 | Ask Project ACTION“I am a motorcoach operator. I heard the Department of Justice (DOJ) has changed the definition of a service animal to include only dogs and in some cases, miniature horses. How does that change affect me?”Answer: You are referring to a Final Rule issued by the DOJ that made a number of changes to their ADA regulations and became effective on March 15, 2011. For motorcoach operators there is no change in how you define service animals because you operate under regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The definition of service animal found in 49 CFR 37.3 of the DOT ADA regulations has not changed and is not limited to a particular kind of animal. Under 37.167(d) of the DOT ADA regulations, transit entities are required to permit service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. Service animals are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding people who are blind or who have low vision, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals and not pets. An operator 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 or harnesses for the animal or ask about a person’s disability. Other passengers’ allergies and fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people with service animals. Refer to the Federal Transit Administration “Technical Assistance Note (Word),” which aims to clarify that DOT regulations apply to the provision of transportation by public and private operators. View related questions in our Frequently Asked Questions page. Have a question?Ask ProjectACTION by phone M-F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET at 800-659-6428 or by email. | | |
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Motor Coaches (Bus) and The ADA
This is a respost because the answer to the question is so short and sweet:
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Pet Obesity: Health Implications, Recognition, and Weight Management | petMD
Service dogs like their human partners gain weight for a variety of reasons; however, because we spend so much with our canine partners and we love them to pieces we may not recognize when they have put on a few extra pounds.
Top Reasons Our Service Dogs Pack on the Pounds
1. Simply being over fed. Remember, all treats and chews need to be counted in your service dog's over all calorie count.
2. Being under exercised. Many things affect how much exercise a dog gets and while a service dog may be out working everyday, if the brunt of their workday involves long down stays chances are pretty good your service isn't getting enough exercise.
3. People are feeding your service dog unauthorized treats or your dog lies in the lurch under the high chair.Hey, these things happen, but it might be time to refresh the rules about your service dog. Also you might want to keep your service dog out of the area or on leash when the children are eating!
4. You or your service dog are have recently recovered from an illness or injury that affect one or both of your abilities to exercise.
5.Aging. It is not uncommon for dogs as they age to have different nutritional needs that can affect their weight.
For more on Pet Obesity Read:Pet Obesity: Health Implications, Recognition, and Weight Management | petMD
Finally, as we approach the new year consider setting some health related resolutions for the health and happiness of your beloved service dog!
Top Reasons Our Service Dogs Pack on the Pounds
1. Simply being over fed. Remember, all treats and chews need to be counted in your service dog's over all calorie count.
2. Being under exercised. Many things affect how much exercise a dog gets and while a service dog may be out working everyday, if the brunt of their workday involves long down stays chances are pretty good your service isn't getting enough exercise.
3. People are feeding your service dog unauthorized treats or your dog lies in the lurch under the high chair.Hey, these things happen, but it might be time to refresh the rules about your service dog. Also you might want to keep your service dog out of the area or on leash when the children are eating!
4. You or your service dog are have recently recovered from an illness or injury that affect one or both of your abilities to exercise.
5.Aging. It is not uncommon for dogs as they age to have different nutritional needs that can affect their weight.
For more on Pet Obesity Read:Pet Obesity: Health Implications, Recognition, and Weight Management | petMD
Finally, as we approach the new year consider setting some health related resolutions for the health and happiness of your beloved service dog!
Friday, December 2, 2011
News: Chongqing (China) lets guide dogs for blind in public
CHONGQING - Blind residents will be able to take their guide dogs on public transportation in Chongqing as the municipal legislature revised a draft regulation on the protection of the disabled on Friday.
The regulation will take effect on Jan 1.
When a third draft of the regulation was delivered for discussion at the meeting of the municipal people's congress standing committee on Wednesday, a stipulation that "blind people can take their guide dogs to public venues and public transportation", which appeared in the second draft, had been removed.
The reason given for the removal was that it conflicted with the local regulations on the management of rail traffic, which say: "No pets and other animals are allowed to be brought on the rail transport system and violators will be fined 20 yuan to 100 yuan ($3 to $15.4)".Read More
Monday, November 28, 2011
Need a service dog? Use a chair?
Hey readers,
This note is from the website of Summit Assistance Dogs, the program that trained and placed Shilo with me. Summit typically places dogs around the Northwest and requires several visits prior to placement with an average 2-3week team training. If you think you can meet these requirement an need a service dog because you are a wheelchair user, contact them.
This note is from the website of Summit Assistance Dogs, the program that trained and placed Shilo with me. Summit typically places dogs around the Northwest and requires several visits prior to placement with an average 2-3week team training. If you think you can meet these requirement an need a service dog because you are a wheelchair user, contact them.
Special note about service dogs for wheelchair users
Summit currently has very few applications for service dogs for clients who use wheelchairs and need assistance with tasks such as retrieving items, opening/closing doors, tugging clothing off, etc. We have several dogs in training who are going to be ideally suited for this type of placement. This means that the wait time to be matched with a dog may be much shorter than the usual 2-5 years. If you are a wheelchair user looking for a service dog, we encourage you to begin the application process by contacting kim@summitdogs.org.
News: Fair Housing Lawsuit Filed Against the University of Nebraska at Kearney for Discrimination Against Students with Psychological and Emotional Disabilities
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska and employees of UNK for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against students with disabilities.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Nebraska, charges that UNK and its employees engaged in a pattern or practice of violating the Fair Housing Act or denied rights protected by the act by denying reasonable accommodation requests by students with psychological or emotional disabilities seeking to live with emotional assistance animals in university housing. The suit also charges that UNK requires students with psychological disabilities to disclose sensitive medical and other information that is unnecessary to evaluate their accommodation requests. This lawsuit arose as a result of a complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by a student enrolled at UNK who sought to live with an emotional assistance dog that had been prescribed. Read More
Friday, November 25, 2011
Shilo and The Airport Relief Area-Seattle/Tacoma International
"Wow, I didn't even there was a dog on the plane!She's so quiet!"
"I wish children were that good, while flying!"
"My dog would never be that good!"
"We love to have these dogs fly!"
"She is so attentive to you."
On the way out to D.C. we barely had time to deplane, take me to the bathroom and run to our connecting flight, so Shilo had to hold it from 4:30 a.m.PST until 6:30 p.m. EST. Doing the math, that means that she had 11hours between potty breaks. That is why I follow the "high and dry" rule when flying with a service dog wherein the dog skips the meal closest to flight time and free access to water ends and hour before the last chance to empty themselves before entering the secured area of the airport. While on the plane she gets ice to keep her her from becoming desperately thirsty without having so much water that she needs to relieve herself.
On our return trip we had a layover in Seattle at Sea/Tac International Airport with two hours to wait, so I decided to see if we could find the pet relief area inside the "sterile" or secured area. I went right up to the Horizon service counter and asked how to get to it. To my great delight, they not only knew what I was talking about; they knew where it was. Sadly, that was the end of my delight.
While I able to find the potty area. accessing it or using it would not have been possible If I had been traveling with someone we would not have been able to:
1. Get through the doors. It was a double door entry without much room for maneuvering a chair and manual, heavy doors.
2. Clean up after ourselves. The room had two pee pads on the floor, but no more provided for putting additional pads or clean ones after cleaning up. There was a poo-bag dispenser that was empty. No cleaning supplies for disinfecting, keeping the room clean and smelling fresh..
There were also two three foot deep boxes of litter that stunk to high heaven, hadn't been cleaned in who knows how long, and had no tools available for cleaning up after your dog after they completed there business. The room smelled so much of ammonia; it took my breath away. So, while I was grateful Shilo could relief herself; I was trying not to pass out from the smell of the room, and worried that she was being exposed to germ and bacteria that might make her sick. |
| Add caption |
News: Comments Needed on Service Animal Relief Areas in Airports
The Department of Transportation is seeking comment on service animal relief areas in airport by Nov. 28, 2011.
