[nagdu] Are we in search of a solution without a problem?

[Howard J. Levine]

I agree with this post Howard and Rhett.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aaron Cannon
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2013 8:45 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Are we in search of a solution without a problem?

Hi all.

The recent petition from CCI that was forwarded to this list made some
assertions:

"When untrained pet dogs are somewhere they shouldn't be, it can create all
kinds of problems that make business owners think twice before allowing the
same access to legitimate service dogs and the people who need them.

"This outrageous and potentially dangerous fraud only adds to the
discrimination often faced by people with disabilities who actually need
assistance dogs.

"Legitimate service dogs require years of expert training to perform
specific commands like picking up dropped items and opening doors that
benefit people with disabilities - many of them U.S. veterans who are
injured while fighting for this country. These dogs provide calm, reliable
assistance to their human partners and help them live more independently.

"Now is the time to crack down on service dog fraud and end the online sale
of fake service dog certification products. Please don't allow the benefits
of a service dog to be taken away from people who need them."


First, has anyone actually seen some evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that
this is as big a problem as they claim it is?  Has anyone been denied access
because someone else used a fake ID card?  Honestly curious, as I have no
information either way.

Second, (and now I am being a bit sarcastic) did anyone's dog receive a few
years of expert training?  Did it concern you that your dog took over 6
times longer to train than the average?  What sorts of amazing things can
your dog do with all that expert training?

Third, does anyone else get a bit suspicious when people or organizations
start appealing to "think of the children" or "think of the service men and
women" arguments to make their case?

Fourth, has anyone seen anything that might indicate that the benefits of
service dogs are in danger of being taken away from "those who need them"?

There are other issues with this petition which I'll address in another
email, but in short, I'd think carefully before signing.

Aaron

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