“For the most part I support the regs regarding service dogs. However, because there is so much abuse occurring regarding Emotional Support Animals and the disregard to train the dogs properly, I feel the requirements are too lenient. I believe that these service animals, emotional or otherwise, should receive strict training and be confirmed as passing all tests. In addition, I disagree that they should not be required to wear a vest or other accessory to designate status — AND should only be available to those who successfully pass the program. I want to state that I don’t think the general public should be required to pay for the training or the accessory, but the owner should absorb all costs. There is too much abuse going on and when there are people who are offended by dogs, fear them, or their allergies act up when dogs are around — you must impose restrictions and requirements. It’s not a free for all because an owner can’t bear to go anywhere without their dog. I love dogs and animals in general. I have family and friends who do not like them or are afraid of them — and have many who love them like I do. But to impose a “service dog” or “emotional support animal” on everyone without credible credentials is beyond me.”

RESPONSE: Really? “Strict” training? Passing “all tests”? And what if the owner cannot find a “strict” trainer or test center nearby? Is he or she out of luck? Who defines what constitutes such training and tests? Whose tax dollars do you want to pay for such training or testing centers? Or do you want the owner to pick up that tab? Actually, you answered that question— “the owner should be required to absorb all costs.” Oh, and you want such animals to be required to wear a special vest? You mean, that the disabled should be required to publicly display their status to the world at large? You didn’t mention it, but do you want the owner to also wear a placard around their neck? To tattoo their status on their face? Outrageous.

Here’s another one:

“It is unfortunate that more and more often I see people label their dogs service dogs when in fact the people are “scamming” the system. I work in a [government building] and observe people using their pets labeled as service dogs so they can take them in to [government building]. Sometimes these are unfriendly dogs. [Government] staff has no recourse but to allow them to go in because the dogs are wearing the labeled vests. I think that you should have strict criteria, e.g. demanding that you see some certification that the person is mentally or physically disabled, so that you help avoid this problem.”

RESPONSE: So are you some sort of expert who can spot the “fakes”? You seem pretty sure of your “fake” spotting abilities. Have you considered that those service animals are actually legitimate? And do you really want to require that disabled persons get themselves “certified” as mentally or physically disabled and that they be forced to present such paperwork at anyone’s arbitrary demand? Ludicrous.

The accusations and blanket statements are shocking, and the obvious bias against the disabled is blatant. Whether these people realize it or not, they are advocating to make life more difficult for legitimately disabled persons and their service animals and emotional support animals.

Does abuse ever occur? Maybe. Probably. Just like there are probably people out there who have fake placards for parking in disabled parking spaces, or people who enroll in welfare who don’t actually meet the guidelines, or people who ask for a senior discount at a movie theater when they are actually not yet 55 years old. Yes, there are cheaters in the world. People who speed their cars over the posted limits, people who cut in line, people who abuse rules or systems. People who cheat on taxes.

Is that any reason to take away or lessen the rights of the disabled? To make it harder for them to enforce or exercise their rights? To demand that they jump through difficult administrative hoops in an attempt to curb abuse or “fakes”?

Keep in mind that abusers will find a way to abuse the system no matter how many checks, balances, red tape, or hoops you create. So by making life harder for the disabled, you help no one, and hurt those who most need our support. And any “fakers” would still find a way. So shame on anyone who broadcasts such “hate mail” messages and is willfully blind to what’s really at stake— access and equality for all under law!