[nagdu] Re Resolution concerning Dog Guides

Wed Jun 30 21:37:56 UTC 2010

Linda,
    Thank you for your message. One comment I would make is that no place of 
public accommodation may impose additional requirements on a disabled person 
accompanied by a service animal than they make on any other visitor. This is 
a form of discrimination the ADA refers to as "an unequal benefit". 
Therefore, the requirement that we sign any sort of a release as a 
prerequisite to access is discriminatory.
    One of the elements of positive zookeeping is sound behavior 
modification. It is very possible to desensitize zoo animals to a variety of 
circumstances, such as squealing children, big hats, and service animals. 
Through such techniques, zoo animal behavior  can be modified so that these 
sorts of things do not create adverse behaviors in the animals.
    As you stated, some service animals may not behave well in a zoo 
environment. Under such circumstances, it is best to find alternatives to 
taking the dog!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Linda Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Re Resolution concerning Dog Guides


> Hi Elizabeth,
> There is no risk of any infections being transmitted between your dog and 
> the zoo animals - that's just a bunch of hoohy.  If an animal is sick, the 
> zoo puts it either in the infirmery or in the animal's "bedroom" to 
> recuperate.  If your dog is ill, you shouldn't bring it to the zoo.
>
> Some dogs do well in the zoo envirnment and others don't do so well. 
> That's a matter of you knowing your own dog.  All my dogs that I've 
> brought to the zoo did absolutely fine there.  The zoo animals may or may 
> not react adversly.  If an animal seems to be getting really upset at your 
> dog's presence, move on.  The one's I've seen being more upset are some of 
> the big cats and some monkeys. Most animals show curiosity because the dog 
> is something new to them. I think if more people brought their service 
> dogs to the zoo, the animals would get a bit more used to their presence 
> as they had to get used to the human presence that come and gawk at them!
>
> As far as "problem child" dogs, the zoo staff are all very aware when a 
> service dog is on the premesis. If any dog gets out of control or is 
> causing any problem, the zoo staff will ask them to leave.   When I go and 
> take Landon, I have to check in at the customer service desk and sign a 
> sheet that I can't sue them is something happens.  they then radio the 
> group of staff that wander the grounds that a service dog is present and 
> they observe from afar.  they just monitor the situation as they monitor 
> the actions of all visitors so that everyone has a nice time and the 
> animals aren't being harassed.
>
> If your dog doesn't like the envirment, by all means, don't take your dog. 
> Many zoos now have a private kennel for service dogs if you want to do 
> that. I have gone to the zoo and left my dog at home, used the kennel, or 
> broought him along - all as I felt like doing at the time.  The last time 
> I went to our zoo, I left Landon in the kennel because I wanted to visit 
> the aviary where the dog isn't allowed. In the aviaries, the birds are all 
> free and they are on the ground walking, flying around or perched nearby. 
> they could land on you if they chose.  I think they could bring out the 
> dog's chase instinct - many more birds around than we generally find on 
> our streets in the city.
>
> So, see how your dog react and make your own decision on what you do. Have 
> fun.
>
> Oh, a cute story:  One of the times I went to the zoo with my friend and I 
> had Landon with me, we stopped at a glass enclosure with a grooup of 
> macaques.  the big male was besides himself with curiosity over this 
> strange red hairy thing that didn't look like the kids that were all 
> gawking at them at the time.  He was sooooo curious! My friend said he 
> could see the wheels turning in the animal's brain - WTF iis THAT!!!!   He 
> walked around and came up close to the glass and made a funny lip smacking 
> sound with his mouth. Landon was probably wondering the same thing - 
> what's THAT!! to the macaque. My friend used to work in the zoo so he knew 
> that Landon's presence wasn't upsetting the macaque it was just very 
> curious.   this went on for awhile and then the macaque grew bored and 
> went off to do something else and we moved on. I got all this on my video.
>
> Anyway, have fun.
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Elizabeth Rene" <emrene at earthlink.net>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 8:36 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Re Resolution concerning Dog Guides
>
>
>> Does the ADA specifically require that service animals be admitted to 
>> zoos?
>>
>> I have always been taught at guide dog school that it is potentially 
>> traumatic to a guide dog to be taken inside a zoo, and potentially 
>> distressing to the captive animals  there, too, because of pheromone cues 
>> not recognizable by humans, there being too many natural predators in one 
>> place.
>>
>> I don't know where the zoological or veterinary or humane association 
>> communities  stand on this issue, but I'm surprised that guide dog access 
>> to zoos found its way into the statutory language of the ADA.
>>
>> Is denial of access to zoos specifically prohibited, or is denial of zoo 
>> access to service animals simply not exempted from the bar against 
>> discrimination re public accommodations?
>>
>> Guide dog schools teach their graduates to use good judgment for the 
>> protection of their dogs.  But who's to say what other service animal 
>> training programs do, or whether every service dog handler gives priority 
>> to his or her dog's well-being?
>>
>> I support the scope and intent of the resolution, but I wouldn't want to 
>> see criminalized a reasonable restriction on service dog access  grounded 
>> on a legitimate interest in the animal's safety.
>>
>> Elizabeth
>>
>>
>>
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>
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