... Public transportation, as well as Amtrak, must allow any service animal trained to work or perform tasks with the exception of primates and exotic snakes. Any limitations must preserve access for all species and sizes of dogs, cats, rabbits, miniature horses, capuchin monkeys, and other species that can be trained to behave appropriately and be safely brought on public transit and rail. ...
What is the position of The Coalition for Citizens without Disabilities, an umbrella group for organizations supporting the rights of those not disabled in the United States?
ReplyDeleteIf you need support beyond a TRAINED dog, reconsider whether you need to use public transportation. I do not want to fly with anything beyond that.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, many of these animals are difficult to train. Horses aren't that smart, cats are smart but independent, and monkeys can always change and become dangerous.
ReplyDeleteWhy the disparagement of individuals with disabilities. Why the mockery. SHAMEFUL. Why do I care what you "want" to fly with. Show some compassion.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is these "emotional support animals" that are giving service animals a bad name. As far as I am aware only a well trained dog is an acceptable service animal. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201406/service-animal-scams-growing-problem
ReplyDeleteWell, since we've become a third world state why shouldn't we all expect to ride on a chicken bus?
ReplyDeleteYep, the conflation of service animals and companion or support animals needs to stop.
ReplyDeleteI like horse!
ReplyDeleteI have compassion for those who really need and have certified service animals. However out of the ten people i know who bring service and emotional support animals with them 9 do not meet the qualifications. However no one can ask them because it would be discrimination. I have a friend who is highly allergic to dogs. He has a horrible time flying now due to all the dogs.
ReplyDeleteI raise puppies for a service dog training non-profit, currently on puppy #5. Puppy raisers keep the dog for the first 1.5-2 years of its live, teaching it about 35 commands. Advanced training usually takes about 6 more months. The success rate is less than 50% at best--only the most skilled dogs "graduate." Nothing makes me angrier than seeing an animal who is obviously not trained (or not trained well) being passed off as a service animal, knowing the time, money, sweat, and yes, tears that go into making a truly well trained service dog. Our state law defines a service animal as one who is able to perform tasks that the disabled person cannot do for him/herself (e.g., open a door, pull off a sock, provide balance and stability for someone with a mobility impairment). I seriously doubt a snake or a cat can do those things.
ReplyDelete@5:22 PM Service animals can be a trained dog or sometimes a trained miniature horse of certain proportions if it meets certain conditions, at least when ADA applies, because there's a special provision for mini horses.
ReplyDeleteThere are 3 sets of federal laws depending on where you and your animal are: Fair Housing Act via HUD (housing), ACAA via DOT (flights), and ADA via the Justice Dept (public places).
This is an ACAA link with a helpful table:
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/P3.SA_.HUD%20Matrix.6-28-6.pdf
Good point @3:36. I had forgotten that, but it is true that real 'service' animals are carefully selected and highly trained. Some of these emotional support animals strike me as living security blankets. That's fine for it to be claimed as such by the owner, but it's different when imposed on others on public transportation.
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