[NAGDU] GDB Announcement - CA Assembly Bill 468

Thu Mar 18 21:36:19 UTC 2021

I completely agree that programs should be using terminology that makes it clear people have rights, not dogs. I’m also waiting for the day that US programs will stop saying guide and service dogs like guide dogs are not in fact service dogs, as well as the day they will stop saying assistance dog instead of service dog. OK, that wasn’t totally related either.
Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that this bill is targeting the sale of service dog and emotional support dog identification papers/cards, not service dog or emotional support dog gear. Any laws that restrict companies from selling service dog gear would not be reasonable because it would prevent owner trainers from obtaining gear without a hassle, as well as program handlers who want something different than what the program offers. That being said, targeting companies that blatantly advertise that they are selling you some thing that will allow you to misrepresent your pet as a service dog or emotional support dog to take them into places where pets are not allowed seems reasonable to me. After all, they are encouraging people to break the law. Of course, people can buy vests/harnesses for the dogs and take pets in public, but I personally feel like selling someone an ID card with the promise that it’s certifies their dog as a service dog is particularly putting some responsibility on the company. i’m not sure of the legality of preventing people from selling service dog identification since it legally has no meaning; however, I think there might be a case for the sale of emotional support dog certification. A mental health professional is in a sense prescribing an emotional support dog as a treatment, and prescribing a treatment to someone without having a history with the patient starts to get ethically questionable.
Danielle

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 18, 2021, at 4:29 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jodi, why do you think the companies should get off free for having sold the d
> documents. They are frauds.
> Cindy
> Cindyray at gmail.com <mailto:yray at gmail.com>
> 
>> On Mar 18, 2021, at 8:55 AM, Jody ianuzzi via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> The problem is not the companies selling the emotional support dog merchandise, the problem is the people who buy it and pass off their dogs as service dogs. Define should not be against the companies selling the products but rather the people who buy them and then use them
>> JODY
>> To Boldly Go  🖖🏻
>> thunderwalker321 at gmail.com
>> "What's within you is stronger than what's in your way."  NO BARRIERS  Erik Weihenmayer
>>>> On Mar 18, 2021, at 12:01 AM, Lilian Scaife via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> FYI
>>> Ls
>>> From: Theresa Stern <tstern at guidedogs.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 4:09 PM
>>> Subject: GDB Announcement - CA Assembly Bill 468
>>> Show your support for AB 468
>>> Email not displaying correctly?
>>> <https://communications.guidedogs.com/webmail/896181/75578210/9c3eb8136e9c51b0992d3f9690aaca2e85e4f314236c10a722f86d8bed891ec1> View it in your browser.
>>> <https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/2021-03-16/dpyp/75578210?h=B-YK1KwQu5Jan1rcoAfCHRHofcc5DBQQ6ByTGKjEZgY>
>>> GDB Announcement
>>> Greetings California GDB Alumni!
>>> We’re excited to share good news about our efforts to curb the sale of online certificates for emotional support animals.   The California Assembly Bill AB468 has been filed on our behalf by Assemblymember Laura Friedman.  This is an exciting first step in the process.  Now we need your help to encourage California state legislators to support it.
>>> You can read the full text of the bill and follow its progress at the following link:
>>> <https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/t-xhtml-bill-id-202120220AB468/dpyr/75578210?h=B-YK1KwQu5Jan1rcoAfCHRHofcc5DBQQ6ByTGKjEZgY> https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/t-xhtml-bill-id-202120220AB468/dpyr/75578210?h=B-YK1KwQu5Jan1rcoAfCHRHofcc5DBQQ6ByTGKjEZgY
>>> What the bill is about:
>>> AB468 is designed to address the growing online sale of fraudulent service animal certificates by unscrupulous opportunists. These certificates are sold to consumers with promises of giving their pets public access equal to that of legitimate service dogs.  In addition to cheating people out of their money, these misleading business practices have also resulted in putting innocent, untrained animals in uncomfortable, scary, and even dangerous situations.  Unfortunately, legitimate service dogs as well as innocent bystanders have also been hurt by these untrained animals.  GDB is sponsoring this bill to protect guide dogs’ public access rights and ensure long and productive partnerships for our guide teams.
>>> How to help:                                      
>>> Email your Assemblymember urging them to vote yes on AB468.  You can find your Assemblymember and their contact info by using the following link:  <https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/2021-03-16/dpyt/75578210?h=B-YK1KwQu5Jan1rcoAfCHRHofcc5DBQQ6ByTGKjEZgY> https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/2021-03-16/dpyt/75578210?h=B-YK1KwQu5Jan1rcoAfCHRHofcc5DBQQ6ByTGKjEZgY
>>> Also consider encouraging your family and friends who live in California to support this effort.  Feel free to contact GDB Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Rabih Dow, with questions or comments about the bill,   <mailto:rdow at guidedogs.com> rdow at guidedogs.com
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