Service Animal Relief Areas
The 2008 amendment to part 382 requires U.S. and foreign air
carriers to work with airport operators to provide service animal
relief areas at U.S. airports. Part 27 does not include a provision
that mirrors this requirement. As such, the Department proposes to
amend part 27 by inserting a provision that would require airport
operators to work with carriers to establish relief areas for service
animals that accompany passengers with disabilities departing,
connecting, or arriving at U.S. airports.
Part 382 does not provide specific directives regarding the design,
number, or location of service animal relief areas an airport should
have; it simply requires carriers to provide service animal relief
areas in cooperation with the airports and in consultation with service
animal training organizations concerning the design of service animal
relief areas. However, in a Frequently Asked Questions document issued
by the Department's Aviation Enforcement Office on May 13, 2009,
examples of factors airlines and airports should consider in
designating and constructing areas for service animal relief at U.S.
airports are provided.\1\ Factors to consider in establishing relief
areas include the size and surface material of the area, maintenance,
and distance to relief area which could vary based on the size and
configuration of the airport. The Department seeks comment about
whether it should adopt requirements regarding the design of service
animal relief areas and what, if any, provisions the rule should
include concerning the dimensions, materials used, and maintenance for
relief areas.Read MoreSunday, November 13, 2011
News: What Does the Evidence Show Us? The Role and Benefits of Autism Service Dogs
"Dr. Thomas Zane is a professor of education and director of the Applied Behavior Analysis Online Program at the Van Loan Graduate School of Endicott College. He is a licensed psychologist in New York and Massachusetts. Dr. Zane has published in various journals and books, presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and been an invited lecturer in Ireland and the Republic of China. His research interests include teacher training, staff development, and evidenced-based practice in autism. As part of his duties at Endicott College, he offers a BCBA certificate program through distance learning.Animals have long been used to provide unique services for individuals who need specialized assistance in some way. For example, Seeing Eye dogs are trained to provide assistance to persons with visual impairments to negotiate the physical environment. In addition to providing such basic services as security and protection, animals have been used to provide emotional and psychological comfort and support to people (e.g., Hall & Malpus, 2000). In fact, it has been experimentally shown that social interactions can increase simply by being in the presence of a dog (McNicholas & Collis, 2000).
The increasing incidence of autism spectrum disorders has resulted in an increase in therapies designed to treat this condition. A recent development has been the training of dogs to specialize in working with persons with autism spectrum disorders. Proponents of “autism dogs” assert that these dogs can support the unique challenges of persons on the spectrum. This article reviews the current knowledge and research in this area." Read More
Monday, October 17, 2011
Today is Our 3rd Anniversary!
Today is Shilo's and my third anniversary! That's right, it has been three years since Shilo and I came into each others' lives, and what a three years it has been! Shilo continues to amaze me everyday with her sweet demeanor, creativity and willingness to work. Since being placed Shilo has learned to:- Work next to a power chair and manual chair
- Wheelchair pull
- work light switches, cabinets, and doors in the order I pass them
- Work odd hours
- Work random and sometimes long hours
- Show off her skills in demonstrations- she's a shepherd mix so this was a challenge
| From T-Mobile Pictures |
Monday, October 3, 2011
Change is good, but exhausting!
First, let me apologized for being away so long. Life in the brick and mortar world has been running on all cylinders with or without me! These last few months have brought my little pack change after change. Cammy, my roommate's guide dog, retired to Texas to live with her parents. By all accounts she is very happy in her retirement and has everyone wrapped around her paws. We, then, welcomed Blaise who was then a seven month old Golden retriever in to the house. He is now a year old and picking up his training like a fish to water! My roommate is working through Oregon Assistance Dogs to train Blaise to be her next guide, and right now he shows every sign of becoming a great partner for her. Next we welcomed Cash, a then 13 month old black Labrador who was already tipping the scales at 70lbs as a foster from Oregon Assistance Dogs. Cash came along in training very quickly, but he is a bit anxious and public work of a service dog proved to be too much for him, so he is being career changed. He is a very sweet, smart dog who was to go, go, go... Maybe he would do better with higher activity work. S&R, drug dog who knows. Next, we, my roommate and I, were asked to serve on Oregon Assistance Dog's Board.
Lastly, I decided to start grad school in Portland. I drive up and back one night a week for a three hour class. Tired yet? I sure am, but change is good... Gotta go to class now!
Lastly, I decided to start grad school in Portland. I drive up and back one night a week for a three hour class. Tired yet? I sure am, but change is good... Gotta go to class now!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Off to the Oregon Disability MegaConference!
Off we go to the Oregon Disabilities MegaConference! Shilo and I will be presenting with Paul White of Oregon Assistance Dogs Leslie, our roommate and co-founder of Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club, Blaise Golden SDIT, and Cash Black Lab SDIT. We are presenting Life with Service Dogs: Is it for you? on Friday at 8:30am at the Salem Convention Center. We hope to see everyone there!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
News: HUD Charges Washington Property Owner with Disability Discrimination
WASHINGTON (Source: HUD) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it has charged the owner and manager of a Lakewood, Washington trailer park with discriminating on the basis of disability. HUD brings the charge on behalf of the Fair Housing Center of Washington, alleging that Deidra Miller, the owner of Terrace Trailers, and property manager Claudia Welch refused to make a reasonable accommodation to their “no pets” policy for testers posing as applicants with disabilities who needed service dogs.
Read More: HUD Charges Washington Property Owner with Disability Discrimination
Read More: HUD Charges Washington Property Owner with Disability Discrimination
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
News:Social Security guard faces arrest in fracas over service dog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Melissa McMann, who is visually impaired, recalls minor incidents in which people challenged her about her service dog, but nothing like what happened last week with a security guard at a Social Security Administration office in Winder.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Upcoming Service Dog Training Seminars
PREVENTING PROBLEMS in Puppyhood: a 3-day seminar
Preventing Problems in Puppyhood 2011
A three day seminar for Puppy Class Instructors & Service Puppy Raisers
November 11, 12, 13, 2011
www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011
<http://www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011>
The majority of behaviour problems that are seen in adult dogs can be
easily prevented during puppyhood. Understanding the developmental
stages that pups go through and what they need in each stage will help
you to understand and address puppy needs to prevent problems in adult
dogs. We will discuss the pros and cons of puppy play, how to structure
object play to get the best results for individual pups, scheduling of
the puppy's day and week and spay and neuter. We will even have live
puppies on site for you to interact with during our socialization lab.
Join us this fall to get your puppy fix!
Featured speakers include: Sue Alexander CPDT CDBC, John Alexander "The
Puppy Guy" BA CPDT.
For more information or to register:
www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011
<http://www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011>
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
________________________________________
SERVICE DOG SEMINAR 2012
Come join in North America's only 5th Annual SERVICE DOG SEMINAR.
June 1, 2 & 3, 2012
www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012
<http://www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012>
Learn about the world of service dogs and how they help people with
disabilities. Whether you are already partnered with a dog, looking for
a promising prospect or interested in how service dogs are trained,
everyone will take something new away from this seminar! Core sessions
include preparing for a service dog, operant conditioning, classical
conditioning, and people training. 2012 includes Carting with your
service dog, Successful Access and much more.
Service Dogs are encouraged to attend; friendly service dog candidates
are welcome.
