[Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] ACCB resolutionon changestohave certification for service dogs

Sun Apr 6 21:36:19 UTC 2014

Have a wonderful visit with your Mom, Sheryl,, and a safe trip.

Just one small comment.  What you mentioned about The ADA and the Florida 
law is exactly what some of us think needs to be changed.

Take care.

----- 

inal Message ----- 
From: "Sherrill O'Brien" <Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
To: "'Florida Association of Guide Dog Users'" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] ACCB resolutionon changestohave 
certification for service dogs

> Hello all,
>
> I've not been writing on this thread, as I have been very busy, and am 
> getting ready to fly to Illinois with my daughters to visit my 99 year old 
> Mom.
>
> Please keep in mind that our dogs are not "certified" by anyone. We who 
> attend guide dog programs are given ID cards, but these do not "certify" 
> our dogs. There's nothing binding about them as there is, say, with a 
> Florida ID, which can be used, as we all know, in place of a driver's 
> license at the airport or when we vote.
The ADA does not require identification for service dog handlers when 
accompanied by their dogs. Our Florida law does not require it. So why 
should an owner trained dog have his/her dog "certified" by an agency? This 
opens a huge Pandora's box, and FLAGDU is opposed to going down this road.
>
> We should all be pleased that the proposed Florida bill criminalizes this 
> service animal fraud, just as our current Florida statute 413.08 
> criminalizes access denial. This should be considered a huge step forward.
> In case you haven't read the bill, here's what it says in section 9.: "A 
> person who knowingly and willfully misrepresents herself or himself, 
> through conduct or verbal or written  notice, as using a service animal 
> and being qualified to use a service animal or as a trainer of a service 
> animal commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided 
> in s.775.082 or s.775.083, and must perform thirty hours of community 
> service."
>
> NAGDU passed a resolution a couple years ago encouraging all states to 
> work toward criminalizing access denial of a person with a service animal. 
> With the outcry against service animal fraud, we can likewise encourage 
> states to pass laws making service animal fraud a criminal offense similar 
> to Florida's currently proposed legislation. Marion told me this precedent 
> has been set in other states, so he may be able to tell us which ones 
> already have this law in place.
>
> So it is now our job to spread the word in whatever creative ways we can 
> think of.
>
> FLAGDU is more than willing to assist with this.
> That being said, we should continually be vigilant about our own rights to 
> access with our dogs and spread the word about the criminal penalties 
> which can result from access denials.
>
> I'm very glad we're having this discussion.
>
> Sherrill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Flagdu [mailto:flagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Patricia A. 
> Lipovsky
> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:28 PM
> To: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolutionon changestohave 
> certification for service dogs
>
> Hey Janet.
>
> Thanks for sharing this.  I did not know that there are agencies currently
> in existence that will certify a self trained service dog. I think this is
> great, as I do feel people do have the right to train their own dogs, as
> long as they get certified for that training.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Janet DeLuca" <janetsyear2010 at gmail.com>
> To: "'Florida Association of Guide Dog Users'" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolutionon changestohave
> certification for service dogs
>
>
>> Hi Peter,
>>
>> I hear you,
> there are agencies that will certify a self trained service dog. They must
> go through a series of tests, to get there legal certification.
>> Yes I also agree with a stiffer $$$$  penalty, that would help.  If
>> someone gets a  ticket while driving and  if you don’t pay they do catch
>> up with you and take you to jail!
>> I have a Ma Senator & a Federal DA writing up something on this matter,
>> for my meeting with a local Senator, that has agreed this is a real
>> problem and would like to speak with me.
>> We will see what happens, it takes a lot to get a Bill on the floor.
>>
>>        Warm Regards, Janet
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Flagdu [mailto:flagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
>> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 11:50 AM
>> To: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolution on changestohave
>> certification for service dogs
>>
>> Patricia, Janet,
>> Pat as you said the general public is taking advantage of the law.
>> Not to long ago I was shopping for groceries.
>> This woman was in the store with her toy poodle. According to her the dog
>> helped her with stress. Here I am with a trained guide dog, in harness
>> helping me with my mobility.
>> So I asked her where was her dog trained. Oh he isn't trained; he is just
>> my pet dog that helps me.
>> What is next somebody bringing in an elephant so it can help them reach
>> high places?
>> I think any so called service animal has to come from an accredited
>> school.
>> Yes I'm aware you can buy documented cards on the internet that claims
>> that your turtle is a service animal.
>> The general public won't change until stronger penalties are enforced.
>> Someone suggested a five hundred dollar fine. I think that is a start.
>> Oh the person might say, the hell with paying the fine, just like many do
>> with parking tickets, Etc. What can be done about this? Any suggestions?
>> We are all blind, and are a minority. However collectively we have to
>> stand together, together with others that use service animals that are
>> authorized, trained to help that person.
>> I have no problem with showing proof that JJ is a trained Gide dog.
>> However in all the years I’ve used JJ, and my previous dogs, never have I’ve
>> been asked to show any type of proof.
>> Educating the public I think is a must.
>> I don’t know how much it costs to advertise on the radio or TV. However
>> what do you all think of a commercial stating something that it is 
>> illegal
>> to masker aid your animal as a service animal? I know the wording had to
>> be better; however I think you all get the point.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Patricia A. Lipovsky
>> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 6:03 PM
>> To: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolution on changestohave
>> certification for service dogs
>>
>> I agree Janet.  The problem with the general public is they are learning
>> they can take advantage of the law, and take their pets out into public
>> places without any recourse.  Until we can get the DOJ to revamp the law,
>> I think we should all try to educate the businesses in our own areas as 
>> to
>> what they need to watch out for, and what they fan expect from a
>> legitimately trained service animal.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Janet DeLuca" <janetsyear2010 at gmail.com>
>> To: "'Florida Association of Guide Dog Users'" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 11:33 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolution on changes tohave
>> certification for service dogs
>>
>>
>>> Hello All,
>>>
>>> I was wondering which idea you are interested in.
>>> The only 2 problems I see with sending stickers out is.
>>>  Most businesses won't uses sticker, because they shift things around a
>>> lot. (I also dated myself with time clock, since most use computers.)
>>>   Most people that get stickers, with a donation envelope end up 
>>> throwing
>>> it out. You may get  a quarter of donations that you mail.
>>> The bottom line it takes a lot to get a Bill on the floor, so until that
>>> could be done, we should think of a way of dealing with educating the
>>> public. However again restaurants have a high turnover rate.
>>>
>>>      Janet
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Flagdu [mailto:flagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Patricia A.
>>> Lipovsky
>>> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 10:01 AM
>>> To: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolution on changes to have
>>> certification for service dogs
>>>
>>> My goodness, what happened? We had such a good dialogue going, with so
>>> many
>>> expressing themselves, sharing their thoughts and ideas.  Perhaps we ran
>>> this topic into the ground?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Toni King" <tkk at samobile.net>
>>> To: <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 12:49 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] FW: [nagdu] A CCB resolution on changes to have
>>> certification for service dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>> That is a good thought and I know several  companies that would post
>>>> such a sign.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Check out my blog
>>>> www.samobile.net/users/tkk/
>>>>
>>>> Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature....
>>>> Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
>>>>   Helen Keller, The Open Door (1957)
>>>>
>>>> Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
>>>> -Roger Caras
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> .com
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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