Emotional support animals in restaurants/stores

Teacher Terry said:
Jerry, I worked in the disability field for years. First of all people with disabilities are employed at much lower rates than the average population because of discrimination. Therefore they have less money than many.
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I understand that reality. I’m just saying that this is just one more burden they have to bear. It’s expensive to have a disability. Short of a completely different economic system, I was only saying that it’s no more discriminatory to have them pay the extra cost of air travel than it is to have them pay more for many other things. If they have to have a specialized modification in order to drive a vehicle, they (or someone) has to pay for that. If their housing has to be modified to accommodate their condition, they have to pay for that. The discrimination came by way of the affliction picking person A versus person B. After that, it’s the unfortunate cost of the situation, not discrimination by the organization (airline in this case) to charge them.
 
Many people with disabilities never get what they need. Modifications to their home? Not usually unless volunteers do it for free and buy the supplies. Need a wheelchair, hearing aids, prosthetic you better hope a charity helps or if you are able to work Vocational Rehabilitation may buy it for you if it’s in the budget and often as a condition of working. Very limited resources. So now disabled people can forget about flying instead of being accommodated. I think that issue is discrimination and will get addressed since it is a new issue with shrinking space.
 
I just hope they will use all those blue parking spots that are always empty.
 
I don't mind walking farther, so someone with trouble walking is assured of a close space when they need it. But we are getting far afield.
RobbieB said:
I just hope they will use all those blue parking spots that are always empty.
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Walt34 said:
I saw some airheaded bimbo with her "service dog" in CVS last month. Service dog my butt! Pooped on the floor, wandering around (fortunately on a leash) and a vest that had "service dog" written on it no doubt bought on Amazon or someplace.

I like dogs, I grew up with several, but that's way out of line.
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I agree, a "binkie" or a teddy bear does the same thing and doesn't poop on the floor.
 
Ms. gamboolgal and I were at the Casino's in Louisiana this weekend playing the pokerszzz....

Saw a young woman with her "Service Dog" - a full grown and huge Pit Bull walking the Casino floor.....

Something wrong about that - just sayin....

It is unfortunate that the Service Animal thing has been abused by all the entitled whack jobs...
 
Had a lady walk her "comfort animal" pony past our home last week (not assuming-she was happy to share that info). No idea if she takes it to Lowes or tries to fly with it....

So, ahem, do we draw the line with ponys? Pot bellied pigs? Reptiles? Birds? Insects (spiders, scorpions)? "Domesticated" big cats (panthers, lions). Just exactly where does common sense kick in?

My middle school Social Studies teacher demonstrated our USA freedoms by swinging his arms in the air and said we all free to do that until we hit someone else, or restricted their arm swinging. I think I know what he would say about the "comfort animal" situation.
 
Teacher Terry said:
The reason you can’t ask for certification or proof is because a real service dog can be trained by anyone. If the dog can perform the task it needs to do, lie quietly at the owners feet without making a sound, etc it is a real service dog.
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Understood, except that last part. There's technically no requirement as to the extent of the training, such as lying quietly at the owner's feet. The only requirement is "If a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, staff may request that the animal be removed from the premises."

Teacher Terry said:
Actually there are only 2 questions you can ask.
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Right, I was mis-remembering the first one as two, sorry:

In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability.
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Hmmm, think I'll order my granddaughter a service vest to wear next time we fly out to Disneyworld. She gives me much more comfort than a dog, pony, or pot bellied pig can.
 
Teacher Terry said:
I think one thing that has caused more people to lie to fly is because they keep increasing the cost. Right now it’s $150 each way to take a small dog on the plane. With the airlines continuing to shrink the leg room how does someone with a big service dog even fit. They shouldn’t be forced to buy a seat with more room just to fit their dog. Seems like discrimination.
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If they do not buy the dog a seat where does it fit ?
 
I'm sorry you have such problems with other people's business.

People who have no idea about service animals are now experts on who needs what kind of animal.

Pot bellied pigs are smarter than most dogs and very comforting. I'm honestly surprised more are not used as aids for blind people.
Ever had a lap pig sit on you? Awesome experience, guaranteed to make you smile.[emoji12]

We had one and it was so smart. It could pizz DW off in 5 minutes. I generally takes me twice that.
 
MRG said:
I'm sorry you have such problems with other people's business.

