What are the things that housing providers are not allowed to do when accommodating tenant/hotel guests and their service animals?

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Under the law, the housing provider may not:

Demand a pet deposit or any additional deposit related to the Assistance Animal specifically.
Demand pet rent.
Restrict the areas of the housing complex where a service animal may access. However, an emotional support animal’s access may be limited to the housing domicile interior and be prohibited in common areas and outdoor areas (such as the pool area or barbecue area) that other tenants also use. Once again, Service Animals have additional access rights that Emotional Support Animals do not

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Service dog allowed into the dental examination room after ABC27 Investigators’ help

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Mike Geib is a Gulf War veteran who is diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He owns a service dog which he named Cookie Dough. She assists Geib by detecting his anxiety and blood pressure level and offers him comfort.

One day, Geib had an appointment with a dentist at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in January. He noticed the sign on the door that prohibited animals from entering the room. So Geib left Cookie Dough in the waiting room with a friend. As he went home with his dog after the appointment, he remembered the sign on the door and sensed that something was not right. He researched the ADA policy and the Lebanon VA Medical Center policy. He also reached out to the ABC27 Investigators to do the story on the matter just in case he would be turned away after raising the concern.

After the ABC27 Investigators contacted Lebanon VA Medical Center about its policy and Geib’s situation, the facility did their own research and decided to change their policy. Douglas Etter, a spokesman for the Lebanon VA, said, “Our policy is based on the national policy, but our policy had some other things in it which we are changing… We are always going to do what is in the best interest of the veteran and if in the best interest of the veteran is having a service animal and the environment therein does not have to be a sterile one, we’ll certainly permit that.” When Geib had his next dentist appointment, the sign on the door was removed.

Finally, Cookie Dough was able to enter the examination room and just sat there throughout the examination. Geib mentions that the hospital just wasn’t aware of the ADA law. The ADA states that service dogs are to accompany their disabled owners in public and that the owners must only be asked two questions: Whether the animal is a service dog and the tasks that the animal performs for its owner.

Article source: Abc27.com

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

ACVO and Stokes Pharmacy of Laurel will offer free eye exams to service animals this year

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Photo courtesy: Veterinary Practice News

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Stokes Pharmacy of Laurel, N.J., will be holding The National Service Animal Eye Exam Event in May this year. In this event, service dogs will be given the chance to have their eyes examined for free. The service dogs that qualify for this event include guide, disability assistance, detection, military, and search and rescue. Registered therapy animals also qualify.

These service dogs deserve to be cared for medically for the selfless work they do for their disabled owners. By having their eyes examined, they will be able to continue guiding their owners without the risk of running into accidents.

A true story that demonstrates the importance of healthy eyesight for service animals is the story of Giza, a black labrador, and Nancy Moore, her owner. One day, while navigating for Moore, Giza led her into the street. Moore was delighted with ACVO’s free service since she is unable to afford an eye exam for Giza.

Registration for the said event will take place from April 1, 2017, to April 30, 2017. Interested participants can visit www.ACVOeyeexam.org for more information.

Article source: Veterinary Practice News

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello gets an emotional support dog

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

A veteran and Glory

Glory is an emotional support dog (a labradoodle) who provides comfort to veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. Josiah Dahlstrom, the administrator for the veterans home, said that Glory would make a valuable staff member since she helps improve the quality of life of these veterans. Dahlstrom also mentioned that so far, they have witnessed a lot of successes as a result of Glory’s presence.

Since Glory came into the home after her 9-month training, several positive changes have occurred. For example, a resident who used to refuse to participate in activities now does. Glory has also calmed down and encouraged another resident who disliked some hygiene procedures.

Ned Mickelsen, a WWII veteran, quotes, “I think she’s a wonderful dog… She’s smart. I didn’t know dogs could be that smart. I think she’s an asset to the veterans down here and I think everybody enjoys her.” Because the veterans have taken an active part in Glory’s care (such as taking her outside to play or go potty), they get to go out more often.

Glory stays at the veterans home from Monday until Friday at 8 am to 5 pm. She also visits other people who need her help.

Article source: Localnews8.com

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College student got her emotional support animal approved by the university

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Going to college can be very stressful for some students who have not been used to being away from their families. For this reason, having an emotional support animal as a companion is beneficial.

Miranda Schnakenberg happens one of these students who has found relief in her cat named Gatsby. Schnakenberg suffers from anxiety and depression. She shares her challenging experience on having her emotional support animal approved on campus.

The UMW Office of Disability Resources required Schnakenberg to complete some paperwork and provide a diagnosis of her condition and prescription from her physician. After complying with all the necessary documents, she was finally given permission.

According to Schnakenberg, Gatsby helps her cope with her issues of feeling alone most of the time. She feels that her cat loves her so much and that they rely on one another since she needs to get up each day to feed Gatsby while Gatsby gives her emotional comfort at the same time.

