[nagdu] Retired Guides; Do the same access laws apply?

[Chaim B. Segal]

Hi All on both lists:

Chaim Segal here. It looks as though I will likely need to move out of my current house in the nearly immediate future, as my mother needs to enter senior care. At present time, my current earnings are not enough to sustain rent in our current town-house. Therefore, I need to weigh my options when moving myself and my wife out into an apartment. Our current apartment manager has been gracious, and has not charged us an extra pet deposit for Keeper (my third guide) once he retired. We only pay a deposit for our cat which my wife and I purchased as a kitten around six years ago. This being said, I have been hearing conflicting information throughout the years.

At some point back in the 90s, I thought I once heard that a retired guide dog has the same access rules regarding rent and access that a currently working guide has. I was surprised to hear that. I was not considering the fact that I would need to know for sure some day.

   Earlier this year, my mother and I attempted to take both Keeper and Yahtzee (current guide) to the vet on paratransit. The driver insisted that Keeper must be in a carrier while riding the bus. Officials at Greater Dayton RTA backed her up. At the time, I did not pursue the matter, because the driver in question is uncomfortable with dogs to begin with. 

So, I now need to know one way or the other, in order to determine how many pet deposits will need to be paid. The best I could hope for is to find a place where pets are welcome without a silly deposit or fee. But, is Keeper considered a pet, or does he still have higher status despite his retirement?

Thanks!

Chaim 

Chaim B. Segal
Customer Service Representative
Sinclair Community College
E-mail: chaimsegal at sbcglobal.net

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