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A Service Dog?
I was at Spanish Springs this evening for the Rocky and the Rollers entertainment. They were excellent, as usual.
A few minutes before 5, a couple walked onto the square with their dog and took seats near me. In a couple of minutes, I go over and engage them in conversation. Their dog was wearing a vest that read, "Service Dog...Do Not Pet". I definitely can respect that in a service dog. This was a ShiuTsu! We got talking and I asked what kind of service the ShiuTsu performed. The man said his wife was a little hard of hearing. When the husband is out of the house, the dog will bark when someone rings the doorbell so his wife knows someone is there. What dog doesn't bark when someone comes to the door? For this, they bought a service vest and can take the dog into restaurants, fly it free on airplanes, and stay in pet-free hotels with no extra charge. I totally understand appreciating a dog announcing a visitor to someone hard of hearing ...but to take it to the squares, etc ... is gaming the system. What service was the dog going to do outdoors, going to a restaurant, on a plane, etc since the service only applied at their house? Don't get me wrong, no one loves dogs or cats more than me - but gaming the system like this just rankled my feathers - so to speak. My lovely wife just said that I do not know if this couple would do all those things and maybe the service vest was just to kindly tell people not to pet the dog. I did not think of that. It is a possibility either way. |
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Don't fret Sandy, this couple aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. But, you already know that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I was shopping a few days ago at Walmart. There was a guy in the dairy section with a dachsund on his shoulder wearing a vest. My thought was, if someone started talking about him and his ears were burning, the dog could pee in his ear...and give him comfort. True story about the dog.
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People who really don't care how other's feel will act selfishly. Many who live alone here feel sad and their pets are a great comfort. I think that we will just have to accept what is happening because the laws support it. I don't think that all people who take all pets to all places are always acting sincerely and honestly. I understand what you are saying Sandtrap.
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Not Gaming the System
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1. MY Beagle doesn't bark when someone comes to the door. I can't speak for anyone else's dog. 2. You assume things that are not in evidence. That is that with the Service Dog vest they can take the dog all of the places that you list. The fact is that the vest is not an automatic pass. The various businesses can inquire whether or not the dog is a service dog and what the service is that the dog provides. (That's about all that can be asked.) And, if, as you observe, the service is only performed at home, the service dog does not get service dog protection at the businesses. 3. How is taking the dog to the Squares wearing its vest "gaming the system?" Any dog on a leash is allowed in the Squares. 4. It is possible that your wife is correct. The owners did not want the dog to be the target of well intentioned people who would want to pet the dog. |
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I will actually go along with what my lovely wife said. She is a very smart woman - after all, she married me! |
Three Question Test
How about a little three question test to see how much you know about Service Animals?
1. Can a cat be a Service Animal? 2. Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) can Emotional Support Animals or Comfort Animals be considered Service Animals? 3. Can miniature horses ever be use as Service Animals? The answers? They are somewhere on the linked page. It is interesting reading. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals | ADA National Network |
And.....
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Sandtrap - you made me laugh! I agree... all dogs (except Carl's Beagle) bark when someone comes to the door. Gee -- I didn't realize I had a service dog!
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Can someone tell me why someone needs their dog in Ace Hardware. Come on folks leave the freaking dog home. Note: we had our last mutt for 17 years.
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Yodeler
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Nobody's Basenji barks when someone comes to the door. (They never bark.) :doggie: |
A Service Dog?
I grew up with dogs and have always had a dog. My first wife threatened that if I brought home a dog she would lock herself in the bathroom and not come out till I got rid of it. I brought home a dog and kept the dog, now everyone knows where I stand on dogs.
To the point. People, leave your dogs HOME where they belong. Dogs DON'T belong in stores, in restaurants or on your freaking lap as you drive ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
When I see one of those service doggies I don't even look anymore. I have learned it is not any of my business at all. If the dog was being mistreated I would discreetly call the correct person to handle it. We wanted to try our dog, Barney up at the square when we first moved in. Found the best parking spot, better than George Costanza. When I went to get him out of the back seat he said he didn't like the band and asked to go home. I obeyed him.
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Leave Them Home!
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Yapping dogs
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And, on the subject, you will find that many of the larger, self-confident breeds of dogs do not bark when someone is at the door. It is more commonly the little "yapping" dogs that are easily frightened and excited that do the barking. Perhaps that is the reason that many in The Villages think that "most dogs" bark when someone is at the door...........because The Villages is overrun with little lap dogs. :doggie: |
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Yes, it is a strange sound and I was not familiar with the correct term for it. Thankfully, our two big girls don't fit on anyone's lap (but they try). :a040: In addition, their barks alert us to everything. :clap2: |
I would say that all dogs are service animals - they all love us unconditionally and who doesn't need that?? But they don't need to be in the store or restaurant and they don't need a vest.
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Were they also sitting in saved seats ?
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I still travel often and it seems to me more people are taking "service" dogs with them on airplanes and into restaurants and hotels. In some situations a prescription is required - which can be obtained on the internet - so it is hard to distinguish true service dogs from pets people work the system to keep with them. My primary concern is of course sanitation as I do love dogs. Something needs to be done to tighten up the requirements, and soon!
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I have a trained service dog. He is small only 6 lbs. his job is to help people and kids in the hospital. He wears a service dog I'd and jacket when in service mode. He is trained to be playful or be held and petted for long periods of time. Giving comfort to those that need it. Could I bring him with me everyplace. Yes I could, of course I don't. Out in the sun on that hot floor with a bunch of drunk people at the square, LOL
Also people should not be asking questions about what a service dog is for. Both the dog and owner have privacy laws . All stores know this as does the airlines. To fly with a service dog you must also have a signed paper showing that the service dog has been approved by a doctor. You can get into a very big legal issue if you start doing what you did. People normally do not tell others what the function of a service dog is. That is why they have a tag and service dog jacket. When you see it. You do not have the right to challenge if the dog is or is not a service dog. There will always be some who take advantage. That is part of life. The same thing goes for handicap stickers for cars. Stop judging others so much and you will enjoy life a lot more. You can't tell if a person is handicap just by looking at them. |
It takes all kinds I suppose.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I think that most of the itsy-bitsy dogs with a service dog jacket are simply owned by selfish people.
