Service Animals

Posted on: Mon, Jun 16 2008 6:36 PM

Posted by: Saydrah Posts: 346

http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/ca90069/archive/2008/06/16/president-bush-plan-to-update-national-ada-policy.aspx

Just saw this blog post... no more guide horses, Helping Hands monkeys, psychiatric service rabbits...

Is the ADA restoration worth the restriction of the right to a service animal? What about PWDs with allergies to the more common species like dogs?

Posted on: Mon, Jun 16 2008 7:18 PM

Posted by: Olivette Turbeville Posts: 541

No more psychiatric service rabbits - and guide snakes? 
Holy Moley...  Before long I'll have to give up my exotic pool boy too.   

Posted on: Tue, Jun 17 2008 2:43 AM

Posted by: Becky Posts: 1,561

Olivette Turbeville:

No more psychiatric service rabbits - and guide snakes? 
Holy Moley...  Before long I'll have to give up my exotic pool boy too.   

 

Just send him my way, Olivette! LOL.

Here is a copy of the list of animals excluded as being a service animal:

"Under this definition, monkeys would not qualify as service animals. The proposed rules also would exclude snakes and other reptiles; amphibians; rabbits, ferrets and rodents; and farm animals such as horses, pigs and goats."

With the exception of monkeys, how can these other animals be service animals? I can't see having a service rabbit or service frog.

I don't see a problem with the new definition, unless someone has a "miracle" pig that they've trained.

Becky

Posted on: Tue, Jun 17 2008 12:32 PM

Posted by: ecrowley Posts: 1,797

Becky:

Olivette Turbeville:

No more psychiatric service rabbits - and guide snakes? 
Holy Moley...  Before long I'll have to give up my exotic pool boy too.   

 

 

Just send him my way, Olivette! LOL.

 

Here is a copy of the list of animals excluded as being a service animal:

"Under this definition, monkeys would not qualify as service animals. The proposed rules also would exclude snakes and other reptiles; amphibians; rabbits, ferrets and rodents; and farm animals such as horses, pigs and goats."

 

With the exception of monkeys, how can these other animals be service animals? I can't see having a service rabbit or service frog.

 

I don't see a problem with the new definition, unless someone has a "miracle" pig that they've trained.

 

Becky

 

 

 

Becky, monkeys (like you said) and horses are already used, I don't know about the other animals though... 

Posted on: Tue, Jun 17 2008 4:20 PM

Posted by: SDOnCall Posts: 67

*With the exception of monkeys, how can these other animals be service animals? I can't see having a service rabbit or service frog.*

That was the biggest issue that many were having because many PWD were indeed going with exotic animals. This could be dangerous for both the animal and place of business. However to give you an example and I did some research with this. A ferret was called a service animal due to the fact that ferrets are quite intune with alerting to medical conditions such as diabetics, people having various seizures. Nevertheless with the research I did I found out that in reality this animal though can indeed alert would not be fisable due to the amount of sleep time they are required. (12 - 18 hours a day). So out in public this ferret may not be alert enough due to the fact of sleeping. Then you have Snakes for panic attacks mostly theroputic. Unfortunately these types of animals under the other section of the ADA which people do not read. That a business may refuse such animal if it would cause a massive panic or altered their facility in some way. (eg. an elephant).

The only real issue here is that these mini horses which true mini's are only 24 to 30 inches high. As high as the largest dog. Many where booties so there isn't any harm to the floors. Some where dipers even though these horses can indeed be house trained! They may not be able to curl up under tables but can indeed lay down and be out of the way. But will mini horses be under farm animals, we do not know all the meanings but they do have public comments that would be out in the near future and I hope that many will comment. 

But when we have more and more people using Emotional Support animals and they are told by these schools and doctors that they are actual service animals. We end up having bigger issues. Emotional Support Animals are NOT Service animals and therefore do not have the same rights in public places.

When it comes to pigs there are potbelly pigs that actually can alert and respond as a medical respond / alert animal. There was several news articles (a while back so I do not have those resources) in which a pet pig when the person passed out, went to get help. The pig sniffed, licked the person which was semi concious, then went outdoors and snorting at cars and people going by. Until one person watch and the pig started going in circles then back somewhat to the house then to that person and to the house again. So yes there is such a thing that pigs have to realize. Potbelly pigs can be taught. The only thing I do agree with is other types of exotic animals not being allowed to be Service Animals they can be Emotional Support Animals and these animals are only protected by FHA and DOT. Not the ADA...  Hope this helped.

Posted on: Tue, Jun 17 2008 6:03 PM

Posted by: Becky Posts: 1,561

Hey SD! Yeah, I was debating whether to include pigs on my list or not. I should have, because I saw that same story. The pig's owner had passed out and the pig went outside. I've heard pigs are really smart amd clean. Except the thee male pigs I live with, while they are very smart, sadly are not very clean!!!! LOL.

There's also the question of whether monkeys and pigs are appropriate out in public though. I know many business owners would not want either animal in their establishment. I hate to be prejudiced against both these beautiful creatures, but that's the way it is.

Becky

Posted on: Tue, Jul 1 2008 11:19 AM

Posted by: SDOnCall Posts: 67

Becky:

There's also the question of whether monkeys and pigs are appropriate out in public though. I know many business owners would not want either animal in their establishment. I hate to be prejudiced against both these beautiful creatures, but that's the way it is.

 Hi Becky,

That is the one million dollar question. LOL. Although Helping Hands has placed Hellion, the first monkey helper in 1979. Although it's a certain type breed of monkeys that could be indeed qualified although other breeds of monkeys couldn't or doesn't have the right temperament.  However when it comes to say snakes,  skunks etc. Well then this would actually fall under the ADA sub of a sub of a sub section that a business may indeed have legal rights to refuse such animals being accompanied by a PWD. Reason for that is that these animals may cause most likely will cause a massive fear / panic attacks. Henceforth causing chaos!  The only thing is that people do not read the whole laws! Many others have gotten misinformation about what is true fact laws and what is interpreted. Then we have those with Emotional Support animals in which a snake may indeed be used as such an animal. However ESA are not covered under the ADA. Also Professional Doctors do Not comprehend what a true service animal is they assume it's therapy animals or support animals. Not animals that does specific tasks. Therefore people get confused about what is and what is not.  In other words muddy up the waters. Then you have judges that are bias or intemperate the laws in their way. So I am glad that the ADA Restoration is on a move. I saw the various businesses that are actually backing up this and are for people with disabilities. Nice to see.  The ADA passed in the House 402 to 17. Amazing too on the votes. At least now the ADA has it quite clear about Psychiatric Dogs / Animals being Service Animals.

Although the States though will indeed try to out way the federal civil laws but the ADA still prevails over the States and Local laws which many only allow those with physical disabilities to have service dogs and no other animals leaving out cats.  

Posted on: Tue, Jul 1 2008 12:45 PM

Posted by: TriDog Posts: 2,798

Would a llama be a good guide animal?  I thinking of getting one.

They a known for their strength and could pull me through the snow, up hills and those steep ramps.

And I promise to have him wear a vest so the public knows he's a service llama.