Fake Service Dogs

[killer_carlson]

oh boy.

Never, ever, thought I would see this.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/BC/ID/2660274117/

Not sure what an appropriate penalty ought to be though.

[PsYcNeT]

Brutal. The worst part is, if you call someone out on it and it turns out they have some non-visible disability that legally allows a service dog, you're a jackass who probably violated some law.

[ken0042]

I've joked about this before, especially when my dog asks to go with me when I'm going out. However I'd never try it. I just don't think most dogs have enough training to be able to pull this off.

[Reaper]

I remember seeing smaller dogs in different situations wearing ID cards with "Personal Support Animal". I didn't get a chance to watch the video (blocked at work) but I'm curious how those types of designations are regulated if at all.

[Number 39]

My son has a service dog and this has been a known issue for quite a while (at least here in Ontario). Its even to the point where we are only issued a single vest for her (the service dog). When it wears out we have to turn it back into the Lions Foundation Dog Guides office before we can receive a new one. We are unable to have a second one (which would be handy when the weather is sloppy) as they are very concerned about people using them in unethical ways. Just to be clear, I'm not complaining as both our service dog and the Lions Foundations Dog Guide centre have been wonderful.

Its a sad state of affairs that people would try to do this sort of thing. When we go out to dinner/stay in a hotel we always call ahead and inform them that we have a service dog to make sure there will be no surprises. I can't imagine why anyone would try to game the system in this way and frankly if I see a fake one I would give them a piece of my mind.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Reaper

I remember seeing smaller dogs in different situations wearing ID cards with "Personal Support Animal". I didn't get a chance to watch the video (blocked at work) but I'm curious how those types of designations are regulated if at all.

Late last year there was a bunch of stuff in the Calgary news about service dogs and folks being refused service and access. I'm not fully aware of how everything works but it seems as though there is a lot of confusion on the subject. From what I think I learn on the subject, in Alberta, only service animals which are trained or certified by an Assistance Dogs International (ADI) school are legally allowed to provide service across the province. Of course there are other organizations that provide training and certificates or licenses for service dogs or companion animals which are not ADI programs so it makes for a pretty grey area.

[Envitro]

Personal Support or Emotional Support Animals are allowed and are granted the same privileges. This is usually issued to someone who has anxiety or other issues of that nature.

However, you can't just get a vest, you have to have a letter from your doctor or psychologist stating the medical need for this ESA and the letter must be re-issued once a year.
Not to say that people can't just go and get a vest, but airlines and hotels will typically ask for the letter as well.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

While I recognize the need for support animals it doesn't make sense to me that you should be able to take them on a plane or the bus.

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Brutal. The worst part is, if you call someone out on it and it turns out they have some non-visible disability that legally allows a service dog, you're a jackass who probably violated some law.

Not sure I agree - if I were someone with a legitimate service dog, I'd be just as upset as anyone about people fradulently claiming their dog is a service dog just to get the perks, and anyone who wants to call those people out would be alright in my books. I'd just explain, no, here's why I need him and here's how you can tell my pooch is legit. No problem.

[Envitro]

^ Hmm, one of the main reasons someone would have a designated Emotional Support Animal would be due to fears of flying, anxiety, etc.

[Number 39]

At least here in Ontario you are issued a photo ID with both the dog and the client pictured on it. If you can't produce it then you don't have a right to be anywhere a normal dog can't go. We keep ours in a pocket on our dog's vest so it is always present. I've never been asked to produce it either and I've only ever been challenged once. In that case it was a small country business who understood once the rules were explained.

A service dog has the right to go anywhere except a food prep area and an area in which high levels of hygiene are required (an operating room for example).

Just to be clear my son's service dog is an Autism Service dog and is fully certified via http://www.dogguides.com/about.html

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

While I recognize the need for support animals it doesn't make sense to me that you should be able to take them on a plane or the bus.

lol I like sentences like these.

"While I recognize the need for support animals, I actually don't recognize the need for support animals."

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

While I recognize the need for support animals it doesn't make sense to me that you should be able to take them on a plane or the bus.

Not sure I agree - if I were someone with a legitimate service dog, I'd be just as upset as anyone about people fradulently claiming their dog is a service dog just to get the perks, and anyone who wants to call those people out would be alright in my books. I'd just explain, no, here's why I need him and here's how you can tell my pooch is legit. No problem.

