We get the call, about 3 times a month... " where can I get one of those vests so my dog can be my service dog"
Sadly there are local dog trainers that abuse the 1990 ADA by assisting dog owners who abuse the system set for for properly trained service dogs- telling them they can train their own dog to be a service dog in a matter of 2 months or even asking them to simply get a vest and put it on their dog.
A "service dog" is individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate the disability of his owner. Training typically takes 18 to 24 months and is not suited for all dogs. Because of this advanced training, a service dog is considered medical equipment and is permitted to accompany a disabled owner to public places where dogs are not usually permitted.
Animals whose sole function is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy, companionship, therapeutic benefits or promote emotional well being are NOT service animals. This refers to the dog owner who simply feels calmer, happier, less stressed and so on with his/her pet dog present and is therefore calling is an emotional support dog. All of us who love dogs would have a "service dog" if this was the standard.
For a dog to be an "emotional support or psychiatric dog" in the service sense, the dog needs to undergo the SAME type of training as above as well as the owner must have a written prescription for a doctor stating that the dog is necessary.
Although one cannot ask a disabled person what their disability is, you can ask them what the dog was trained to do specifically for them (open doors, pick up items on the floor, alert to phone ringing etc). They also need to be able to show that the dog can perform that task on cue.
The U.S.Department of Justice is cracking down and are enforcing the Amendments Act to the ADA. No longer can people throw a vest on their dog and take advantage of the system set up to help individuals with true disabilities
If you are in need of a service dog, contact the ONLY trained individual in Whatcom County to assist you: Denise Costanten of Brigadoon Youth and Service Dogs: 733-5388
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I'm glad you pointed this out. We've had several run-ins with a neighbor and his aggressive husky. He's in complete denial about his dog's behavior because it's a "service dog." Just because your doctor wrote you a note that says you can have the dog does not make it a service animal! It's a companion animal, and there is a difference. End rant :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important topic, and your points are well taken. Whatever one thinks about whether dogs should be allowed to go more places, taking advantage of this exception is akin to parking in a special-needs parking spot when one doe not deserve it. --Michael Nichols
ReplyDeleteI just found this when I was searching through Service Dog trainers in washington state. It seems like you have a few things wrong.
ReplyDeleteANY trainer can train a service dog. It takes a long time and lots of work, but it can be done even just by the owner. You work on task training and PA work.
I have not talked to any trainers in whatcom county who advocate just slapping a vest on their dog. All of them I called were very honest and told me the steps it would take to have my dog become a Service Dog. Not every person has 7,000 or more to spend on a dog. You can train your own dog as long as they have the proper temperament.
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