[Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!

Mon Nov 29 17:57:59 UTC 2010

The SSA may have this as a policy, but the ADA says that you don't need to 
carry proof.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; "Sherri" 
<flmom2006 at gmail.com>; "sheila" <sayoung125 at att.net>
Cc: <FRG-BVA at yahoogroups.com>; "Ralph Ingram" <ralphingram99 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!


> Dear Kirk,
>
> I believe that you are wrong in this one area of your presentation.
> You do not, under the ADA have to carry or show anything to anyone, that 
> says that your dog is a service dog.
> Some animals are privately trained or trained by their owner/user and 
> therefore can not be certified by a recognized agency.
> These dogs are an acception and not the rule as most do come from agencies 
> such as "Seeing Eye", Southeast Guide Dog, or many of the other guide dog 
> schools.
> These dogs all have a tattoo in their ear, an imbedded RF chip in their 
> neck and a special id disk on their collar.
> By law, the only questions they can as of you are, "Is this a service 
> animal", and "What service does it perform for you."
> If they ask more than this it is a ADA violation.
> They must accept your word for it or violate the law.
> The animal does not have to perform for them or do anything else.
> Even being an employee of the TSA does not protect them from a civil 
> lawsuit if they go too far.
> Under the latest ruling from the DOJ, only dogs and Mini horses are 
> considered to be true service animals.  Emotional support animals are not 
> considered service animals but are pets.  They do not have the protection 
> of the ADA.  They must be confined to a pet carrier if small enough or to 
> the baggage storage area if too large.
>
> I am currently investigating why the TSA policy is that we, and our dogs, 
> can not be screened by walking through the full body scanners, like 
> everyone else and must and can only be cleared by the use of a pat down.
> I just want them to explain to me why my dog can not go through the 
> scanner and I can, or the lady with small children can and my dog can't.
> They just need to give me some reasons I can accept.
> Otherwise , it just gives them another way to discriminate and set us 
> aside as profoundly different than everyone else.
> If they don't have to touch me or my dog, so much the better.
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Kirk" <kvharmon54 at gmail.com>
> To: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>; "sheila" <sayoung125 at att.net>
> Cc: <FRG-BVA at yahoogroups.com>; "Ralph Ingram" <ralphingram99 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 5:56 PM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!
>
>
>> Hi my friends, I thought this was worth passing along to our friends that
>> travel and have service Dogs!
>> What To Expect If You Are Blind Or Visually Impaired And Use A Service 
>> Dog
>> If you are blind or visually impaired and use a service dog, both you and
>> your dog will have to go through screening.
>> What Choices, If Any, Do You Have in the Screening Process?
>> You will not be eligible for screening using Advanced Imaging Technology
>> (AIT).
>> You can choose to undergo Walk Through Metal Detector (WTMD) screening, 
>> or
>> request a pat-down. A pat-down may be conducted in a private screening 
>> area
>> by an officer of the same gender.
>> IF YOU AND YOUR DOG GO THROUGH THE WTMD TOGETHER AND ALARM, BOTH OF YOU 
>> WILL
>> HAVE TO UNDERGO ADDITIONAL SCREENING.
>> 1. To resolve the passenger alarm, the Transportation Security Officer 
>> (TSO)
>> will conduct a pat-down to verify that no prohibited items are present.
>> 2. Since your dog's harness most likely contains metal, the TSO will need 
>> to
>> physically inspect your dog and its belongings (collar, harness, leash,
>> backpack, vest, etc.) in order to resolve the alarm. Although the dog's
>> harness will not be removed, it and other items that s/he may be carrying
>> such as a backpack are subject to screening.
>>
>> IF YOU AND YOUR DOG WALK THOUGH THE WTMD INDIVIDUALLY AND ONE OR BOTH OF 
>> YOU
>> ALARM Additional screening will be conducted as described above on 
>> whoever
>> causes the alarm.
>>
>> WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FACILITATE THE SCREENING PROCESS
>>
>> 1. Inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you is a 
>> service
>> animal and not a pet, and carry appropriate identification to verify this
>> fact.
>>
>> 2. Inform the Security Officer how you and your dog will walk through the
>> WTMD (walking together or with the service dog walking in front or behind
>> you).
>>
>> 3. Keep control of your service animal while the TSO conducts the 
>> screening.
>>
>> WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU EXPECT
>>
>> The TSO should:
>>
>> * Offer to assist you in placing your accessible property on the x-ray 
>> belt.
>> * Provide you with verbal instructions regarding the screening process.
>> * Allow you to stay with your dog throughout the entire screening 
>> process.
>> * Allow you to go to the front of the screening line if you choose to do 
>> so.
>> * Allow you to go to the front of the line to be re-screened when you 
>> have
>> to leave the checkpoint to take your animal to a service animal relief 
>> area.
>>
>> WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
>>
>> If you leave the sterile area to relieve your dog, you will have to 
>> undergo
>> the entire screening process again. When you return to the security
>> checkpoint, however, you are entitled to move to the front of the 
>> screening
>> line to expedite the process.
>>
>> Medication for service animals is permitted through security checkpoints
>> once it has undergone x-ray or visual inspection screening. All liquids,
>> gels, or aerosols will have to undergo Liquid Container Screening.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> gdui-announce mailing list
>> gdui-announce at acb.org
>> http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/gdui-announce
>>
>>
>>
>> __._,_.___
>> Kirk Harmon
>> President & CEO
>> Florida Disabled Citizens
>> for Progress
>> P.O.Box 61794
>> Jacksonville, FL 32236
>> PH(904) 783-9896
>> Cell: (407) 473-2176
>> DAV/BVA
>> Life Member
>>
>> " TURNING HOPE INTO REALITY"
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>
>