[Njagdu] Central Florida Animal Service organizations angered over online vest controversy

[Ginger Kutsch]

Central Florida Animal Service organizations angered over online vest
controversy

Groups say easily obtained animal service vests are growing concern

Author: Janelle Jordan, Reporter, jjordan at wkmg.com

Published On: May 29 2013 06:51:11 PM EDT Updated On: May 30 2013 06:09:01
AM EDTURL:
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/central-florida-animal-service-organization
s-angered-over-online-vest-controversy/-/1637132/20349164/-/m54icwz/-/index.
html

ORANGE CITY, Fla. -  Some Central Florida animal service organizations are
upset over just how easy it has become to get animal service vest online.

 

One organization getting a lot of attention for selling online service
animal patches and vests is "Free My Paws."

 

Free My Paws President Jason Michaels tells Local 6 they are limited in the
types of questions they can ask on their website, to determine whether an
animal is really a service animal.

 

"Our product is only intended to be used by people who are legally
qualified. We welcome any legislation that would clarify the definition of a
service animal for the disabled and the businesses who serve them," said
Michaels.

 

It's become a growing concern for local service organizations like New
Horizons Service Dogs in Orange City.

 

"It's an embarrassment, it gives organizations such as ours a bad name,"
said New Horizons founder Janet Severt.

 

Severt says the controversy is having a negative impact on individuals who
need their service animals to be allowed into places that most pets can't
go.

 

"I've had people come up to my clients and say, 'you can't bring that dog in
here, because yesterday there was a yappy thing in there that someone is
claiming is a service dog, that isn't,'" she said.

 

Both sides agree the laws in place protecting the disabled aren't clear
enough to avoid abuse, leaving online buyers to purchase, based on the honor
system.

 

"It's hard because there is no certification process," said Severt.  "It
gives the who industry, the good people and the people trying to do it
right, a bad name."

 

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