[NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

[S L Johnson]

    Marion:

It is no wonder that the animal control and municipality are confused.  Most
of them do not even understand the laws for guide dogs.  I do not agree with
using mini horses as guides but I respect the rights of others to do it if
they want.  I have heard of miniature horses being used for emotional and 
physical disabilities However, you have to
consider that it is a horse so therefore it requires the proper structure
and pasture land for grazing and exercise.  Most of the people using mini
horses do live out in the country where there is plenty of land.  Living
within town limits does force a person to have the proper accommodations for
their animal whether or not it is a service animal. This person might
consider seeking some legal expertise from an attorney as well as someone
who is an expert on the care of the miniature horse.   All local, state and
federal regulations and laws need to be considered in this case.  This
situation is dealing with the municipality claiming that they do not have
the proper amount of land to accommodate the miniature horse.  That is
complicated by the fact that this is a service animal.  It is possible that
there are no laws specific enough to deal with this combination of facts.
The municipality is only doing their job by ensuring that all animals are
taken care of properly and that includes service animals.  We all know this
because we still have access issues with our guide dogs.  The laws need to
catch up with us.  Miniature horses are not very common so the laws have not
caught up with the current trends in service animals.  In my internet search
I have not found any information to clarify this issue.  However, if this
trend of using miniature horses are going to be used as service animals it
is a good idea for all mini horse handlers as well as NAGDU to get involved
so that maybe new regulations and laws can be developed.  It might be 
necessary for new legeslation to be passed to resolve this issue.

------Original Message----- 
From: NAGDU President via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2018 9:27 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: NAGDU President
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

Cindy,

When we receive calls from those asking us for our assistance,the
approach of those who staff the hotline is to first offer guidance to the
individual to help them be their own advocate. This goes a long way to
empowering the individual to do so in other cases, as well. As service
animal users, I believe we have the responsibility to ourselves and our
colleagues to help the public understand these issues. This understanding
helps us be better self-advocates and will, in the long run, make our ways
smoother in the future, if not for ourselves directly but for those who will
come behind us!

This case has applications beyond the specifics of this one
incident. Understanding this will help us be more informed and better
members of the NFB and NAGDU!

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
Follow us on Twitter
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 Cindy Ray via
NAGDU
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 8:54 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

People, Marion is asking us to do this that we might become more familiar
with the law and so that we can have an intelligent, well-thought out
discussion on the topic. I hope that some of us will take time out of our
busy lives to look up the information. The guide horse has been
controversial, so it would be well for us to know what the conclusions have
been in the end. I will look it up soon; maybe not today. But I think it is
important for us to have this discussion.
Cindy Lou Ray, Moderator
cindyray at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of sonfire11--- via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 5:14 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sonfire11 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

I don't have time for citations either. However, try looking something up in
the fair housing act. It might give some recourse on the subject.


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Roger Newell via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 11:29 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Roger Newell <inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

I do not have the time to find citations, but I will simply state the
following:

Guide dogs are permitted in many places where dogs who are not service
animals are not allowed. This is due to the guide dog being a service
animal. It would seem to me that a similar situation would exist for a horse
that is acting as a service animal.

On 3/5/18, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dear All,
>
>
>
>                 As members of the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users, we are often asked to weigh in on advocacy issues that have a
> real effect on individual's ability to live the life they want. The
> recent issue with Delta Airlines is a demonstration of why the
> National Federation of the Blind chose to charter the National
> Association of Guide Dog Users to act as an authoritative,
> representative voice of the nation's guide dog users.
>
>
>
>                 I recently had the opportunity to help another member
> who needed immediate assistance. This member lives in Baltimore
> County, Maryland and uses a miniature guide horse. Baltimore County
> has a zoning ordinance that prohibits anyone with less than 2 acres to
> keep a horse. An animal control officer was at this person's home to
> investigate a complaint that the individual was keeping a horse on
> their property of less than 2 acres.
> The animal control officer was advised that the horse was a service
> animal but the officer was unsure of what, if any, bearing this had on
> the
issue.
> If you were asked to comment on this issue, what would be your guidance.
> Please take the time to research this question and provide source
> citations for your position.
>
>
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
> 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 <http://nagdu.org/>
>
> Follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/nagdu>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/inscriptioelectroni
> caaustralia%40gmail.com
>

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