TRAINING LABS and GUEST SPEAKERS including Sue Alexander CPDT CDBC, John
Alexander "The Puppy Guy" BA CPDT, Linda Alberda MBA, Brent Alberda MA,
Sharon Palmer, Melanie Woolley RVT
For more information or to register:
www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012
<http://www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012>
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
________________________________________
Good Dog Seminar 2012
A three day seminar to help you meet the needs of your client's Good
Dogs with Big Problems!
Fall 2012 (Date to be determined)
Sue Alexander, CPDT, CDBC (featured speaker at the 2009 Canadian
Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers conference) will be sharing
information about learning theory, canine aggression, fear, reactivity,
adaptive and mal-adaptive behaviours, working co-operatively with the
veterinary and training communities, building support groups and
ensuring the safety of those who participate in a GOOD DOG program.
For more information or to register:
Email jen at dogsinthepark dot ca
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
Preventing Problems in Puppyhood 2011
A three day seminar for Puppy Class Instructors & Service Puppy Raisers
November 11, 12, 13, 2011
www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011
<http://www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011>
The majority of behaviour problems that are seen in adult dogs can be
easily prevented during puppyhood. Understanding the developmental
stages that pups go through and what they need in each stage will help
you to understand and address puppy needs to prevent problems in adult
dogs. We will discuss the pros and cons of puppy play, how to structure
object play to get the best results for individual pups, scheduling of
the puppy's day and week and spay and neuter. We will even have live
puppies on site for you to interact with during our socialization lab.
Join us this fall to get your puppy fix!
Featured speakers include: Sue Alexander CPDT CDBC, John Alexander "The
Puppy Guy" BA CPDT.
For more information or to register:
www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011
<http://www.regonline.com/preventingproblemsinpuppyhood2011>
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
________________________________________
SERVICE DOG SEMINAR 2012
Come join in North America's only 5th Annual SERVICE DOG SEMINAR.
June 1, 2 & 3, 2012
www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012
<http://www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012>
Learn about the world of service dogs and how they help people with
disabilities. Whether you are already partnered with a dog, looking for
a promising prospect or interested in how service dogs are trained,
everyone will take something new away from this seminar! Core sessions
include preparing for a service dog, operant conditioning, classical
conditioning, and people training. 2012 includes Carting with your
service dog, Successful Access and much more.
Service Dogs are encouraged to attend; friendly service dog candidates
are welcome.
TRAINING LABS and GUEST SPEAKERS including Sue Alexander CPDT CDBC, John
Alexander "The Puppy Guy" BA CPDT, Linda Alberda MBA, Brent Alberda MA,
Sharon Palmer, Melanie Woolley RVT
For more information or to register:
www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012
<http://www.regonline.com/servicedogseminar2012>
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
________________________________________
Good Dog Seminar 2012
A three day seminar to help you meet the needs of your client's Good
Dogs with Big Problems!
Fall 2012 (Date to be determined)
Sue Alexander, CPDT, CDBC (featured speaker at the 2009 Canadian
Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers conference) will be sharing
information about learning theory, canine aggression, fear, reactivity,
adaptive and mal-adaptive behaviours, working co-operatively with the
veterinary and training communities, building support groups and
ensuring the safety of those who participate in a GOOD DOG program.
For more information or to register:
Email jen at dogsinthepark dot ca
EARLY BIRD pricing available
Bring a friend and you get a $25 Discount (some conditions apply)
All three days include lunch and refreshments.
IAABC and CPDT CEUs pending!
This is a fragrance free event, held in beautiful Guelph, Ontario,
CANADA
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Bark Magazine Covers Service Dog Fraud
Service Vest Controversy
EBay listing causes anger
 |
| A listing on eBay for a vest similar to this one ignited a controversy. |
This listing, which is no longer up, angered many people. Those with disabilities or whose family members have disablities are offended by the suggestion that people should dishonestly claim that their pets are service dogs, when they are not specifically trained in that way. They are concerned about the harm this causes to people with disabilities. The legitimacy of all service animals comes into question when people try to pass off their dogs as service animals. Read More
Unethical or Responsible Pet Care?
Playing service dog to travel first class.
 |
With the USDAA Cynosport World Games coming up in Scottsdale, Ariz., I’ve been talking to many of the local competitors about how they’re traveling with their dogs. Some are caravanning in their RVs and others are reluctantly putting their pups in cargo.
One of the more seasoned competitors mentioned that while she dutifully puts her dogs in cargo, she always sees fellow competitors passing their pups off as service dogs on the plane. Read More
Monday, August 8, 2011
Happy International Assistance Dog Week!
Happy International Assistance Dog Week! All this week events are taking place globally to celebrate the work assistance/service dogs and educate people about what a service dog does. The Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club is celebrating with a Facebook post-a-thon and community information tables.
Friday, August 5, 2011
News: Unleashed Dogs Hassle Service Dog
Summertime on the Idaho State University campus is very relaxing.
But many people who are relaxing with their animals on campus and see a service dog don't realize that they are stopping that dog from doing its job.
Mike Riley and his service dog, Annie, are on campus from seven in the morning to nine at night almost every day, researching thousands of pages as Mike works to get his PhD in Political Science. He frequently travels between buildings. Recently, this has become a very stressful journey.
"This is all she knows. And to have your pets come and interfere with that working relationship is unhelpful." – Mike Riley, Political Science Doctoral Student Read More
But many people who are relaxing with their animals on campus and see a service dog don't realize that they are stopping that dog from doing its job.
Mike Riley and his service dog, Annie, are on campus from seven in the morning to nine at night almost every day, researching thousands of pages as Mike works to get his PhD in Political Science. He frequently travels between buildings. Recently, this has become a very stressful journey.
"This is all she knows. And to have your pets come and interfere with that working relationship is unhelpful." – Mike Riley, Political Science Doctoral Student Read More
News: Guide Dogs Encounter Blind Spot
China Daily
There are 13 million blind people in China, but only 34 guide dogs. China Daily has a report today on how difficult it is for these guide dogs to do their job in China. The article mostly talks about a woman in Beijing named Chen Yan who has been barred six times from taking her dog on the subway near her house. She's also been shooed away from restaurants, airplanes, and restaurants, - even McDonalds. Apparently this is quite a common issue.
The problem is that guide dogs are so new in China that a lot of businesses and services just don't know how to deal with them.
China's Protection Law for Disabled Persons does say that dogs can work in public places �C as long as they abide by local regulations. And that little "local" stipulation means that lots of places CAN refuse entry to guide dogs.
There are some places where they can't. Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Zhejiang province all have regulations that say guide dogs must be allowed into any workplace, museum, cinema, hospital or other public facility. Read More
There are 13 million blind people in China, but only 34 guide dogs. China Daily has a report today on how difficult it is for these guide dogs to do their job in China. The article mostly talks about a woman in Beijing named Chen Yan who has been barred six times from taking her dog on the subway near her house. She's also been shooed away from restaurants, airplanes, and restaurants, - even McDonalds. Apparently this is quite a common issue.
The problem is that guide dogs are so new in China that a lot of businesses and services just don't know how to deal with them.
China's Protection Law for Disabled Persons does say that dogs can work in public places �C as long as they abide by local regulations. And that little "local" stipulation means that lots of places CAN refuse entry to guide dogs.
There are some places where they can't. Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Zhejiang province all have regulations that say guide dogs must be allowed into any workplace, museum, cinema, hospital or other public facility. Read More
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
News: Banned breeds are no more aggressive than others, new study finds
Every study completed to date has found breed specific legislation to be completely ineffective in reducing the incidence of dog bites. Now a study of pet dogs in Spain published in The Journal of Veterinary Behavior, offers new insight into why. The study found that the so called dangerous breeds simply behave no differently from dogs in general when it comes to behaviors likely to lead to biting. Read More
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Happy 21st ADA!
Happy 21st to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)!
