[Ohio-talk] service animals

[Barbara Shaidnagle]

I am concerned at times about an animal designated as a service animal
especially when they are not wearing a jacket, merely accompanying the
person.  And I  told one person at the airport in Bham a year ago, "you are
what gives guide dogs a bad name..."

DEAR ABBY: Yesterday I was in a retail store with my service dog. The clerk
asked me what kind of service dog she was and I replied, She's my service
dog. She kept pressing me as to exactly why I have one, so I asked her if
she was inquiring about my disability. When she said, Yes, I politely
informed her that federal HIPAA laws protect my right to privacy. She then
said -- loud enough for everyone in the store to hear -- I don't know what
the big deal is. I just want to know what the dog does for you.

Please let your readers know how to be around a person and their service
animal:

1. You do *not* have the right to ask about the person's disability. To do
so is rude. Most people prefer strangers not know their medical condition.
The dog may be for PTSD, a hearing or seeing dog, or to alert the person to
a medical emergency.

2. Children (and adults) need to understand that when service animals'
jackets go on, the dogs know it's time to go to work, and they take their
job seriously. At that point, they are not pets and should not be treated
as such. If a child rushes a service dog, the animal may react badly
because it is there to protect its person.

3. You may ask to pet the dog, but don't assume it will be allowed. If
given permission, the dog should be scratched under the chin *only*.

Service animals know their place. It's a shame that most people are not as
polite. -- NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS

DEAR N.O.Y.B.: Thank you for sharing this information. According to the
Americans With Disabilities Act website (ada.gov): Businesses may ask if an
animal is a service animal or ask what tasks the animal has been trained to
perform, but cannot require special ID cards for the animal or ask about
the person's disability.


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DeColores
Barbara