[nagdu] Fake Service Dogs Raise Concerns

[Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)]

Why does your dad think ADA is a mistake?
I'm curious. I've heard a number of older people say this and some of them have very valid points. The main one I can remember is that most people will be just fine when faced with a person with a disability. But if they have time to think about it, they get thinking about all the work ADA may or may not require.

What are your dad's thoughts? I'm assuming he has reasons that are well thought-out?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Portia Scott
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 3:07 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake Service Dogs Raise Concerns

Hello,

If it were me, I'd be concerned about this whole fake service dog thing, as the people buying the vests aren't getting them trained. And furthermore, they aren't even going to schools that give you a service dog, either. I know my father even thinks the Americans with disabilities act is a mistake, but in my opinion, I disagree with him, lol.

Just putting my thoughts out there.

Portia.
On Jul 12, 2012, at 5:44 PM, "Ginger Kutsch" <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Fake Service Dogs Raise Concerns
>
>
>
> Legitimate Service Dog Handlers See Increase In Discrimination
>
> Jaclyn Allen, 7NEWS Reporter
>
> POSTED: 11:10 pm MDT July 11, 2012
>
> URL: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31266629/detail.html
>
>
>
> DENVER -- People who buy fake "Service Dog" vests to get their pets into
> public places are a growing concern, according to some disability rights
> groups, and they say companies selling these products are facilitating
> fraud.
>
> "I've seen several instances of this happening," said Kyle Walpole, who has
> a service dog to assist with his hearing impairment. "I have seen dogs in
> restaurants that are eating off tables and dogs taken off leash running in a
> store that people are claiming are service animals."
>
> His service dog, Matilda, had years of training with the Canine Companions
> for Independence, so Walpole said when he saw an advertisement on SkyMall
> for a $149 Service Pet ID Kit, he couldn't believe it.
>
>
>
> The company, Free My Paws, has a Facebook page with photos of service
> animals wearing vests on planes and in public places.
>
> The company does not require any proof that the animals have been trained as
> service animals.
>
> "It makes a mockery of the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Walpole.
> "And it makes it very difficult for those of us who use service animals and
> have a legitimate disability to have access to public places."
>
> The director of the Rocky Mountain ADA Center, Jana Burke, agreed, saying
> people trying to pass of their pets as service dogs is becoming a serious
> problem.
>
> "I am concerned about companies like this one that try to capitalize on
> people with disabilities by using misinformation," said Burke.
>
> Walpole said most legitimate service dogs receive vests and identification
> from the organization that trained them, while some organizations sell the
> vests but require proof of training.
>
> But the president of Free My Paws, Jason Michaels, said his company is
> providing a needed product for legitimate service animals and the law needs
> to be clarified.
>
> "We're literally caught in a catch 22," said Michaels. "We try to qualify
> people. When somebody calls in to our customer care center and clearly does
> not qualify, we're candid about it and tell them they do not qualify. But
> under the Americans with Disabilities Act, we can only ask certain
> questions, and there are no requirements or certifications for service
> animals."
>
> Walpole agreed that the law is ambiguous and said service animals groups
> have been lobbying to have the industry regulated.
>
> Until then, he said, people are becoming more and more suspicious of his
> service animal.
>
> "It gives the public a misrepresentation of what a service animal is," said
> Walpole.
>
>
>
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