Find out what the ADA Does and it's history at ADA Anniversary Resources.
Find out what the ADA Does and it's history at ADA Anniversary Resources.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
New Mobility Magazine:Service Dogs: Making the Grade
Making the Grade
Many people don’t realize that not all dogs have the calm attentive temperament it takes to become a service dog. “If the dog doesn’t have the basic personality and hardwiring, it just won’t work,” says Jeanine Konopelski, director of marketing for Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, Calif. “To increase our success rate here at CCI we have our own breeding program of golden and Labrador retrievers.”
Even with CCI’s selective breeding and training, only about 35 to 40 percent of their dogs graduate to become full-fledged service dogs. Dogs “wash out” for a variety of reasons, including “typical dog behavior” — like being distracted by cats or birds, or whining or barking in public. “I have a dog that was released from the program even though his obedience is perfect,” Konopelski says. “He picks stuff up for me, he grabs the paper for me, but he barks out in public and that is unacceptable.” Read More
Many people don’t realize that not all dogs have the calm attentive temperament it takes to become a service dog. “If the dog doesn’t have the basic personality and hardwiring, it just won’t work,” says Jeanine Konopelski, director of marketing for Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, Calif. “To increase our success rate here at CCI we have our own breeding program of golden and Labrador retrievers.”
Even with CCI’s selective breeding and training, only about 35 to 40 percent of their dogs graduate to become full-fledged service dogs. Dogs “wash out” for a variety of reasons, including “typical dog behavior” — like being distracted by cats or birds, or whining or barking in public. “I have a dog that was released from the program even though his obedience is perfect,” Konopelski says. “He picks stuff up for me, he grabs the paper for me, but he barks out in public and that is unacceptable.” Read More
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tails of Seattle | Veterinary Q&A: A killer called 'bloat ' | Seattle Times Newspaper
I stumbled across this great article on bloat complete with video detailed diagrams and explanations. Many of the common breeds for service dogs can be deep chested and as such prone to bloat. Knowing the signs couls save your partner's life!
Tails of Seattle | Veterinary Q&A: A killer called 'bloat ' | Seattle Times Newspaper
Tails of Seattle | Veterinary Q&A: A killer called 'bloat ' | Seattle Times Newspaper
Friday, June 17, 2011
News: DOJ Status Report on Enforcing the ADA Released
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently released a status report detailing their efforts to enforce Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this report there are 14 instances involving the denial of access to services or discrimination against a person with a disability because they were accompanied by a service animal (dog) during a period from July 2010- September 2010.
- On July 19, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska entered a consent decree resolving a simultaneously filed lawsuit against QuikTrip Corporation, a company that owns and operates more than 550 gas stations, convenience stores, travel centers, and truck stops in the Midwest, South, and Southwestern United States. Under the terms of the decree, QuikTrip will remove barriers over a three year period at its current stores to achieve compliance with ADA accessibility requirements; ensure that at least two gas dispensers at current stores and all gas dispensers at future stores are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the dispenser controls, self-service payment mechanisms, and call buttons for customers who need assistance; adopt, implement, and train store employees on policies for providing refueling and other types of assistance for people with disabilities, serving people who use service animals, and maintaining accessible features, such as accessible parking and routes; upgrade and maintain call buttons for customers with disabilities requesting assistance; and implement and maintain an ADA comment line and a complaint resolution process to resolve ADA-related complaints received from customers. QuikTrip will also design and construct future stores to comply with ADA accessibility requirements and will make its website accessible. In addition, QuikTrip will create a $1.5 million compensatory damages fund for individuals who were victims of discrimination and will pay a civil penalty in the amount of $55,000.
- On July 14, 2010, the owner and operator of the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel in Sacramento, California, entered into a settlement agreement resolving a complaint by a hotel guest with a disability who was required to pay a pet deposit and was assigned to the pet floor because she was accompanied by her service animal. In the settlement, the hotel agreed to adopt an ADA-compliant service animal policy, write to 33 other Sheraton hotels around the country encouraging them to ensure equal access for guests with disabilities who use service animals, and pay $500 in compensatory damages to the complainant.
- On July 19, 2010, Blockbuster, Inc., entered into a settlement agreement with the Department resolving a complaint filed by an individual with a disability who was denied access on multiple occasions at different Blockbuster stores when she attempted to shop while accompanied by a service animal, even after contacting Blockbuster, Inc., and receiving assurances that she would be allowed to shop at Blockbuster stores with her service animal. The agreement requires Blockbuster to adopt and implement a comprehensive service animal policy, provide training to employees at more than 3,000 retail stores throughout the United States about the policy, post its service animal policy and signs welcoming service animals in each of its stores, and establish a toll-free number and a grievance procedure for resolving ADA complaints from customers. Blockbuster will also pay $12,000 in compensatory damages to the complainant and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States.
- On September 10, 2010, the American Hospitality Inn in Portland, Oregon, entered into a settlement agreement with the Department resolving a complaint from a man who is blind who, when registering for a room at the hotel, produced a state issued identification card and a Veteran's Administration identification card but was turned away because he did not have a driver's license for identification. Under the terms of the settlement, the hotel will adopt a formal policy on acceptable forms of identification as well as a service animal policy. The hotel will also pay $1000 in compensatory damages to the complainant.
- An individual with congenital heart failure complained that a New Jersey medical clinic refused to allow her into the clinic because she uses a service animal. The clinic adopted a service animal policy, posted signs welcoming service animals, and trained its employees about the policy.
- An individual with a disability who uses a wheelchair complained that an Indiana hotel refused her service because she uses a service animal. The hotel adopted a service animal policy, posted the policy in a conspicuous location, and trained staff on the policy.
- An individual who is deaf and uses a service animal complained that a Tennessee hotel asked him to leave because of the hotel's no pet policy. The hotel agreed to adopt a service animal policy, post information for guests about the policy, train employees about the policy, and provide information to guests about filing an ADA complaint. The hotel also agreed to pay the complainant $750.
- An individual who is blind complained that a Texas convenience store refused to serve him because he uses a service animal. The store agreed to adopt a service animal policy, post signs informing customers about the policy, train employees about the policy, and pay the complainant $1,500
- An individual with a mobility disability who uses a service animal complained that a chain motel in Arizona refused to serve him. The motel agreed to adopt a service animal policy, post signs informing customers about the policy, and train employees about the policy.
- An individual with a disability alleged that a New Jersey medical facility refused to serve him because he uses a service animal. The facility agreed to adopt a service animal policy, train all current and new employees on the policy, post the policy in all of its locations where patients are served, and pay the complainant $1,000.
- An individual who is blind and uses a service animal complained that the manager of a Dallas retail store asked him to leave because of concerns that his service animal would damage store merchandise. The store agreed to adopt a service animal policy, post signs informing customers about the policy, train employees about the policy, and pay the complainant $1,500.
- In Florida, a woman with multiple sclerosis alleged that a restaurant refused to serve her and her husband inside the restaurant because she uses a service animal for balance. The owner offered to serve them in an alley adjacent to the restaurant and, when they refused, insulted them, asked them to leave, and ultimately escorted them out of the building. The restaurant adopted a policy to allow patrons who use service animals to enter and be served in the restaurant, informed employees about the policy, and posted signage indicating that service animals are welcome in the restaurant.
- An individual with low vision who uses a service animal complained that a California restaurant refused to serve him. The restaurant changed its policy and agreed to serve customers who use service animals, developed employee training on service animals and the ADA, made a $500 donation to a service animal organization, and issued an apology letter to the complainant's family who was with him when the incident occurred.
