Category Archives: Articles

Emotional support cat lives with college freshman in dormitory

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junior

Taylor Petrizzo, a freshman at the Florida SouthWestern State College, had witnessed the death of her relative and close friend in 2014. Petrizzo decided to get an emotional support animal which she named Junior. Junior now lives with her in the campus dormitory.

According to Petrizzo, she had knowledge on the difference between service animals and emotional support animals since she was in high school after attending a veterinarian technician course. That was the reason why she had Junior certified as an emotional support animal. Petrizzo says that Junior helps calm her anxieties whenever she feels pressured to meet school deadlines. Not only that, Junior has also provided comfort to Petrizzo’s roommates whenever they had to deal with some of their girl issues.

Petrizzo says that Junior helps calm her anxieties whenever she feels pressured to meet school deadlines. Not only that, Junior has also provided comfort to Petrizzo’s roommates whenever they had to deal with some of their girl issues.

More schools are now allowing service animals and emotional support animals in dormitories following the 2013 federal lawsuit against the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The said university denied the request of a student to bring her emotional support animal to the dorm.

Florida SouthWestern State College allows emotional support animals but confines them to dorm facilities. The school also checks on other students living in their dorm to see whether they have any problems living with an emotional support animal. Although schools are having difficulties on implementing emotional support animal policies, they are doing their best to adhere to the law.

Article source: News-press.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Two emotional support dogs help their owners cope in school

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emotional support dog

It’s a common thing nowadays to see and hear about university students bringing their emotional support animals to school for the structure and comfort they add to their everyday lives. Two college students in Cabrini University have benefited from the company of their emotional support dogs.

Lexi & Harper, Photo courtesy: Theloquitur.com

Lexi Douglass is currently a sophomore who resides in Sullivan House. Under the ADA, she is diagnosed with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Having Harper by her side eases her stress at school. She says that Harper is able to recognize her stress by nudging her to play with him or take him outside for a walk.

Breana & Chloe, Photo courtesy: Theloquitur.com

On the other hand, Briana Capone is a junior student who lives in West Residence Hall. She has anxiety problems and Chloe helps her deal with them effectively. Capone says, “When I get home from school and it is a really really stressful day she is always just there and I can snuggle with her and she comforts me.”

Douglass and Capone are thankful that Cabrini University allows qualified students to bring their emotional support animals. Capone hopes that more students would be given the privilege to bring their assistance animals on campus.

Article source: Theloquitur.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Stray cat delights students at Stewart Hall

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furry friend

Whether an animal is a service dog or stray cat, it provides the same level of comfort to people who need them. Biola University is one of the many schools where you see stray cats roaming around the school campus. One notable stray cat has caught the attention of several students in Stewart Hall. They named the cat Stewart.

Stewart, though not an official emotional support animal, has helped comfort students with his friendly demeanor. Stewart would cuddle with the students and in return, they gave him food and blankets. According to a sophomore named Belen Lopez who also happened to reside in Stewart Hall, Stewart would often wander around the dorm and follow people which were very funny.

Lopez was concerned that Stewart would be left alone during school breaks so she started finding someone who could adopt him. At last, Lopez was able to connect Stewart with Karrah Bakalar, an off-campus student. Stewart now lives with Bakalar and unofficially serves as her emotional support animal to help her deal with college stress. With the help of the Americans with Disabilities Act, more students in Biola University are bringing service animals to assist them in school.

Please note that unlike a service animal, emotional support animals do not need any training. However, landlords and airline personnel may request a copy of a medical practitioner’s note prescribing a person’s need for an emotional support animal.

Article source: Biola University

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Service dog allowed into the dental examination room after ABC27 Investigators’ help

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Veteran and service dog

Mike Geib is a Gulf War veteran who is diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He owns a service dog which he named Cookie Dough. She assists Geib by detecting his anxiety and blood pressure level and offers him comfort.

One day, Geib had an appointment with a dentist at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in January. He noticed the sign on the door that prohibited animals from entering the room. So Geib left Cookie Dough in the waiting room with a friend. As he went home with his dog after the appointment, he remembered the sign on the door and sensed that something was not right. He researched the ADA policy and the Lebanon VA Medical Center policy. He also reached out to the ABC27 Investigators to do the story on the matter just in case he would be turned away after raising the concern.

After the ABC27 Investigators contacted Lebanon VA Medical Center about its policy and Geib’s situation, the facility did their own research and decided to change their policy. Douglas Etter, a spokesman for the Lebanon VA, said, “Our policy is based on the national policy, but our policy had some other things in it which we are changing… We are always going to do what is in the best interest of the veteran and if in the best interest of the veteran is having a service animal and the environment therein does not have to be a sterile one, we’ll certainly permit that.” When Geib had his next dentist appointment, the sign on the door was removed.

Finally, Cookie Dough was able to enter the examination room and just sat there throughout the examination. Geib mentions that the hospital just wasn’t aware of the ADA law. The ADA states that service dogs are to accompany their disabled owners in public and that the owners must only be asked two questions: Whether the animal is a service dog and the tasks that the animal performs for its owner.

Article source: Abc27.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello gets an emotional support dog

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Veterans Home in Pocatello gets an emotional support dog

A veteran and Glory

Glory is an emotional support dog (a labradoodle) who provides comfort to veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. Josiah Dahlstrom, the administrator for the veterans home, said that Glory would make a valuable staff member since she helps improve the quality of life of these veterans. Dahlstrom also mentioned that so far, they have witnessed a lot of successes as a result of Glory’s presence.

Since Glory came into the home after her 9-month training, several positive changes have occurred. For example, a resident who used to refuse to participate in activities now does. Glory has also calmed down and encouraged another resident who disliked some hygiene procedures.

