[HumanSer] service Animals & Involuntary Hospitalization

Wed Jan 26 21:54:40 UTC 2022

Dear J.D.,

	As always, I appreciate your thoughtful input. I am seeking as much
information as possible to help craft effective policies that are based on
reason rather than emotion. You have always provided me with this and you
are greatly appreciated.

Peace!
Marion

-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of JD Townsend via
HumanSer
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:13 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List' <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: 43210 at Bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: [HumanSer] service Animals & Involuntary Hospitalization

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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