[nagdu] Questionable web site

Fri Jun 19 21:19:00 UTC 2009

Hi Julie,
Yes, the guide dog programs all give a picture ID. they take a picture of 
you and your dog while you are at the school.  On the card with the picture, 
it says, "Official Identification".  Then it says, "___ (fill in the 
handler's name) and (Guide Dog) (school program dog) _________ (fill in 
dog's name) are graduates of __________(fill in school name).  This card is 
not transferable".  Then there's a signature of an official of that guide 
dog school and an expiration date.  When the card expires, the program just 
sends you a new one with the same picture of you and your dog that they have 
on file from the original card.  On the back of the card, it just states 
that the dog and handler are protected by law to have public access. Then 
there is usually a school logo with an address and phone number should the 
card get lost and someone wants to turn it in.  This card info is pretty 
standard to guide dog program IDs.

I have never seen the cards that people fake or the ones they get on the 
Internet.  The ADA does tell us that we don't have to show these cards. 
But, to get the discounts from veterinarians, they may ask for an ID to 
"prove" the dog's legitimate position as guide or service dog. We have to 
have this to get our dog license for free and the service dog tag (optional) 
from the County of San Diego.  Our County Animal Control is where wwe get 
our licenses and Service Dog Tag.

I have the tag so if my dog shoould get lost it would be easy for him to be 
identified as a service dog and Animal Control could locate me through the 
ID number on it.  But, the tag is optional and in no way affects our access.

Those who owner train, what do you use as an ID to get your license free - 
or do you just pay the fees people would pay for a pet?

HTH

Linda and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questionable web site

> Unethical perhaps. Illegal, I don't think so.
>
> There are several places that I have found on the internet where you can 
> purchase an ID card for much cheaper.  Most are in the $20 to $50 range. 
> Some have information that is legally accurate about what exactly the card 
> is and what it can and can't do.  Others just sell the cards without any 
> questions or explanations.  If people want to they could make an ID card 
> at home with a digital camera, a printer that does photos, some plastic 
> laminate )available at Walmart) and an iron.
>
> Out of curiosity do the ID cards from guide dog programs have a picture of 
> the dog, the person or both?
>
> Julie
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Angie Matney" <angie.matney at gmail.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 12:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questionable web site
>
>
>> Hi Julie,
>>
>> I can see the appeal of having an ID card, too. I just think that $365 
>> might
>> be a little much to pay, particularly when people might be misled into
>> thinking they will get more legal "support" than this firm would provide.
>> The existence of the "agreement" on the order page doesn't really allay 
>> my
>> fears. If there is trouble, all the organization has to do is state that, 
>> to
>> the best of their knowledge, a particular dog was a service animal. The
>> person with the spurious animal might be in legal trouble, but I don't 
>> know
>> that there is a law forbidding people from providing materials to 
>> "service
>> animals."
>>
>> They mention in their FAQ that some organizations do extensive testing
>> before certifying a dog, but this organization does *nothing,* except
>> collect $365. I recognize that having some sort of "test" presents all 
>> sorts
>> of problems (that's why we don't now have national certification for 
>> service
>> animals). But this site, with its domain "bring your dog anywhere dot 
>> com,"
>> makes me nervous. Maybe their intentions are good, but it looks 
>> suspicious
>> to me.
>>
>> On Jun 19, 2009, at 9:57 AM, Julie J wrote:
>>
>>> You know I didn't even register a difference!  I suppose that's what
>>> they are hoping.  That could be a problem.
>>>
>>> I still think in regard to the certification etc. that it's okay.
>>> They aren't saying that your dog has to be certified, only that
>>> becoming certified with them has advantages.  As an owner trainer I
>>> can see the appeal of having an ID card and the name of a law firm
>>> that businesses can call with access questions.   I don't have an ID
>>> card and have no intention of acquiring one because it's not
>>> required.  However, I can definitely see how some people might want
>>> to have that as a back up plan.
>>>
>>> JMHO
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Matney" 
>>> <angie.matney at gmail.com
>>> >
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 10:30 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questionable web site
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Julie,
>>>>
>>>> Actually, they mention legal *support,* not legal representation. I
>>>> am
>>>> looking, but I cannot find the information identifying this Beverly
>>>> Hills
>>>> firm. This looks suspicious to me. (Attorneys from such a firm could
>>>> certainly represent people in other jurisdictions in some
>>>> instances, but I
>>>> would imagine the extent of the "support" might be a form letter.)
>>>>
>>>> It is possible that I am wrong. It just looks a bit odd to me.
>>>>
>>>> Angie
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of Julie J
>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:13 PM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questionable web site
>>>>
>>>> I just checked out this site and honestly it seems legitimate  to me.
>>>> On the service dogs information page they clearly state that
>>>> certification
>>>> is not required.   They are selling equipment like many other
>>>> places on the
>>>> internet do.  In addition they are offering a physician
>>>> consultation and
>>>> legal representation.
>>>>
>>>> The fact that they are asking for people to state that they have a
>>>> disability, explaining the legal issues surrounding service animals
>>>> and
>>>> requiring that you submit an agreement that could probably be used
>>>> in court
>>>> says to me that they are being responsible.
>>>>
>>>> There are numerous places on the internet to purchase capes,
>>>> patches and
>>>> bandanas that say "service dog" with absolutely no questions
>>>> whatsoever.
>>>> This site does not appear to be one of them.
>>>>
>>>> JMHO of course
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Matney" 
>>>> <angie.matney at gmail.com
>>
>>>> >
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>> Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:47 PM
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Questionable web site
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Someone sent this link to me. The site purports to "certify" that
>>>>> your dog
>>>>> is a service dog for $365. It also implies that you will receive
>>>>> "support"
>>>>> frmo a Beverly Hills law firm if you encounter problems.  The site
>>>>> does
>>>>> ask
>>>>> that people specify they have a disability, but all that is
>>>>> required is
>>>>> that
>>>>> the persno check a box.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.bringyourdoganywhere.com/index.php
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Maybe the NAGDU site could incorporate a statement warning people
>>>>> against
>>>>> places that offer to certify their service dogs in such a manner.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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