[NAGDU] In-depth: Why some feel it's OK to have comfort pets in public

Fri Apr 27 15:29:38 UTC 2018

The first thing this newscast says is that guide dogs and ESA's are both comfort animals.  Wrong!!!
Though I think guide dog schools are somewhat to blame for this impression, with some of their PR that I think of as "a companion in my lonely darkness."  Last I heard, the GDB logo is a person with their arm around their dog, which to me doesn't show the real purpose of the dog at all.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 8:45 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Ginger Kutsch
Subject: [NAGDU] In-depth: Why some feel it's OK to have comfort pets in public

In-depth: Why some feel it's OK to have comfort pets in public

By: Michelle Kingston 

Video at http://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/in-depth-why-some-feel-its-ok-to-have-comfort-pets-in-public/1145167813

Theresa and Dana both say their dogs provide them critical care.

One, who is visually impaired, has a service dog that helps guide her around town.

The other says she suffers from depression and needs her dog to reduce her anxiety.

On Thursday night, KRON4 goes in-depth to explore why both women feel they have a right to have their comfort pets in public.

Wills is an adorable yellow lab, Theresa Stern's best friend and guide dog.

Stern is visually impaired.

"Having a guide dog is life changing," Stern said. "It is so hard to explain. It's like asking someone who is sighted what it is like for them to have their eyes."

Wills went through months of training at the Guide Dogs for the Blind in order to care for, guide, and protect Theresa.

"He, he is amazing," Stern said. "He helps me live my life in the way that I want to live my life. I feel comfortable and confident getting out in the world."

Dana Valladares feels the same way about her dog--but she's not blind.

"All I did was just fill out like an easy 5-minute application," Valladares said.

Dana bought Tazz last year, went online, and a couple of clicks and dollars later, he became a certified emotional support dog with no training, no doctor's note, and very little effort, joining a group of animals--like the pig, duck, and squirrel we've seen on social media--that can now fly on a plane for free in the cabin.

"I carry him in a little purse so whenever something, I'm getting a little shaky and everything, I'll just go to pet him, and then it'll just calm my nerves instantly," Valladares said.

The easy websites, and the people who are taking advantage of them, are what Theresa says is making her life more difficult

"It's starting to really affect the way that we get out in the world because of the sort of suspicion that comes with having a real service dog because of all the phony ones," Stern said. "People will come up to me and say, 'Is that really a service dog? Are you really blind?'"

Dana says Tazz helps her deal with her depression and anxiety--and that she didn't register him just so she can take him everywhere she goes, although that is a benefit.

"Me and him we are inseparable," Valladares said. "It's to the point where we don't know who needs who more."

While Theresa does believe there are some people who really need emotional support animals, she is fearful of how many people are registering their animals fraudulently who could put her dog--a fully qualified service animal--and herself, in danger.

"I think they need to look inside themselves and think about what they're doing and think about if they are willing to lie about something as profound as having a disability, so they can bring their pet with them and not have to pay a fee knowing that that can really inhibit the independence of people who rely on those," Stern said. "You know, what's next?"

So, how easy is it to register your dog as an emotional support animal? And does any breed, size or, behavior qualify?

You can find out Friday night on KRON4 News at 10 p.m.

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