[nagdu] certification

[Jenine Stanley]

I am vehement ally opposed to certification on the national level for the
following reasons. 

Marion's logic is perfect to explain why in that in terms of the ADA, our
dogs are viewed exactly the same as wheelchairs, crutches or prosthetic
devices. 

Besides, what would you certify, the dog, the handler or the team? 

If you were to institute a national certification program, it would have to
cover everyone who uses a service animal, whether trained by an organization
or owner trained, and for the certification to be truly effective it would
need to be periodically renewed like a driver's license. 

I've seen my share of school trained teams that were less than ideal, from
every school, and yes, some who should not have been working. I'd wager
folks thought my Lab/Poodle, Molly, shouldn't have been working her last
year with me due to her fear based aggression. 

So, are you prepared to take that annual licensing exam? What would it
consist of? 
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com