[nagdu] assisted living complex requesting documentation

[Nicole Torcolini]

Rebecca,

	First, the situation which you describe is governed by the ADA under
which no type of certification is required, so your point, at least for that
situation, is not valid. We were discussing the FHA. Second, when you do
have to provide some sort of proof that it is a service dog, there are
always going to be those people who are going to try to sneak through pets,
and there are always going to be those people who, for whatever, want to
make hell for people with service animals. We've already been round and
round with why i.d. cards are not a valid option. If you cannot remember,
then you can look it up in the archives. I am kind of okay with the note
from a doctor, but more so for disabilities that are not obvious, such as
PTSD or seizures. Yes, someone might question how well a dog is guiding,
but, usually, common sense can get them to understand. Asking things like,
"Would you, as a human or if you were a dog, do what you are expecting my
dog to do?" and "Do you really think that dogs are absolutely perfect?"
If housing is so worried about fake service animals, then they should have a
penalty for passing a pet off as a service dog. Furthermore, to the best of
my knowledge, even though service dogs are allowed where pets are not and
pet fees are waved, a service dog owner still has to pay for any damage that
a service dog causes.
Finally, I would not get the school involved except as a last resort. We are
adults, and we should be able to stand up for our rights. If we always use
the school, people will never trust us.

Nicole and Lexia

-----Original Message-----
From: Star Gazer [mailto:pickrellrebecca at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 8:44 AM
To: 'Nicole Torcolini'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'
Subject: RE: [nagdu] assisted living complex requesting documentation

		I don't know, I'd not want to be happily drinking a cup of
coffee at a coffeeshop, and have someone say "You, stand up and demonstrate
to me that your dog can really guide". 
And then too, who would determine that the dog really guided? If the person
forcing the demo is bound and determine to say "What? That dog didn't leap
over a tall building and take you three blocks over to avoid the
construction?" or "That dog looked confused and paused before guiding you
through those traffic cones... it can't be a "real" guide dog" 
You'd have the same issues with showing a card only way more subjective.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nicole Torcolini
via nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 12:14 AM
To: 'Marion Gwizdala'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'; starmy22 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [nagdu] assisted living complex requesting documentation

Would it not be enough, if it is blatantly  obvious that the person has a
disability and the dog can perform the service at any time, for the person
to give a demonstration of the dog working? JMHO, this is more legitimate
proof that a dog is a service dog than any i.d. card or even note from a
doctor. If you have to choose between the i.d. card and the note from the
doctor, even if you do have an i.d. card, I would strongly suggest the note
from the doctor as using the card continues to spread the misconception that
service dogs are "certified".
As per the topic of service dog "certification", for the people who are
somewhat new to the list, in summary, there is no such thing as
certification. Some of the schools give cards, but this does not help
matters as there is the double problem that people can buy/make fake cards
for their pets and owner trainers do not have the cards.

Nicole and Lexia

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala
via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 9:16 AM
To: starmy22 at gmail.com; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] assisted living complex requesting documentation

John,
	Housing accommodation are governed by the Fair Housing Act under the
joint jurisdiction of the Departments of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Housing accommodation are required to
make reasonable accommodation to allow residents to keep their service
animals in their residents. Service animals are more broadly defined under
the FHA; however, residents can be required to request an accommodation and
demonstrate that the animal mitigates the effects of a disability. This can
be done by the presentation of an I.D. card or by a letter from a treating
health care professional, such as a physician or mental health professional.
I have attached more information concerning this to this message.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala




-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of starmy22--- via
nagdu
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 11:38 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] assisted living complex requesting documentation

Hi my name is John Sanders.
I have a question: I live in aissted living apartment complex.
The apartment told me that they want documentation on the guide dog and
where it came from.
Can apartment complexes request documentation on the dog, telling them where
the dog came from and whatthe dog's purpose is?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
John Sanders
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