- In New Jersey, a woman who uses a wheelchair complained that the manager of a chain restaurant harassed her and asked her to leave because she uses a service animal for mobility assistance. The national chain changed its policy and agreed to serve customers who use service animals, circulated an article on the updated policy through an internal corporate publication for employees, and trained all employees on the ADA. The chain also posted signs welcoming service animals at each restaurant's entrance. In addition, the manager who asked the complainant to leave sent her an apology letter, and the chain donated $1,000 in the complainant's name to a service animal organization and gave her two $50 gift certificates.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cabbies arrested after refusing blind passenger | WTNH.com Connecitcut
Windsor Locks, Conn (WTNH) - State police have arrested two taxi cab drivers at Bradley International Airport for allegedly refusing to accept a blind man and his service dog as a paying fare, and then refusing to leave the taxi cab line at the airport.Read More
Monday, June 13, 2011
News: Service dog attacked on walk with owner
Joan Jackson was taking her usual daily walk in Santa Clara last week with her hearing dog, Wrigley, while the family cat, Tuxedo, trotted along behind them. Jackson, 70, who is deaf, didn't see or hear the big white dog that bolted from a driveway and lunged for poor Wrigley.
Tuxedo saw it and raced back home. But Jackson, who retired as garden editor of the Mercury News in 2001, looked up to see the larger dog trying to grab her little Schnauzer mix by the throat.We know how most of these attack stories end, but I'm glad to say this one had a happy ending.
After the incident, Jackson said the owner of the dog made no apparent attempt to say anything to her or check on the condition of her dog.
"The owner quickly raced out, grabbed his dog by the collar and threw it into the driveway," Jackson said. "Then he opened his Jeep door, pushed the dog inside, jumped in and drove off."
In his haste, the owner "never said a word to me, never looked at my dog or asked if he was all right," she said. "Luckily, Wrigley was fine, not hurt, but that is just pure luck."Read More
Friday, June 3, 2011
News: Iowa attorney general files lawsuit -Service Dog Fundraising Scam
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa attorney's general's office has filed a lawsuit against an Arizona company, accusing it of making false statements to solicit funds from Iowans to help people with disabilities.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says Friday a caller seeking money on behalf of Americans with Disabilities LLC, of Phoenix, falsely claimed he was blind and seeking a guide dog; that he was a native Iowan who served in the Vietnam War and that his daughter recently died.Read More-Iowa attorney general files lawsuit against Arizona fundraiser for making false statements :: The Republic
More Details Here: State sues telemarketer for ‘blatant lies’
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says Friday a caller seeking money on behalf of Americans with Disabilities LLC, of Phoenix, falsely claimed he was blind and seeking a guide dog; that he was a native Iowan who served in the Vietnam War and that his daughter recently died.Read More-Iowa attorney general files lawsuit against Arizona fundraiser for making false statements :: The Republic
More Details Here: State sues telemarketer for ‘blatant lies’
Healthy Dogs don't Stink
Bad odor is just as important to pay attention to as any other symptom.
The number one rule when faced with a smelly dog is to look for and deal directly with the underlying problem, not to find a product that will mask the odor or to relegate your dog to the back yard. Dawg Business: It's Your Dog's Health!: Symptoms To Watch For In Your Dog: Bad Odor
Shilo at her worst smells like a dusty rug. Good Food, regular grooming, and regular vet visits are key in avoiding stinky dogs syndrome.
The number one rule when faced with a smelly dog is to look for and deal directly with the underlying problem, not to find a product that will mask the odor or to relegate your dog to the back yard. Dawg Business: It's Your Dog's Health!: Symptoms To Watch For In Your Dog: Bad Odor
Shilo at her worst smells like a dusty rug. Good Food, regular grooming, and regular vet visits are key in avoiding stinky dogs syndrome.
Monday, May 23, 2011
A Month of Movies: Wretches & Jabbers along with Sprout Film Festival
I love movies as people who knows me will heartily agree. One thing I especially love about movies seeing my experiences and the experiences of my fellow members of the global cross disability portrayed with the full breadth and depth of the human experience that it is on screen. What does this have to do with service dogs you ask? Well, my town participated in 100 cities.One night for Autism.I was ecstatic for two reasons:
1) I have always considered myself a part of the global cross disability and know that the only way things will truly improve for people with disabilities in meaningful in lasting ways is we as people with disabilities come together in common goals and understanding for the better-meant of everyone's life.
2) This was my first Sensory Friendly public film viewing of Wretches & Jabbers. A Sensory Friendly Film viewing is one where the movie goer does not have to endure the often painful sensory overload that today's movie house experience can be. At a Sensory Friendly showing the sound is at a normal level instead of the usual bone rattling decibels, the lights are lowered but not completely off, people may laugh, get up and move around, and speak if necessary without fear of being summarily thrown out of the theater for disturbing others. I, for one, will attending many, many more sensory friendly films with my favorite movie watching companion, my service dog Shilo. At this showing I did not have to worry if the accessible seat were also right in the line of the speakers or the doors. With the sound at a decent volume and the lights up neither Shilo or I had to worry about being blasted out of our seats or stepped on/ jostled by other patrons coming and going who did not see use and tripped on us or bumped into one of us! I highly recommend sensory friendly film showings to everyone!
1) I have always considered myself a part of the global cross disability and know that the only way things will truly improve for people with disabilities in meaningful in lasting ways is we as people with disabilities come together in common goals and understanding for the better-meant of everyone's life.
2) This was my first Sensory Friendly public film viewing of Wretches & Jabbers. A Sensory Friendly Film viewing is one where the movie goer does not have to endure the often painful sensory overload that today's movie house experience can be. At a Sensory Friendly showing the sound is at a normal level instead of the usual bone rattling decibels, the lights are lowered but not completely off, people may laugh, get up and move around, and speak if necessary without fear of being summarily thrown out of the theater for disturbing others. I, for one, will attending many, many more sensory friendly films with my favorite movie watching companion, my service dog Shilo. At this showing I did not have to worry if the accessible seat were also right in the line of the speakers or the doors. With the sound at a decent volume and the lights up neither Shilo or I had to worry about being blasted out of our seats or stepped on/ jostled by other patrons coming and going who did not see use and tripped on us or bumped into one of us! I highly recommend sensory friendly film showings to everyone!
We also were especially lucky to have our town be a stop on the tour of the Sprout Film Festival again this year! Last year I inadvertently missed it and this year I was determined to go and I am so glad I did!As many of my readers know, I am a person living with cerebral palsy which is a developmental disability along with others like autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome, angelman's sydrome, fragile X, and many more; so, I was thrilled to hear that artists and every day people with developmental disabilities were making films of all sorts be they documentaries, music videos, shorts, or animated that show people with developmental disabilities as the complex human beings were are with all the hopes, dreams, goals desires and talents as any person not living with a disability. The selections for the matinee showing were funny, real, thought provoking, beautiful, and full of true talent. In the words of Anthony Di Salvo, founder of the Sprout Film Festival, who hosted out tour stop,
"The days of it being acceptable for a non-disabled actor to portray a character with a disability are over. Just as the day has passed where it was acceptable for a person not of a race or ethic group to portray a character representing that experience has gone by; so, too, have the days of characters with disability being played by able bodied actors. There are plenty of talented actors and performers with disabilities to fill these roles!"
Friday, May 20, 2011
Bark in the Park: A tail waggin' time with treats!
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| Melissa, Shilo, Leslie, and Cammy going though the information booths. |
Besides a nice 2k walk on a lovely Sunday morning. The dogs also got to try their paw at agility thanks to the members of Willamette Agility Group (WAG); get tons of treats, and learn about the dog blood bank.
