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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Park Service is seeking public comment through June 17<sup>th</sup> on a proposed rule to revise regulations governing service animals in national parks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The direct link to the proposed regulations can be found at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NPS-2014-0002-0001<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Although federal agencies are not governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the NPS policy is to align its regulations with the ADA and make NPS facilities, programs, and services accessible to and usable by as many people as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The proposed rule would define a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for persons with disabilities. The work or tasks a service animal is trained to perform must be directly related to the person’s disability. Other species of animals would not be considered service animals, but park superintendents would have the authority to allow the use of miniature horses by individuals with disabilities when appropriate, depending on the type, size, and weight of the horse.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The proposed rule also describes the circumstances under which service animals would be allowed in a park area. The proposed rule also states that:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"After consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service's Wildlife Health Branch on the serious potential for disease transmission between service animals and wildlife, the NPS has determined that a superintendent may use this authority to require individuals wishing to bring a service animal into an area where the service animal is likely to pose a threat to the health of wildlife to demonstrate proof of the service animal's current vaccinations for diseases such as, but not limited to, rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus, and proof of current treatment for intestinal parasites and heart worms. An individual could demonstrate proof by showing a copy of a veterinarian bill for the required vaccines and treatments, a state-issued rabies tag, and/or a state health certificate, provided that the state vaccination requirements for the state health certificate mirror those established by the superintendent."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Another part of the proposed rule states:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“To protect park resources and the safety of visitors, the proposed rule would subject the use of service animals to certain standard rules that also govern pets. Service animals may not be left unattended, may not make unreasonable noise or exhibit aggressive behavior, and handlers must comply with excrement disposal conditions established by the superintendent.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the proposed regulations for vaccine requirements and the restriction on leaving service animals unattended. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ginger<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>