Ned Mickelsen, a WWII veteran, quotes, “I think she’s a wonderful dog… She’s smart. I didn’t know dogs could be that smart. I think she’s an asset to the veterans down here and I think everybody enjoys her.” Because the veterans have taken an active part in Glory’s care (such as taking her outside to play or go potty), they get to go out more often.

Glory stays at the veterans home from Monday until Friday at 8 am to 5 pm. She also visits other people who need her help.

Article source: Localnews8.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

How will businesses differentiate between real and fake service animals?

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SA gear

To date, there is no specific government-issued documentation that certifies service animals. Because of such ambiguity in the ADA, businesses are offering identifying items such as vests and collars to help owners of legitimate service animals access places where pets are normally not allowed.

In order for an establishment to know whether a dog is a service animal or not (and only posing as one), that establishment is only allowed to ask two questions to the animal owner:

  • Is this animal required because of a disability?
  • What task is this animal trained to perform?

Chris Kreiger president of WNY Heroes, a support group for veterans, mentions that while some people are taking advantage of paraphernalia to make a false claim that their pets are service animals when they’re really not, animal gear can still serve useful for real service animal owners.

However, remember that animal gear can help shortcut uncomfortable conversations with business owners but it does not give an animal its status. Kreiger states that he hopes that the government “tightens up” the law to eliminate fake service animals.

Article source: Wivb.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance Animal Laws Book

 

Are assistance animals allowed in residential housings?

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SA housing accommodation

If you are wondering whether an assistance animal can live with you, know that there are two types of assistance animals which a landlord, property manager, or hotel must allow to reside with its owner/handler in any residential housing.

They are…

1. Service Animals
2. Emotional Support Animals

Notice that Therapy Animals are not included in this list. Therapy Animals have no right for housing accommodations by landlords and hotels. The animal would be treated as an ordinary pet when it comes to housing, and a landlord or hotel can impose whatever restrictions it has in place for pets.

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance Animal Laws Book

Is an individual allowed to have multiple assistance animals such as two service animals?

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Multiple Assistance Animals

There is no specific regulation or law that limits a disabled owner to a certain number of Assistance Animals. Because there is no direct guidance, it is likely that an owner would have to show a reasonable need for the number of animals in question.

For example, if a disabled owner/handler has diabetes and mobility issues, and keeps two Service Animals because one animal is trained to detect a drop in blood sugar, and the other is trained to provide physical support and stability, and to fetch objects and open doors, then it would probably be deemed reasonable to have both animals.

However, if a tenant keeps two Emotional Support Animals to assist with combating suicidal tendencies and severe depression, then the landlord could have a viable argument against allowing both animals unless there was a reasonable justification for needing both animals.

The landlord could argue that one animal alone would provide the needed support. A physician’s note would likely need to specifically recommend the multiple animals.

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance Animal Laws Book

What are the five things you need to know about Service Animals?

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Service animal

Some people rely on service animals to provide them with daily support for specific medical conditions. If you don’t own a service animal, you may have some questions about what these animals do and whether they are allowed in the synagogue (Jewish place of worship).

Below are five common questions about service animals and their corresponding answers.

1. What is the definition of a service animal?

A service animal is an animal (usually a dog) that’s specially trained to help a person with a disability perform tasks that he cannot do himself. A common scenario is a blind man assisted by a trained service dog.

2. What is the role of a service animal?

Service animals can take on different roles and that includes detecting abnormal blood sugar levels (for diabetics), alerting people with hearing problems, picking up items for those with mobility problems, and more.

3. Is a service animal allowed in the synagogue?

Though the ADA states that service animals are allowed to accompany their owners in public spaces, synagogues are not covered under the ADA. This means that a service animal is not permitted in the synagogue unless there is an event that’s open to the public.

4. Can you feed and pet another person’s service animal?

Whether another person’s service animal wears a vest or not, you always need to ask permission from the owner before touching or speaking to the animal. Remember that a service animal is not considered a pet and is obligated to its owner.

5. What if you encounter a disruptive service animal?

A service animal should be well-behaved and obedient to its owner’s commands. If the animal disrupts others by barking or wandering around and the owner does not do anything about it, you may request for the animal to be removed.

Article source: Chabad.org

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the text or image below.

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance_animal_laws_6 (1)

New Yorker’s new humor series, “Shorts & Murmurs,” disparages the mentally ill and emotional support animals

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Making fun of people with mental illness, should be strictly verboten, as it only adds to their stigmatized status.

Sadly, The New Yorker’s new humor series, “Shorts & Murmurs,” is a shameful attempt to create humor at the expense of an already abused social group.

In the first video, titled “Pets Allowed,” inspired by a similarly silly article by Patricia Marx published last year, The New Yorker writer Marc Philippe Eskenazi tours New York with a series of assistance animals intended to appear absurd, beginning with a pig and touching on a turkey, before proceeding to a llama.

This is blatantly an act of making “fun” of (and trying to shame) people with disabilities who require assistance animals in order to enjoy the everyday activities of life. 

The reactions of most New Yorkers he comes across are captured on film by video camera. Eskenazi shows bystanders a letter from a therapist (obtained online) which he presents whenever he is questioned. His demeanor is clearly mocking those who have assistance animals.

The New Yorker will soon be reminded, we live in an age where mocking the disabled is not only frowned upon, but appalling and morally bankrupt..

Some commentators are already noting the problem with this piece: “No thanks Patricia Marx for this article. You and The New Yorker just contributed to the negative stigma of mental illness. This mocks anyone actually benefiting from an ESA. This article encourages people who are on the fence to seek help with a disorder to not seek help. The next time there is an act of violence committed from someone with a mental illness … Think about this article of mocking and bullying that you have written and published…and consider that you might have contributed to it. Perhaps you should write an article that shows the benefits of an ESA.”