Why are assistance animals good for kids and people in general?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

Assistance animals have become widely popular in the United States, as more people have seen their benefits for improving their mental and emotional health. For sure, you’ve heard of reports of emotional support animals such as dogs, cats, pigs, miniature horses, and ducks being used to assist patients with PTSD and autism in their day-to-day lives.

Despite assistance animals’ popularity, we can all agree that animals, in general, have helped people in many ways. Whether it’s an emotional support animal or simply a pet, animals help ease feelings of loneliness. You get to take them for a walk which allows you to exercise.

When it comes to children with or without developmental disorders, interaction with assistance animals has been shown to increase learning motivation, social skills, empathy, a sense of responsibility, and self-esteem. Therapy animals also help decrease pain among hospitalized children.

As owners of assistance animals, we need to make sure that our furry companions get all the care and training they need to stay safe and healthy so they can continue keeping us happy.

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

Misrepresenting pets as service animals could soon be a civil offense

Posted on March 27, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

A lot of people now claim their pets to be service animals in order to enjoy public accommodations such as shopping, dining out, or flying. What they these people usually do is they purchase a service vest or claim a service dog ID kit online.

According to disability advocates, this growing trend of misrepresenting pets as service animals would be considered a civil offense soon. In fact, legislators in Massachusetts are considering a bill that would penalize fake service animal owners.

This bill would not only punish owners of fake service animals but also expose operations that sell dogs that aren’t adequately trained to veterans. This places disabled people at risk. The main problem that many are facing is the lack of an official civil dog registry – although there are registries such as the SARC.

If the bill would be approved, disabled people will also be able to enjoy their rights since this reduces suspicion among business owners. Fakers can also get fined up to $500 and be required to render 30 hours of community service.

Article source: Bostonglobe.com

Are you an owner of an assistance animal?

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

Emotional support cat lives with college freshman in dormitory

Posted on March 27, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

Posted on March 27, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

Posted on March 27, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

Posted on March 19, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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?

Posted on March 12, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

Are assistance animals allowed in residential housings?

Posted on March 5, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

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

Posted on March 5, 2017 by SARC Editorial Staff

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?

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

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