “We have shared much laughter and a few tears. We hope our book brings joy to many children and their parents.”

To order, visit www.winepressbooks.com or call 877-421-7323. For a review copy or to schedule an interview please contact Adam Cothes at 360-802-9758 or adam@winepressgroup.com.

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