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| Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club Team walks 2k to support Greenhill Humane Society |
Thursday, May 19, 2011
News: FDA Recalls Pig Ears Dog Treats
Keys Manufacturing Company, Inc. Recalls Pig Ears for Pet Treats Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Contact:
Company
217-465-4001
Media Contact
Dan Curry
312-970-1016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 3, 2011 - Keys Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Paris, IL is recalling Pig Ears for Pet Treats because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Pig Ears for Pet Treats was distributed via truck to distributors in the following states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota.
The product was distributed in 100 count cases packed in cardboard boxes shipped between Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2010; Nov. 1-Nov. 29, 2010; and Jan. 3-Jan. 25, 2011.
One illness to a dog in Missouri has been reported to date.
The recall is a result of a reported illness by a dog in Missouri. Subsequently, the company has been working with the FDA to identify any products that might contain the bacteria and the company and the FDA is continuing the investigation to determine what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased Pig Ears for Pet Treats are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-217-465-4001.
News: China start a Hearing dog program
Sunday marks Help-the-Disabled Day in China. The day aims to raise awareness of the plight faced by the country's 80 million people living with disabilities. The deaf and people with impaired hearing account for about a quarter of this figure.
To mark the day, Beijing established its first hearing dog training center. The trained canines alert their owners to important sounds, such as doorbells, smoke alarms and ringing telephones. Hearing dogs provide a vital service by barking or physically leading their owners away from danger, for instance in the case of a ringing fire alarm. After alerting their owners, dogs are rewarded by being given a treat. The dogs can be trained in as little as three months. Watch the news story in English with more detail
To mark the day, Beijing established its first hearing dog training center. The trained canines alert their owners to important sounds, such as doorbells, smoke alarms and ringing telephones. Hearing dogs provide a vital service by barking or physically leading their owners away from danger, for instance in the case of a ringing fire alarm. After alerting their owners, dogs are rewarded by being given a treat. The dogs can be trained in as little as three months. Watch the news story in English with more detail
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Internet in an Uproar over Service Dog Fraud
Service dog fraud is becoming a bigger problem
Service dogs are invaluable companions to people with disabilities. These trained animals guide blind people across the street, keep children with autism from wandering away, help provide support for those with problems walking, etc. But according to this article from The Seattle Times more and more pet owners are committing service dog fraud. These owners are buying certificates, vests and identification numbers online so that their dogs can accompany them into public places such as stores and restaurants, travel with them free on planes, trains or buses or live in restricted housing. Read more
News, Information and Ideas on how to deal with hearing loss in a hearing world. Plus a few other topics!
Article in USA Today on 'Fake' Service Dogs
Believe it or not, this is becoming a real problem! I've written other articles on this and even gotten some emails from readers with service dogs asking me to take them down due to their not agreeing with my opinions. But, the fact is, there are people out there that are taking advantage of the laws/rules for those with true needs for a genuine service dog.Unfortunately, the ADA law states that a business owner cannot question or require proof that a dog is really a service dog. It's against the law. So, the ones that are perpetuating this fraud are getting by with it all in the name of keeping their little darling with them where ever they choose to go. Until the websites that sell these service dog vests start doing the right thing and require some sort of proof that the dog really is a service dog, the fraud will continue. Read More
Is That a Real Hearing Dog?
Abuse of the Americans with Disabilities Act provisions concerning service dogs is increasing. People are buying fake service dog vests and certifications, and insisting on the right to take their non-service dog pets into stores et al with them. The Department of Justice recently updated Title II regulations on service animals to say that a public entity may ask just two questions regarding service animals: is it needed for a disability and what does the dog do? Documentation is not required.In my opinion, that makes it rather easy for people who want to pass off their pets as service dogs, to lie. If I am interpreting the DOJ language correctly, it means that all a hearing person has to do is say "My dog is a hearing dog. My dog alerts me to noises that I can not hear." Behavior is apparently the only clue that a dog is or is not a service dog. Real trained service dogs know how to behave.Read More
They’re the ire of legitimate service dog owners and they’re also guilty of fraud.
Pet Owners Who Skirt Rules With Fake Service Dogs Are Committing Fraud
They’re pet owners who pass their animals off as service dogs by using phony credentials which in turn allows their pets to live in restricted housing, accompany them inside restaurants and hotels or fly for free in airplane cabins rather than in cargo holds“I don’t want to say it’s a scam, but it is a scam,” said Nick Kutsukos, 72, who runs Elite K9 Academy in Jupiter, Fla., and has trained service dogs for 40 years.Read more
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Commentary on Autism Tether or Anchor Dog Video
This video is of a dog being trained to work as a tether or anchor dog for a child with autism. The video shows many red flags about this type of training, and sadly none of the adults in the background of the video do anything more than laugh at the child's mounting frustration and nothing to assist the dog.There are several very scary points where I was afraid for the safety of the child and the dog. I will go through what I see by time stamp of when it happens on the video. The reader will see there are many missed teaching opportunities for both child and dog through the video.Service dogs and children are a tricky combination that can work when the needs of both the child and the dog are addressed. If partnerships are to hold up in the long run, it is important that the child see the dog as his friend not anther thing to fight in frustration against.
0:15 -Child who is purposely leaning with his weight against his harness and the dog's harness causing the harness to twist and pull on the dog. This is a growing child imagine what will happen as the child grows, the dog ages and this behavior continues. Just because a dog's has fur and thicker skin than a human does not mean the dog does not feel the harness strapping pull or become bruised by the heavy pressure on the strapping. The child, too, must endure the pull and weight of a full grown dog around its tiny waist.
0:25- Child is at the end of the tether pulling and looking away from the whole situation behind him.The dog is looking away from the child and the training. For dogs averting one's gaze is a method of showing and diffusing stress. Signs of Stress Checklist A dogs may also attempt to use a section of canine body language called Calming Signals to diffuse a stressful situation. Learn about dog body language
0:31- Child is leaning against the dog and pulling on the tether with such force the the dog's neck skin is being forced up and forward by the harness. The dog is digging it's nails in an attempt to stay put as its trainer asks while displaying three common signs of stress in dogs panting, squinting eyes, sideways or "owl ears".
0:42- Again, the child is at the end of the tether making it all but impossible for the dog to lie down as it has been cued because the harness is pulling so hard. Again, imagine what this type of pressure is doing to both the dog and the child's bodies at the harness points.
0:48- The Child has finally moved into the same space as the dog and is attempting to interact with it by pointing and asking it to go forward. The dog puts its head lower, with sideways ears unsure and looks at the trainer for what to do. How is a dog that is trained not to respond to the child's requests ever going to develop a good relationship with the child? Why would a child want to continue to interact with and share space with an animal the will not respond to them? Interaction/response/feedback to and from child and dog are cornerstones of relationship build between any dog/human pair. You throw ball, dog fetches it and bring it back, you throw ball again. You talk to dog, dog comes toward you. You scratch a good spot, dog moves closer for more.
1:08-1:40 Child begins to wander forward and the trainer cues the dog to stop and lie down. As the down turns to lie down, it immediately begins giving stress signals flattening its ears, licking the end of its nose, and refusing to follow the cue. The trainer steps forward to issue the dog a correction on its pronged collar and get the dog to lie down. In the meantime the child had time to step back into the shared space with the dog; however, the trainer is still working on getting the dog to lie down so no one takes the opportunity to reward the child for coming back to be with the dog by allowing the child to continue "walking the dog". Instead the child becomes bored waiting and begins, again to pull at the tether with all his weight and strength. This not work so the child takes hold of the tether and wraps it around him self as he pulls for more leverage.The dog makes a valiant effort to stay put as his trainer wants and pants with stress.Again, the dog is released to get up while the child is still pulling against the harness, a missed opportunity to teach both child and dog that a slack comfortable tether will allow them to walk on.