If someone is so emotionally unstable that they need constant comfort from a little dog, I hope they have lost their right to drive. Heaven forbid someone that disturbed should drive a car or a cart. |
Here are two links to some interesting information on this subject.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals | ADA National Network Service Animals | Disability Rights Florida |
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I'm not sure when this happened, I guess I wasn't paying attention. At what point in our society did the distance between man and beast become blurred. I love my dog and I keep a definite boundary between the dog and me, it's master. I do not tolerate my dog on furniture which includes the BED, uggh. Any business that needs to be done is done OUTSIDE. None of that wee wee pad nonsense, REALLY ? Only human pigs allow this. When it comes time to put my dog down, he goes down. I will not spend $15K to extend it's life for another 6 months. At the end, I will dig a hole 6' deep and place my beloved companion wrapped in his favorite blanket and place him at the bottom of his final resting spot. Along with his favorite toys. As I backfill his new home I'll think of all the good times we had together knowing that the distance we kept between us was healthy for BOTH of us, for I'm his master and he the dog.
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I highlighted some of the key ones that a small dog can do. IMHO its not a very good person who judges others' disabilities when they don't mind their own disabilities. And everyone has something.
Person with a Disability Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such an individual; a record of such an impairment; or be regarded as having such an impairment. Work and Tasks According to the § 35.104 and § 36.104 (2010), examples of work and tasks performed by service animals include, but are not limited to: guiding people who are blind or have low vision alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing providing non-violent protection or rescue work pulling a wheelchair assisting an individual during a seizure alerting individuals to the presence of allergens retrieving items providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities helping persons with psychiatric or neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, or calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. Crime deterrence or provision of comfort or emotional support do not constitute "work or tasks" under the ADA. |
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To each their own. Years ago we had to get a king bed so our dogs and cat had room on the bed with us. :D |
We have two dogs, one is a registered therapy dog, which is not the same as a service dog and the other in training. We take both everywhere that is pet friendly for socializing including the town squares, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, etc. This teaches them different scents, sounds, etc to not be afraid of and how to behave around people, to sit, no licking or jumping. We encourage petting so they will be comfortable around adults and children. We do not put the therapy dog vest, which says Therapy Dog along with her name, on her unless she is actually working, by visiting a facility where she is helping people.
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I continue to be amazed at how many people will always assume the worst intentions of others.
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With a lot of things these days, when people take advantage of a system (not to say these people are), it hurts those that really need the assistance. I love dogs, too. But it appears that it's gotten a bit out of control. An example was when a friend of mine was in the ladies room at the airport and a woman gave her little dog its own stall and was talking it into doing what its got to do. A bit extreme!
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Having worked in the government and then transitioning to private industry I can relate to the posts about people gaming the system. I am afraid that the worst comes out in people when they perceive they can "get over' a regulation or get something "free." These people are leaches who suck the lifeblood from all the honest people in this world. NOTHING IS FREE. You are doing a disservice to those who are truly disabled and in need of assistance. What you are getting for "free' is costing the company providing it and the costs are passed on to those who purchase the product honestly. As of late I was astounded to have a neighbor tell me he called the company which guaranteed a particular item in his home and had them send replacements due to defects. The replacements are stored in his garage he said "in case he needs them." This man is STEALING. Just like the people who lie and classify their pets as "service animals."
For that woman who is hard of hearing. GET A HEARING AID. (I did.) STOP LYING ABOUT THE DOG. BTW(BY THE WAY) MY DOG BARKED EVERY TIME THE DOORBELL RANG. There is a name for these people but I am keeping this post G-rated. |
Dont hate the player, hate the game!
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It really saddens me to read all the people bashing on here.
I have a friend who lost her husband a couple of years ago after 55 years of marriage. He was her world and did everything. After he passed away, she mostly stayed in the house depressed and crying. Her friends tried to help, but it was so hard on her. Some of us talked her into getting a little dog. Needless to say, the dog is now her life. Several of us think that little fur baby saved her. Yes, she doesn't go anywhere without her little dog. So what. She now gets out some instead of being shut in. They don't hurt anyone. I truly believe, contrary to what others say, that this dog is a service dog, therapy dog, whatever. She's not an evil person "gaming the system". She's a wonderful person. She just needed a little help to help her get through life. God bless her. She and her fur baby can sit by me any day. |
So many things to gripe about, so little time.
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[QUOTE=Wiotte;1433035]I'm not sure when this happened, I guess I wasn't paying attention. At what point in our society did the distance between man and beast become blurred.
LOL Good question ... I think it was about the same time that animals started TALKING on TV (television) and acting like people. :a20: |
Service animals that I KNOW are true service animals have extensive training. They will not walk away from the owner at a square when the owners are up dancing and having the dog dance in between them. There is a huge difference between a true service dog and a dog with a service vest on (that was bought online). The owners had to grab the dog a few times from just walking away!! Yes, a fake service dog really hits a nerve with me. It's not right for true service dogs. Just another person who thinks they are more important than anyone else and they use the vest to game the system. AND, the dog was not on a leash the entire time. If it was, it wouldn't have been able to start to walk away. That's when the owners finally put a leash on it. I am a huge dog lover but I'm always someone who plays by the rules!
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