rockhillmanor wrote:
It is exactly the fact of the 'addition' of 'emotional' therapy dogs that is the problem. There are no clear guidelines on how an establishment can verify or discern between a fake and real service dog.
So ergo they let them all in establishments for fear of being sued.:(
The ADA is not up to date on this and the problem IS that the description contained in the ADA report is very vague compared to years ago when most service dogs PERFORMED a function for the blind and handicapped, etc. PERFORMED not just sat there next to a person.
The ADA like everything else is dancing the line of not stepping on the toes of a handicapped person.
Every time I go to Walmart there are puppies being brought in, dogs peeing on every corner aisle in the food sections, dogs sitting in the shopping carts and on and on. NONE of these dogs are service dogs. And add to the fact websites selling all kinds of fake service dog products.
Yesterday I watched a couple pull there two dogs out of their car in the Walmart shopping center and then proceeded to split up and come in two different doors each with a dog, pretending they were not together, so it did not appear that they owned both dogs. Just to bring their non service dogs into Walmart.
Walmart is scared to death to make an evaluation between real and fake service dogs for fear of being sued.
ADA has to readdress their requirements and definitions of service dogs that do not perform a service for a handicapped person. I.E. emotional support dogs. So they can be readily identified as a certified service dog.
This is the loophole that dog owners are using to schlep their pets into establishments.
If you have ever been around a REAL service dog you will know they don't ride in shopping carts, they don't pee all over the establishment. AND most importantly they don't go up to other people walking by. I am tired of having these fake service dogs crawl all over me when I am trying to shop. And I most certainly don't want a dog in a shopping cart that I put food in.
Real service dogs are fully trained in their discipline, healthy, 'clean' and up to date on their shots so they CAN be accepted in areas of food and in public places. Its all part of the very rigorous training for a real service dog and owner.
I have owned registered therapy dogs that I take to hospitals upon request, that have passed rigorous training for both dog and owner. So I know support dogs CAN be regulated. They would not be allowed in hospitals with out it.
Good post. Add that you have attorney's that travel the country with levels and tape measures checking ADA compliance of businesses then attempt to get money for any nit picked issue found. It's legalized extortion. Usually if you follow most people out of a store who are carrying "emotional support dogs" you'll find they are also parked in a HC space. Probably printed out a blue tag from the net. Plenty game the system such as my neighbor. He has been on disability for years yet did a decent job of a frame up restoration on a 56 Chevy, and had no problem re roofing his house while carrying bundles of shingles up a 40' ladder. His only disability is not wanting to work.
