[Oagdu] Saw this on the news.

Tue Jul 28 19:54:10 UTC 2015

Angel, dogs perform many services other than guiding people who are
blind and they are covered under ADA.  This woman is taking advantage
of something because an assistance or emotional support animal is
totally different than a service animal.

We are working to change the law in Ohio to prevent these types of
animals from getting into businesses. Then, we will need to work with
businesses, law enforcement and other agencies to provide education.

On 7/28/15, Angel via Oagdu <oagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> There is a difference between a totally blind person, with no possible way
> for medical science to restore the sight of that individual and a sighted
> person with "emotional, or "anxiety" issues.  If treated properly, such
> "emotional" or "anxiety" issues can be corrected.   To put them both in the
> same category does us blind people who use dogs or horses to guide us a
> severe disservice.  Because laws putting all those with challenges together,
> allows a lot of room for the allowance of any sort of animal in to
> establishments.  Not to mention the sorrow I feel for the poor bird.  Who is
> diapered, and who is forced to wear a leech.  I had a dog guide in the 70's,
> and attempted to make her wear footwear in winter.  Because of icy
> conditions, and road salt.  The dog had no idea of the importance of such
> restriction, and fought the restraint  all   the way.  Heavens, I don't even
> wear shoes.  Save in extreme weather.  Where is PETA when they are needed.
> To fight for the poor birds right not to have to be subjected to such
> humiliation as this.  My feeling that guide dogs shouldn't have as free
> access as they do, if we totally blind travelers had a choice would be the
> same as I feel for this silly woman's request .  But, for many of us a dog
> guide or Guide horse is the only choice available to us.  If we want to
> travel independently of sighted assistance.  There is no medical model to
> correct our vision loss.  For those maintaining their tractable pets are
> service animals, and ought to avail themselves of the same privileges as
> have we blind patrons to take our dogs where we choose, in my opinion, is
> specious.   People as are these are just piggybacking on the privilege, for
> which we have fought long and hard. This does them a disservice as well.  As
> doing so might be also depriving themselves of much needed psychological
> treatment.  Simply because they don't want to leave their service frog,
> monkey, bird, or whatever other animal suits their fancy at home.  Where it
> belongs.  I know, I don't want to share any public space with an animal
> other than a guide dog or horse.  Whose schools name isn't written on its
> harness.  Any more than I would want to give out my private information to a
> policeman without proper credentials.
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Deanna Lewis via Oagdu
>   To: Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users List
>   Cc: Deanna Lewis
>   Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 9:10 AM
>   Subject: [Oagdu] Saw this on the news.
>
>
>   Good morning,
>
>   This was on the News last night and I thought you all may find it
> interesting. My comments are at the bottom, following the article.
>
>
>
>   MAINEVILLE, Ohio -- A woman with a registered service bird was asked to
> leave a Kroger store this past weekend -- and the moment was caught on
> video.
>
>   The bird, a registered service animal named Cooper, has been in the store
> before with no problem, GeeGee Jackson said.
>
>
>
>   Jackson, who is known as "the bird lady" around Maineville and South
> Lebanon, said a store employee asked her to leave the Kroger on SR 48 in
> Maineville Sunday. She said the manager told her the bird wasn't allowed.
>
>   She said she needs the bird with her to help her cope with depression and
> anxiety. The bird, a cockatoo, is a nationally registered service animal.
>
>   Cooper travels everywhere with Jackson, mostly around town, often
> traveling by moped. In public, she puts a diaper on the bird to prevent any
> messes and keeps him on a leash, she said.
>
>   Jackson said she's shopped in the same store with her bird in the past
> with permission from employees.
>
>   Kimbery Hibbler was shopping on Sunday and shot video of the incident.
>
>   "I felt horrible for her," Hibbler said. "I felt like something needed to
> be done."
>
>   A Kroger spokesperson told WCPO store officials do not have to let the
> bird inside under federal law.
>
>   The spokesperson said Kroger follows the Americans with Disabilities Act's
> regulations on service animals. According to the ADA, only dogs can be
> service animals. Cooper the bird is registered but is technically an
> emotional support animal.
>
>   But Jackson said Kroger's policy is not fair and she wants the company to
> reconsider.
>
>   "Not everybody can have a service dog," she said. "There are other animals
> out there that can do the same thing a dog does."
>
>
>
>   My comments: I say, way to go Kroger for following the ADA regulations!
> Although, they should have mentioned that miniature horses are also covered
> under the ADA.
>
>   Speaking of the ADA, I participated in a 25th Anniversary ADA celebration
> yesterday. I wrote a poem and won first place, I had the honor of reading my
> poem in front of everyone at the event. I would say there were 150 people at
> least. I also was interviewed by the news and had my poem published in the
> Cincinnati Enquirer. It was a very good event, and I met with some people
> and did get to pass out a few Oagdu cards.
>
>
>
>   Deanna
>
>
>
> --
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>
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>
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>
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053