[HumanSer] service Animals & Involuntary Hospitalization

[43210 at Bellsouth.net]

An excellent question, but one that doesn't have a simple answer.

I am a clinical social worker and have had dog guides in the past.  At one
time I was told that I could not enter my local hospital's psychiatric
inpatient unit with my dog guide to visit with a client who I had done the
paperwork for her involuntary hospitalization.  After a number of calls a
representative from the hospital came to a NFB meeting to report that the
hospital's policies were reviewed and a service animal would be allowed to
visit in the future.  They apologized, saying that their concern was that
some hospitalized patients might have a strong reaction to a dog.

A dog guide is not an emotional support animal, although it may take on
this role.  It is, legally, a prosthesis, like a plastic replacement for a
missing leg.  However, it is, also, a living critter and has their own
needs.  The person who has been judged unable to care for himself is not
likely able to adequately care for a dog guide.  For this reason I feel
that placing the dog guide in a safe, caring place until the owner is able
to care for it would be the wisest choice.

I was hospitalized for several weeks in Japan many years ago.  My wife took
care of my service animal.  I missed my dog, but with a broken leg, I
wouldn't have been able to care for her.  We were both happy to see each
other and ready to return to our partnership. Once I returned home it was
an interesting picture of me with crutches and a dog guide walking down the
street.  


JD

-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala
via HumanSer
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 11:55 AM
To: humanser at nfbnet.org
Cc: marion.gwizdala at verizon.net
Subject: [HumanSer] service Animals & Involuntary Hospitalization

Dear All,

 

                Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP) has been asked
to develop model service animal policies concerning involuntary
hospitalization for law enforcement agencies. I have my opinion; however,
my opinion is irrelevant since I am not an attorney, a licensed mental
health professional, a law enforcement officer, nor have ever been
involuntarily hospitalized. My question concerns how you believe law
enforcement officers who are detaining a disabled individual who has a
service dog for involuntary hospitalization should deal with the dog. The
policy so far is that anyone with a service dog who is taken into custody
is given the option of either having a responsible person of their choice
take possession of the dog or, if no such person can be identified, the
individual is notified that the dog will be housed at the closest animal
shelter, veterinarian, or animal boarding facility at the detainees cost.
Service animals are generally allowed in hospital settings; however, the
extenuating circumstances of the involuntary hospitalization may be outside
the generally accepted practice the implementing regulations cover.

 

                If you respond, I would like to know your credentials, your
experience with involuntary hospitalization, and your experience with
service dogs. If you would rather reply to this message off-list, please
send your message to

 

Advocacy411 at gmail.com <mailto:Advocacy411 at gmail.com> 

 

For more information about Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP),
please visit our website

 

ServiceAnimals.info

 

With warm regards,

Marion Gwizdala

 

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