Why? People with disabilities would only be able to go within walking distance of their house. Sounds a little restrictive to me.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

There are many instances where a support animal is needed generally but is not specifically needed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In other words, having your cat with you does not necessarily help you deal with the anxiety-inducing ordeal that is public transit.

If it actually IS necessary - i.e. if you're the sort of person whose anxiety disorder is so overwhelming that you can't leave the house without being overcome - and if you're further a part of what I assume is the rare subset of such people that having a cat or dog next to you makes all the difference to allow you to do so - sure. But if we're licensing people to have support animals or guide dogs (as BC is according to that story), surely we can make that assessment on a case by case basis.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

There are many instances where a support animal is needed generally but is not specifically needed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In other words, having your cat with you does not necessarily help you deal with the anxiety-inducing ordeal that is public transit.

If it actually IS necessary - i.e. if you're the sort of person whose anxiety disorder is so overwhelming that you can't leave the house without being overcome - and if you're further a part of what I assume is the rare subset of such people that having a cat or dog next to you makes all the difference to allow you to do so - sure. But if we're licensing people to have support animals or guide dogs (as BC is according to that story), surely we can make that assessment on a case by case basis.

Cats don't give a #### how you feel.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

There are many instances where a support animal is needed generally but is not specifically needed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In other words, having your cat with you does not necessarily help you deal with the anxiety-inducing ordeal that is public transit.

If it actually IS necessary - i.e. if you're the sort of person whose anxiety disorder is so overwhelming that you can't leave the house without being overcome - and if you're further a part of what I assume is the rare subset of such people that having a cat or dog next to you makes all the difference to allow you to do so - sure. But if we're licensing people to have support animals or guide dogs (as BC is according to that story), surely we can make that assessment on a case by case basis.

It is probably much easier for able bodied people such as yourself to get around without using public transit than it is for a disabled person so maybe the better solution is for you not to take the bus as you probably have other options. I'm sure most disabled people wouldn't have an issue if you did though...

[Burninator]

For Calgary Transit you can already bring a dog onto a bus or train. You have to pay a fare for the dog and keep it on a leash. Service dogs don't require a fare and you can bring other animals in a cage.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Cats don't give a #### how you feel.

You're probably making a joke, but my understanding is that cats are used as emotional support animals in about as many cases as dogs.

Originally Posted by Zevo

It is probably much easier for able bodied people such as yourself to get around without using public transit than it is for a disabled person so maybe the better solution is for you not to take the bus as you probably have other options. I'm sure most disabled people wouldn't have an issue if you did though...

I think there's a difference between physically disabled people and people with anxiety disorders as there's less of a bright line of the "I'm actually unable to see and need this animal to direct me" sort in the latter case.

Outside of that, why is your post talking about me and whether or not I'm disabled?

[SportsJunky]

By the way, service animals aside, I've noticed an increase in the amount of people that fly with animals generally. As a matter of fact, twice in the last month I've sat in the same row as some pet owner who has a yappy, unhappy, small dog and they have to continually shush it and crank its head back into its carrying bag between their feet. WTF? At least in both cases the dog owner seemed very embarrassed by their mutt's behavior. They should feel terrible. I see it so much more now.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

You're probably making a joke, but my understanding is that cats are used as emotional support animals in about as many cases as dogs.

I think there's a difference between physically disabled people and people with anxiety disorders as there's less of a bright line of the "I'm actually unable to see and need this animal to direct me" sort in the latter case.

Outside of that, why is your post talking about me and whether or not I'm disabled?

If people need a support animal whether they have a visible disability or not, they need a support animal. How kind of you to offer to designate if their disability is severe enough to warrant their service animal on public transit though. Kudos.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Don't be smarmy. That explains why you attempted to make your previous post personal. I didn't volunteer to designate who gets a license; the government agency that's handing out licenses should. Just as they should be handing out licenses to the visually impaired or anyone else who legitimately needs them. Similarly, a person can be visually impaired to a lesser degree such that they do not need a guide dog to manage life.

There's a spectrum of anxiety disorders. Person X may need a support animal, it may have a significant positive effect on Person X's ability to manage his or her daily life, but Person X may not need to have it with him/her at all times. Person Y, on the other hand, may need the animal with him / her to be able to go out the front door. This is a meaningful distinction and should be recognized.