[nagdu] Dogs At Work

Marion Gwizdala blind411 at verizon.net
Sun Feb 12 02:04:46 UTC 2012


Mark,
    I don't work in a traditional ofice. In fact, my office is in my home. 
However, I once did work in an office and would take my dogs harness off. If 
I needed to move around the office, I would either use a cane or, 
frequently, go without, similar to what one does at home. I knew the office 
layout very well and everyone knew I was blind.
    As for ADA protections, the harness is not what makes a service dog a 
service dog. Whether or not you have your dog in harness is irrelevant. If 
your employer has made a reasonable accommodation, the fact that your dog is 
or is not in harness doesn't change that. This is true in public places, as 
well. Your guide dog is always a service dog, whether in harness or not. 
It's training is what makes it a service dog, not it's harness. You have the 
right to be accompanied by a service dog.
    I often go for leisurely walks with my dog out of harness. I sometimes 
decide to stop at the grocery or drug store to pick something up while I am 
out and I don't concern myself with whether or not my dog is in harness. 
Furthermore, my dog has been trained to leash guide, so he will guide me 
whether in harness or not. HTH!

fraternally yours,
Marion




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 5:42 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Dogs At Work


> Hi all,
>
>
>
> Just another quick question for all you more experienced guide dog 
> handlers. When you are at work, do you leave your dog in harness, or do 
> you take your dog's harness off. I'm talking about when you are sitting at 
> a desk and not moving around.
>
>
>
> I work two 8 hour shifts a week and I take my dog out of harness, because 
> I am sitting at a desk the entire time, and I think it is unnecessary for 
> your dog to be in harness when he is just sitting quietly under your 
> desk...
>
>
>
> Another part of this question. What is the legal answer? There is 
> obviously a "no pets" policy at my work. Am I still covered by the ADA and 
> other such laws if I remove the harness once at my desk?
>
>
>
> No one has complained, but with my luck it is only a matter of time.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>
>
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