Fake service dogs really chap my hide.

[Rick Lee]

This is getting out of control. I love dogs more than people, doubly so for well-behaved dogs. Seems like every "service" dog I see these days is wearing some generic vest bought on Amazon and belongs to a perfectly able-bodied person. One guy, who looks like a very serious lifter brings one to the gym and it lays on the ground next to him while he works out. Two weeks ago at the Phoenix airport I saw another fake service dog jump all over a TSA agent at the security line. Agent pet and played with him, you know, just like the real service dog vests tell you not to do. 10 min. later that same dog took a steaming dump on the carpet in front of the gate. Two able-bodied adults and two kids were with it. I hate everyone.

[sammyg2]

Some folks are just inconsiderate selfish lying POS *******s.

[Vipergrün]

"Emotional Support Dogs" Give me a friggen break. Yes I know there are valid cases, but as you said, out of control.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

"Emotional Support Dogs" Give me a friggen break. Yes I know there are valid cases, but as you said, out of control.

Concur.

There needs to be an accredited institution, preferably not governmental, that manages this stuff. It needs to be a crime to forge one of their vests and any vest other than theirs needs to exempt business owners from being allowed to challenge it.

Full disclosure - my sister pulls this schit to get a free seat for her dog on flights. Drives me effing nuts. At least her dog is very well behaved, at least as much as any bonafide service dog. But still. I can't believe the truly disabled aren't outraged by this.

[McLovin]

I was on cross-country trip recently and was surprised at how many dogs there were in the airports and on the planes. Obviously all just regular pets.

Up to 2 years ago (maybe even a year ago) I don't think I'd ever seen a dog in an airport or on a plane.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

Not all disabilities are visible, and not all service dogs are there to perform tasks for their owner other than to be there for emotional support.

I can't decide if the above should be in green or not.

While my statements are true, I agree that this is getting out of hand. The only thing you need for your dog to be a service dog is a vest. The organizations who work with the 'true' service dogs can't be happy about this trend either.

From what I've seen, it also seems many require "paperwork."

For example, I saw someone trying to get a vest wearing dog into an event, and the guy at the gate said "do you have the paperwork?" The guy said he didn't, and they didn't let him in.

The problem, though, is it doesn't seem like "the paperwork" has any meaning! It seems like even when people ask for it, they don't really know what they're asking for. Any "official looking" piece of paper saying "this dog is a certified service dog" seems to do.

The thing that's kind of weird to me is that don't ALL dogs provide emotional support to their owners?

[Jrboulder]

You can also get a therapy miniature horse these days and travel with it.

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

You can also get a therapy miniature horse these days and travel with it.

and pot belly pigs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, even turkeys.

It is out of control and ruining it for those who truly need service animals

[Rick Lee]

Pretty sure, if you're the property or business owner, you can ask what tasks the animal is trained to do, but not what condition the owner has. That needs to change. Anyone who owns or manages private property needs to be able to restrict access to anyone. I would like to see a sign that reads something to the effect of: "Bonafide, credentialed service animals welcome. All others are not." And give people and businesses the right to enforce this. That goes double for airports and airlines.

[ossiblue]

This topic was discussed in an earlier thread, but it bears repeating.

True service animals need no paperwork, licenses, or special identification. However, the only thing the government (ADA) recognizes as a true service animal is one which "is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability". There are only two question that can be asked of an owner of a service animal: 1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a specific disability?, and 2) What specific tasks is the animal trained to perform? The owner does not need documentation to support his answers, but lying about it could lead to a fine.

This being the case, all other "assistance" animals are not protected under the ADA. Emotional Support Animals are not protected. Each state or community, however, may pass legislation to allow some protections for assistance animals, but they are not protected by the ADA. All the vests, collars, and paperwork is simply a way to coerce businesses into allowing untrained animals into public places, especially if the business is unaware of the ADA definition and any local laws regarding non-service animals. Airlines are the perfect example. True service animals would never act out as the examples posted here, yet they are not screened. Asking the two simple questions would be the first step, and if the animal later proved to be unruly, the owner could be prosecuted for lying. Would airlines do such a thing? Doubt it.

As far as emotional support service animals--legitimate ones as defined under the ADA--the airlines can ask more than the two basic questions. Documentation can be asked for, such as " Current documentation (not more than one year old) on letterhead from a licensed mental health professional stating (1) the passenger has a mental health-related disability listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV); (2) having the animal accompany the passenger is necessary to the passenger’s mental health or treatment; (3) the individual providing the assessment of the passenger is a licensed mental health professional and the passenger is under his or her professional care; and (4) the date and type of the mental health professional’s license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued.16 This documentation may be required as a condition of permitting the animal to accompany the passenger in the cabin." https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

[DaveE]

I never heard of this. I guess it pays to live out in the boonies...

