[NAGDU] Our Access, ESAs and fake service animals

[Jenine Stanley]

Actually, under the transportation provisions, and I will get a citation if wanted, as I’m sure I have one somewhere, of the ADA, FTA covered properties, such as public transit systems, *may* allow a variety of species to be used as service animals for the purposes of transport. This reg/set of regs is similar to the ACAA and is above and beyond the Title III Public Accommodations provisions and is something that transit properties *may* do but many choose to not honor and that’s fine though I suppose technically someone could say that the *may* portion is least restrictive and hence must be followed. Sorry for the lack of citation on this holiday weekend. It’s a frustrating loophole though. 

> On Dec 22, 2018, at 4:25 PM, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Sandra,
> 
> 	I would get in touch with the transportation authority's ADA officer and share the regulations with that person, asking them to work with you to help stop the abuses. Perhaps you can share that, should they refuse to carry this woman's emotional support cat and she files a complaint, they will advise her a cat is not a service animal. You may also want to share the NAGDU hotline number  (888-624-3841) and/ or the DOJ's ADA hotline number (800-514-0301) and have them ask the question about service cats. Our transportation authority has a hands-off policy for drivers, allowing them to only ask if the dog is a service dog; however, I know they would not allow a cat or any other animal unless it were caged.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
> 
> 
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
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> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Johnson via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, December 21, 2018 2:23 PM
> To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sandra Johnson
> Subject: [NAGDU] Our Access, ESAs and fake service animals
> 
> Good Afternoon:
> 
> Since we often discuss our access and the rapidly growing number of so called emotional support animals and fake service dogs I thought I would tell you of a conversation I just had with a bus driver.
> 
> The driver told me about a woman who often rides with him along with  her so called emotional support cat.  He said his company supervisor told the drivers it is becoming very confusing as to what is a legitimate service animal and what is not.  With this company Eva is the only qualified working dog registered to ride with a person with a disability.  I know she is the only guide dog in my area.   Since they do not have much experience with service animals it is more confusing to them.  I informed him that according to the most recent definition from the DOJ, a service or guide animal is a dog, not cats or anything else.  It is people like this crazy nut of a woman making it bad for all of us.  I know she can have her emotional support cat in public housing but she shouldn’t have it on public transportation or in public accommodations such as stores, banks and medical buildings.  It is no wonder people are so confused about the laws.  The driver said he and his fellow drivers are afraid to refuse to transport her because she threatens to sue them for discrimination if they do not let her ride with her cat.  
> 
> It is clear that something must be done to stop all this ridiculous nonsense of ESAs and FAKE SERVICE DOGS, IT MUST STOP NOW!!!!!  There should be very strong laws and those laws should be enforced so our right to access with our guide dogs is not compromised by all the ESA’s and FAKES!!!
> 
> Sandra and the golden Eva, who is a REAL GUIDE DOG, NOT A FAKE!
> SLJohnson25 at comcast.net
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