1:48-1:59- The trainer once again cues the dog to stop and down. The dog is hesitant and the trainer is so focused on making the dog do it that another opportunity to praise the child for turning and patiently waiting for their new friend is missed. Another opportunity to build a cooperative partnership and bond between child and dog is missed. So, again the child takes a step to the side and begins pulling an the tether lead and the dogs harness.
2:01- 2:06- Both the child and the dog are showing sign of discomfort.the child readjusting the belt on their waist and the dog gives a jaw popping stress yawn.
2:34-2:36 -Child is forcing their way forward dragging the dog that is being held back by the trainers leash attached to its pronged collar. No opportunity it taken to stop the dog at the pulling or address the child that it should slow down and wait for the dog. These are opportunities that could be used to build trust and cooperation between the boy and the dog rather that the adversarial relationship that is shown. Children with autism are not uncaring as some seem to believe. They can learn and respond to feedback. This child is clearly engaged at points yet the opportunities allowed to pass with no engagement of the child.
2:48- 3:02The child is again upset the dog has stopped and is pulling at the tether with such force the dog's harness is coming up off of the dog's back while dogs displays the stress signals of panting, squinting eyes and flat ears. As the dog does not respond the pulling the child continues pulling and bouncing against the tether, begins to fuss and whine (all the while adults in the background are laughing). he comes to the side of the dog and hits it with his hand on the way around. No one address the child about not pulling on the dog like that, or when he hits the dog. The only tell the child "He's gonna get up when Jen tell him too." More opportunities to create that companionship gone by the way side, sadly. The child is powerless to affect his environment in this situation and so is the dog.
3:04-3:06 Finally! The dog and child are walking along. The child is talking to the dog and pointing saying "Let's go right there Caleb." The dog in response turn to look at the child and moves closer. This get a hearty "Good Boy Caleb!" from the trainer in the background. Instances like this are far too few for both dog and child in this video. Will we see more like this?I hope so.
3:07-3:11 in the video the child begins to pull away from the dog again, but no one takes to the child. Instead, the say in the back ground "Go ahead slow him down." then you see the dog, Caleb turn and pull as he hears the cue "Caleb, down!" as the child whines and pulls away more. The child cries and says what sounds like "No, come to me." Caleb is unsure. He hears the corection "No,down!" from the trainer sits and lets off a full mouth stress yawn followed by panting. No adults are addressing eith the child's stress or the dog's at this time.
3:12-3:21 The child gives up on trying to communicate with the dog and goes to negotiate with the adult in the background. Again no attempt is made to communicate with the child about why they were made to stop walking and how he could avoid being forced to stop so much in the future. The Child says "why mom" and points at the dog that is now in a down clearly wanting to know why the dog stopped. The adult responds simply, "It's okay, bud, we're going." She never answered the child's question though. The child continues moving at the end of the tether, pulling on the dog while negotiating with the adult to "walk faster" while pointing forward. No one is address the dog at all with any kind of attention for holding its down during all of this. The dog is a non-player at the goal in going forward for the child at this point. The dog could be a monster truck tire at this point and the goal of keeping the child there would be accomplished just the same.
3:22-3:26 The adult in the background is telling the child "it's okay, when aunt Jen tells Caleb, we'll go." Meanwhile, the dog perks up to listen to another dog barking in the background. Another missed opportunity to engage the child about why Caleb stopped, what Caleb does to keep himself from getting bored while waiting. Instead, we again tell the child he is powerless to change the situation no matter his behavior or who he talks to.
3:30-3:52 Child and dog are allowed to start walking again and as soon as they take of the child and dog begin a tug of war through the tether forcing each other the this way and that. The is constantly correct for pulling or going too fast, but no adult address the same behaviors in the child at all. The adversarial nature of this relationships lives on. No one is encouraging the child to interact with or talk to the dog as they walk showing the child that keeping the tether loose and listening to mom or dad's directions means that he and Caleb can keep going and enjoy their walk.Service dogs need feedback from the person they are with if they are going to have a lasting bond and drive to be with them. Children and handlers of any age need to see their service dogs as a help, not a constant frustration if the partners is to last as well.
3:59-4:02 Caleb and the child are walking along side by side with the child happily chattering away at the dog. At the that point Caleb is simultaneously admonished with an"Easy!" and a hearty "Good Boy! " from the trainer. Again no one address the child's good behavior at all or takes the opportunity to engage him and ask what he and Caleb are discussing so intently.
4:18-4:20- Caleb becomes distracted by something in the environment and pull hard left to investigate eliciting a surprise "whoa!" from the boy as he is know off balance a bit. Good thing the dog stopped. That pavement would made for a nasty fall, since the harness means the child cannot let go.Dogs, even well trained ones, are still dogs and will respond to things they find interesting.
4:30-4:35 Again Caleb is told to stop and down amid the frustrated and confuse cries of the child. The is still not told why the dog stopped. Another teaching moment passed for the child and his frustration left unaddressed.
4:38- 4:44-You hear a male voice in the background say "I think that I'm we didn't go with that harness idea, because I think that it would have been such a high center of gravity it would have pitched the kids over." This quote show they recognize that the dog and tether connection can pose a danger to the child.
4:45-5:01 Caleb takes off fast and begins to drag the child garnering uncomfortable squeals from the child and hurries admonishments from the trainer to "easy, easy!" No adult is connect to the dog by leash at this point. I was scared the dog might choose not to stop dragging the child with them.The child, upset, begins to reign the dog in by the tether pulling and jerking with visible force on the harness. The dog is confused and looking for it's trainer who tells hims to "sit".No one is addressing the child at all who is now frustrated again at having to stop for some reason. A man in the background address the child finally saying "I know, it's horrible isn't it.?" Again pitting dog and child as adversaries in this tug of war rather than the friends helping each other they could be.
5:03-5:29 The Child's frustration boils over to out of control because Caleb will not move. He cries, screams and pulls with such force and might I am terrified as I watch the whole harness begin to come up and over the dog's head and shoulders! Will they be able to catch this child if he succeeds in pulling the harness off the dog?What will the do if he does get lose,send the dog to chase him down and tackle him? I am an adult and I love dogs, yet I would be terrified if a big dog like this was running me down. I could only imagine how scared a child would be and this is a dog they have to live with. The mom and the child fight over the dog with the mom trying to get the dog down and the child pulling saying "mine, mine" over and over. No one attempt to talk to the clearly frustrated child at all. The trainer is in the background with a worried tone saying" Oh! He's testing the equipment. He's testing the equipment."
5:29-5:46 There is an obvious edit jump in the video and the last 15 second of the video are of the dog and child walking along beautifully and again no adults have a word of praise for either team member on this great behavior.
0:15 -Child who is purposely leaning with his weight against his harness and the dog's harness causing the harness to twist and pull on the dog. This is a growing child imagine what will happen as the child grows, the dog ages and this behavior continues. Just because a dog's has fur and thicker skin than a human does not mean the dog does not feel the harness strapping pull or become bruised by the heavy pressure on the strapping. The child, too, must endure the pull and weight of a full grown dog around its tiny waist.
0:25- Child is at the end of the tether pulling and looking away from the whole situation behind him.The dog is looking away from the child and the training. For dogs averting one's gaze is a method of showing and diffusing stress. Signs of Stress Checklist A dogs may also attempt to use a section of canine body language called Calming Signals to diffuse a stressful situation. Learn about dog body language
"Just 'cause the dog isn't moving doesn't mean he's calm. Just cause the dog isn't biting you doesn't mean he likes you"-From Jean Donaldson, renowned trainer and dog behaviorist in the dog body language video.The trainer is this shot is not interacting with the dog in any way for holding its down under such pressure i.e. no verbal praise, no physical praise (petting), or coming closer to the dog so it feels supported by the trainer.