[matthewb0051]

I work with a guy that claims to need a service dog. No one really knows the particulars of why nor have they asked. About 6 weeks ago he claims to have euthanized the dog but even that is unclear. So now, no service dog.

Begs the question: if you needed one and it is now dead why don't you have one and how are you getting by without one? Yeah, I know that it takes time to get one, allegedly. But the question remains.

Begs the other question: how can a guy that needs a service dog be a commissioned officer in the Navy reserves? I've known of guys in medical holding units with service dogs but they were on their way to medical discharges. Not this guy, he is still performing reserve duties.

Curious(er) and curious(er)

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Asking the two simple questions would be the first step, and if the animal later proved to be unruly, the owner could be prosecuted for lying. Would airlines do such a thing? Doubt it.

I doubt it too, but they might throw someone off the airplane to make room for the service llama.

You can get your pet registered as a service animal, but from what Ozzie said, this registration service is a scam.

https://www.officialservicedogregistry.com/free-service-dog-information/?gclid=CjwKCAjw0qLOBRBUEiwAMG5xMAb0Pg6ETlxSKpMfoZo ola7F0UP8lkEtrXld1UZoz7amcBAI_PtKshoC44UQAvD_BwE

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

I work with a guy that claims to need a service dog. No one really knows the particulars of why nor have they asked. About 6 weeks ago he claims to have euthanized the dog but even that is unclear. So now, no service dog.

Begs the question: if you needed one and it is now dead why don't you have one and how are you getting by without one? Yeah, I know that it takes time to get one, allegedly. But the question remains.

I know someone who has a service dog that can anticipate when she will have an epileptic episode so she can get herself into a safe place or get help. She got along without it before and can function without it now, but she does better when the dog is with her.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Pretty sure, if you're the property or business owner, you can ask what tasks the animal is trained to do, but not what condition the owner has. That needs to change. Anyone who owns or manages private property needs to be able to restrict access to anyone. I would like to see a sign that reads something to the effect of: "Bonafide, credentialed service animals welcome. All others are not." And give people and businesses the right to enforce this. That goes double for airports and airlines.

Landlords can ask for more detail regarding the disability if the tenant requests an accommodation due to a disability.

"An individual with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation may be asked to provide documentation so that the landlord or homeowner’s association can properly review the accommodation request. They can ask a person to certify, in writing, (1) that the tenant or a member of his or her family is a person with a disability; (2) the need for the animal to assist the person with that specific disability; and (3) that the animal actually assists the person with a disability. It is important to keep in mind that the ADA may apply in the housing context as well, for example with student housing. Where the ADA applies, requiring documentation or certification would not be permitted with regard to an animal that qualifies as a “service animal.” https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

Still, with regard to housing, the Fair Housing Act may apply which allows for the acceptance of a non-service emotional support animals if they qualify as a reasonable accommodation. The prospective tenant must claim to be disabled, however.

[sammyg2]

Most people with so-called service dogs are gaming the system.

If you need a dog with you for "emotional support, get the **** back in your house and stay there.
snowflake.

[Gogar]

there should be a stolen valor test for all these pansy fake service dogs

[RKDinOKC]

If you are a business owner and ANY "service dog" is unruly or does not behave you can ask the person to remove the dog.

When I had my first Golden Retriever it was NOT a service dog. BUT I could take her almost anywhere, even places that had signs saying no pets, and often did. It was because she was so well trained and behaved, as good as or better than a service dog. She stayed right at my side and would not interact with other people or animals unless I told her it was okay. This included offering her food. Did NOT ever have her wear a vest or ever claimed she was a service dog. Never had to use a leash either.

When I went someplace that did not allow dogs or questioned it. I would ask first telling them how well trained she is, then show them. The real kicker was when I took her to a grassy area, pointed at a spot, told her to do her stuff, and she did. Found most hotels are only concerned about the dog disturbing other lodgers and having to clean up after it.

Service dogs for whatever service they provide should be trained like she was and be, quiet, not interact with others or poop or pee anywhere unless specifically told to. If they cant do that they shouldn't be allowed in public as a service dog period.

[CurtEgerer]

See, the thing with my therapy tortoise is it now takes 4 hours to get groceries. But I feel super awesome about myself when we're done.

[ckelly78z]

Emotional support dogs (I almost spit those words out)......There are alot of friggin snowflakes scared of having their fragile feelings hurt, and not having something to lean on. These are the same lame idiots who have a "handicapped" placard hanging from the mirror of their lifted 4x4 truck who always park in the close spots. It seems to me there are a bunch of mamas' boy pansies out there who have never known real stress, or pain.

Anyone that knows me personally can confirm that I have been through hell and back, while using up my nine lives from health issues, and being a car accident victim twice. I have two good ole farm dogs, but never needed their "support" for anything but patrolling the property.