Article source: The Blue & Gray Press – The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Experts give their opinion on assistance animals

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Photo By Takashi Hososhima via StockPholio.com

Just recently, the Supreme Court of the United States favored a girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy and her service dog.

Although service dogs have been popular since the 1920s, there is still a lot of speculation regarding their definition and specific roles. Several experts give their opinion on service dogs and assistance animals as a whole to address controversies.

According to Jessica Smidt, Healing Enhancement Therapy Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, real service animals are trained to perform tasks that their owners are unable to do for themselves regardless of their individual effort. Eichler also mentions that there are disabled people who are able to perform their activities of daily living better with an assistance animal around. A lof of individuals do not have overt signs of a disability and because of this, they can be regarded in a different way that disabled people who have obvious signs.

Donna A. Baker of Emory Rehabilitation Hospital agrees that service animals can make a big difference in how disabled people are able to live independently. That is because service animals can do a wide variety of tasks for their disabled owners such as opening a door, picking up dropped objects, and helping their owners stand up during a fall.

Article source: Medpage Today

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How will businesses differentiate between real and fake service animals?

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

To date, there is no specific government-issued documentation that certifies service animals. Because of such ambiguity in the ADA, businesses are offering identifying items such as vests and collars to help owners of legitimate service animals access places where pets are normally not allowed.

In order for an establishment to know whether a dog is a service animal or not (and only posing as one), that establishment is only allowed to ask two questions to the animal owner:

Is this animal required because of a disability?
What task is this animal trained to perform?

Chris Kreiger president of WNY Heroes, a support group for veterans, mentions that while some people are taking advantage of paraphernalia to make a false claim that their pets are service animals when they’re really not, animal gear can still serve useful for real service animal owners.

However, remember that animal gear can help shortcut uncomfortable conversations with business owners but it does not give an animal its status. Kreiger states that he hopes that the government “tightens up” the law to eliminate fake service animals.

Article source: Wivb.com

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Will airline personnel require documentation for an emotional support animal to accompany disabled owner?

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

With respect to Emotional Support Animals (ESA), airline personnel may require current documentation (i.e., not more than one year old) on letterhead from a health professional stating:

That the passenger has a mental health-related disability.
That having the animal accompany the passenger is necessary to the passenger’s mental health or treatment or to assist the passenger (with his or her disability).
That the individual providing the assessment of the passenger is a licensed mental health professional and the passenger is under his or her professional care.

The purpose of this requirement for a medical letter is to prevent abuse by passengers that do not have a medical need for an Emotional Support Animal.

Airlines are not permitted to require the documentation to specify the type of mental health disability. Therefore, the letter does not have to specify what it is that the patient suffers from (e.g., panic attacks).

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Is a housing provider allowed to evict an assistance animal or refuse to accommodate it?

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

The answer is yes.

The housing provider can evict/eject the Assistance Animal if it causes an unreasonable nuisance or public safety hazard (for example, a barking habit, flea infestation, evidence of an actual disease, aggressive behavior, feces or urine contamination due to the owner/handler neglecting to clean up, etc.) Please note that these must be actual rather than merely potential issues.

He or she can refuse to accommodate the request for an Assistance Animal if it would cause an undue financial burden (for example, if the his/her insurance carrier would cancel the insurance policy if a certain breed of dog, such as a pit bull or chow breed, were kept on the premises, or if the accommodation would require extensive costs that would be considered objectively unreasonably high, such as physical alterations or construction).

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Ontario family fights son’s rights to bring service dog in class

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Kenner Fee and his service dog

According to the Fee family, their 8-year old boy named Kenner Fee was not allowed by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to bring his black Labrador Ivy to class since the presence of the animal would only place “undue hardship” on the school staff.

Kenner Fee is diagnosed with autism. His father, Craig Fee, says that the service dog helps his son calm down especially during anxiety attacks. If only the dog was allowed in class, things would definitely be easier for Kenner’s classmates and teachers. Craig stated, “They’re going to get a lot more learning and work done if my kid’s not shrieking at the top of his lungs or bolting from the schoolyard.”

The school board had two arguments regarding having the service dog in class. They said that they had the right to dictate whether to allow the dog or not since the school building is private property. Secondly, Kenner cannot manage the dog himself since he lacks fine motor skills. The Fees have fought for their son’s right and has gone to the province’s human rights tribunal.

David Lepofsky, a lawyer and disability rights advocate, has been concerned about the matter. He said that the school board should provide evidence that the dog’s presence would actually place “undue hardship” on the school staff and that they should consider alternative accommodations first. According to Vice-President Laura Kirby-McIntosh, the province has to establish an accessibility standard for education. She hopes that the outcome of the case would bring clarity on the matter.

Article source: Flamboroughreview.com

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ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

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