[Flagdu] My Mistake: DOJ redefines service animal -- dogs only

[ralph narducci]

GO AWAY!




________________________________
From: David Evans <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net>; Florida Association of Guide Dog 
Users <flagdu at nfbnet.org>; NAGDU List <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sat, July 31, 2010 6:30:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Flagdu] My Mistake: DOJ redefines service animal -- dogs only


Dear Marion,

The new ruling would seem to eliminate other accepted service animals, such as 
Monkeys, that are used by Quads to feed them selves, ferrets, pot belly pigs 
that are trained to open and close doors, turn on and off lights and retrieve 
objects.
If this is true, this is a very sudden shift in policy.
The emotional support animals issues still needs to be addressed as they do 
serve a useful function, but their rightful use still needs to be better defined 
under the Law.
I deal with many of them in my area that ride on Para-transit and fixed route.
We have a young man, with mental disabilities who uses a emotional support snake 
to keep himself calm on the bus.  I know that it keeps him calm, but there are 
other people who ride who don't feel that way.

Regs need to be defined as to how much freedom of movement these animals have on 
our buses.
Unlike service Dogs, who must be free roaming to do their job, emotional support 
animals may not need such freedom and may need to be confined in pet carriers 
for their trips.
I will be glad to see this issue settled and regs defined as it will make 
handling of such animals easier and training of drivers, on our transit services 
easier and more uniform.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
Palm Tran Service Board
Para-transit Sub-Committee
TD LCB Board
South Florida Regional Transit Authority/Tri-Rail
----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; "FLAGDU List" <FLAGDU at NFBNET.ORG>
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 2:51 PM
Subject: [Flagdu] My Mistake: DOJ redefines service animal -- dogs only


> Dear All,
>    In a previous post to the NAGDU list, I mistakenly asserted that the new 
>rule included only dogs as service animals. I based this assertion on the 
>information I had received; however, I also received a message from another 
>source that states,
> 
> The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, 
>subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a 
>horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses 
>in the definition of "service animal."  See http://www.ada.gov/reg
> 
> I apologize for the misinformation I disseminated. As more information is made 
>available to clarify this ruling, it will be shared with the list. The entire 
>message I received concerning this new rule is pasted below.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
> National Federation of the Blind
> 813-626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> HTTP://NAGDU.ORG
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Service Animals. The rule defines "service animal" as a dog that has been 
>individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an 
>individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild 
>or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to 
>perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are 
>used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also 
>clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that 
>are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule 
>permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to 
>certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse 
>would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in 
>the definition of "service animal."  See 
>http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title2_factsheet.html
> 
> 
> 
> 
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