People who have no idea about service animals are now experts on who needs what kind of animal.

Pot bellied pigs are smarter than most dogs and very comforting...
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Per ADA regulations, service animals can only be dogs. "Comfort" (or other euphemisms for "pet") animals are something entirely different. An "expert" would know the difference.

I've had pets and loved them, too. I understand some feel that they can't get through life without their pet by their side. That's none of my business. But it's not really my problem, either. They need to figure out a way to get from place to place without demanding that I sit next to their goat.
 
Moemg , they have always sat in front of their person and there was enough room for them to do so. But they keep shrinking the space. If a dog is not laying quietly next to their person trust me they are not a real service dog.
 
Miniature horses are also a recognized service animal by the ADA, but there are a few more assessment factors specific to miniature horses. These horses are only 24 to 34 inches tall at the shoulders, and weigh 70 to 100 lbs. They can easily be transported with a minivan. If someone brings a miniature horse to the courthouse where I work, we have to let it in. I am hoping someday this happens and I see it. I think it would be cool. I am not sure I would want to be stuck next to one on a plane...might be better than a creepy, smelly guy that is halfway into my seat though.
 
I forgot to add, I think there needs to be more regulation of and licensing of ADA animals now that half the population is lying about their animals being service animals. It makes me angry, and is causing a backlash against people who really need and have service animals. I believe it is a felony in some states to pass an animal off as a service animal when it really isn't.

I was in the San Diego International Airport Southwest Airlines terminal recently. This lady was walking her male Chihuahua on a leash, and it kept lifting its leg and peeing on everything it passed. Its owner could not care less. She appeared to be more worried about how she looked.
 
and then there is the "service peacock" that was trying to board a plane recently

gimme a break
 
I love animals too, but I love my granddaughter more. And she is terrified of dogs. If your beloved comfort dog starts to bother my granddaughter, that dog is going to have big problems.

People first. Animals second.
 
I have absolutely no issue at all with true service animals. Unfortunately, the emotional support pets, here in CA, are getting out of hand. As a landlord I can designate no pets (just like designating no smoking.) But if the tenant claims the pet is a support animal, there is no recourse... not even a pet damage deposit.

I was on a flight from NYC to San Diego last December and there were 8 large dogs brought on the plane. 2 were less than happy to be near each other (some growling happening. 3 were large (labs, goldens, etc.) When I was moving cross country 20 years ago I had to a) pay a fee to bring my pet onboard. (No extra seat - this was to place her under the seat in front of me in a carrier.) b) show shot records and vet report. And they limited the number of pets in the cabin. Now with service and comfort animals being brought on - the fees are waived, the shots/medical history is waived, and there is no control over the number of pets in the cabin.

It's an unfortunate thing that there are selfish pet owners that abuse the system to not pay for their pet's travel and feel entitled to do this. I have no problem with legitimate service animals.

I own a dog. I bring my dog to restaurants that have patio seating... I would NEVER think of bringing my dog inside a restaurant (vs the patio) or into a store. Not even home depot. If I needed to travel with my dog I would contact the airline and pay the fees as appropriate. Since my dog is a small husky, he probably wouldn't fit in the foot well so he'd probably be crated in the luggage space. My dog gives me comfort but is not a comfort or service animal.
 
CaptTom said:
I've had pets and loved them, too. I understand some feel that they can't get through life without their pet by their side. That's none of my business. But it's not really my problem, either. They need to figure out a way to get from place to place without demanding that I sit next to their goat.
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+1

I have no problems with service animals (usually dogs) as they have been trained, are well behaved and actually should not be petted or touched by others, and they will very rarely have an "accident". BUT, I do think some kind of certification should be required, and presented, when travelling on a plane.

"Comfort Animals" and "Support Animals" are different. They are undefined descriptions. Some are truly trained, and provide real support, some are just "my 10 year old pet who I can't leave behind". Either way, they are optional when it comes to travel. You CAN get physically on and off the plane without them. If you MUST have them, then some accommodation can be made, for a price.

FWIW, we have a dog. We take her with us in the travel trailer, or sometimes using the car and motels. While she is great with people, not so much with other dogs, so we would never take her to a store or to dinner. Not fair to others.
 
If people are so emotionally insecure that they have to have their pet with them 24 seven ........I don’t want to be around those kind of people
 
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