0:31- Child is leaning against the dog and pulling on the tether with such force the the dog's neck skin is being forced up and forward by the harness. The dog is digging it's nails in an attempt to stay put as its trainer asks while displaying three common signs of stress in dogs panting, squinting eyes, sideways or "owl ears".
0:42- Again, the child is at the end of the tether making it all but impossible for the dog to lie down as it has been cued because the harness is pulling so hard. Again, imagine what this type of pressure is doing to both the dog and the child's bodies at the harness points.
0:48- The Child has finally moved into the same space as the dog and is attempting to interact with it by pointing and asking it to go forward. The dog puts its head lower, with sideways ears unsure and looks at the trainer for what to do. How is a dog that is trained not to respond to the child's requests ever going to develop a good relationship with the child? Why would a child want to continue to interact with and share space with an animal the will not respond to them? Interaction/response/feedback to and from child and dog are cornerstones of relationship build between any dog/human pair. You throw ball, dog fetches it and bring it back, you throw ball again. You talk to dog, dog comes toward you. You scratch a good spot, dog moves closer for more.
1:08-1:40 Child begins to wander forward and the trainer cues the dog to stop and lie down. As the down turns to lie down, it immediately begins giving stress signals flattening its ears, licking the end of its nose, and refusing to follow the cue. The trainer steps forward to issue the dog a correction on its pronged collar and get the dog to lie down. In the meantime the child had time to step back into the shared space with the dog; however, the trainer is still working on getting the dog to lie down so no one takes the opportunity to reward the child for coming back to be with the dog by allowing the child to continue "walking the dog". Instead the child becomes bored waiting and begins, again to pull at the tether with all his weight and strength. This not work so the child takes hold of the tether and wraps it around him self as he pulls for more leverage.The dog makes a valiant effort to stay put as his trainer wants and pants with stress.Again, the dog is released to get up while the child is still pulling against the harness, a missed opportunity to teach both child and dog that a slack comfortable tether will allow them to walk on.
1:48-1:59- The trainer once again cues the dog to stop and down. The dog is hesitant and the trainer is so focused on making the dog do it that another opportunity to praise the child for turning and patiently waiting for their new friend is missed. Another opportunity to build a cooperative partnership and bond between child and dog is missed. So, again the child takes a step to the side and begins pulling an the tether lead and the dogs harness.
2:01- 2:06- Both the child and the dog are showing sign of discomfort.the child readjusting the belt on their waist and the dog gives a jaw popping stress yawn.
2:34-2:36 -Child is forcing their way forward dragging the dog that is being held back by the trainers leash attached to its pronged collar. No opportunity it taken to stop the dog at the pulling or address the child that it should slow down and wait for the dog. These are opportunities that could be used to build trust and cooperation between the boy and the dog rather that the adversarial relationship that is shown. Children with autism are not uncaring as some seem to believe. They can learn and respond to feedback. This child is clearly engaged at points yet the opportunities allowed to pass with no engagement of the child.
2:48- 3:02The child is again upset the dog has stopped and is pulling at the tether with such force the dog's harness is coming up off of the dog's back while dogs displays the stress signals of panting, squinting eyes and flat ears. As the dog does not respond the pulling the child continues pulling and bouncing against the tether, begins to fuss and whine (all the while adults in the background are laughing). he comes to the side of the dog and hits it with his hand on the way around. No one address the child about not pulling on the dog like that, or when he hits the dog. The only tell the child "He's gonna get up when Jen tell him too." More opportunities to create that companionship gone by the way side, sadly. The child is powerless to affect his environment in this situation and so is the dog.
3:04-3:06 Finally! The dog and child are walking along. The child is talking to the dog and pointing saying "Let's go right there Caleb." The dog in response turn to look at the child and moves closer. This get a hearty "Good Boy Caleb!" from the trainer in the background. Instances like this are far too few for both dog and child in this video. Will we see more like this?I hope so.
3:07-3:11 in the video the child begins to pull away from the dog again, but no one takes to the child. Instead, the say in the back ground "Go ahead slow him down." then you see the dog, Caleb turn and pull as he hears the cue "Caleb, down!" as the child whines and pulls away more. The child cries and says what sounds like "No, come to me." Caleb is unsure. He hears the corection "No,down!" from the trainer sits and lets off a full mouth stress yawn followed by panting. No adults are addressing eith the child's stress or the dog's at this time.
3:12-3:21 The child gives up on trying to communicate with the dog and goes to negotiate with the adult in the background. Again no attempt is made to communicate with the child about why they were made to stop walking and how he could avoid being forced to stop so much in the future. The Child says "why mom" and points at the dog that is now in a down clearly wanting to know why the dog stopped. The adult responds simply, "It's okay, bud, we're going." She never answered the child's question though. The child continues moving at the end of the tether, pulling on the dog while negotiating with the adult to "walk faster" while pointing forward. No one is address the dog at all with any kind of attention for holding its down during all of this. The dog is a non-player at the goal in going forward for the child at this point. The dog could be a monster truck tire at this point and the goal of keeping the child there would be accomplished just the same.
3:22-3:26 The adult in the background is telling the child "it's okay, when aunt Jen tells Caleb, we'll go." Meanwhile, the dog perks up to listen to another dog barking in the background. Another missed opportunity to engage the child about why Caleb stopped, what Caleb does to keep himself from getting bored while waiting. Instead, we again tell the child he is powerless to change the situation no matter his behavior or who he talks to.
3:30-3:52 Child and dog are allowed to start walking again and as soon as they take of the child and dog begin a tug of war through the tether forcing each other the this way and that. The is constantly correct for pulling or going too fast, but no adult address the same behaviors in the child at all. The adversarial nature of this relationships lives on. No one is encouraging the child to interact with or talk to the dog as they walk showing the child that keeping the tether loose and listening to mom or dad's directions means that he and Caleb can keep going and enjoy their walk.Service dogs need feedback from the person they are with if they are going to have a lasting bond and drive to be with them. Children and handlers of any age need to see their service dogs as a help, not a constant frustration if the partners is to last as well.
3:59-4:02 Caleb and the child are walking along side by side with the child happily chattering away at the dog. At the that point Caleb is simultaneously admonished with an"Easy!" and a hearty "Good Boy! " from the trainer. Again no one address the child's good behavior at all or takes the opportunity to engage him and ask what he and Caleb are discussing so intently.
4:18-4:20- Caleb becomes distracted by something in the environment and pull hard left to investigate eliciting a surprise "whoa!" from the boy as he is know off balance a bit. Good thing the dog stopped. That pavement would made for a nasty fall, since the harness means the child cannot let go.Dogs, even well trained ones, are still dogs and will respond to things they find interesting.
4:30-4:35 Again Caleb is told to stop and down amid the frustrated and confuse cries of the child. The is still not told why the dog stopped. Another teaching moment passed for the child and his frustration left unaddressed.
4:38- 4:44-You hear a male voice in the background say "I think that I'm we didn't go with that harness idea, because I think that it would have been such a high center of gravity it would have pitched the kids over." This quote show they recognize that the dog and tether connection can pose a danger to the child.
4:45-5:01 Caleb takes off fast and begins to drag the child garnering uncomfortable squeals from the child and hurries admonishments from the trainer to "easy, easy!" No adult is connect to the dog by leash at this point. I was scared the dog might choose not to stop dragging the child with them.The child, upset, begins to reign the dog in by the tether pulling and jerking with visible force on the harness. The dog is confused and looking for it's trainer who tells hims to "sit".No one is addressing the child at all who is now frustrated again at having to stop for some reason. A man in the background address the child finally saying "I know, it's horrible isn't it.?" Again pitting dog and child as adversaries in this tug of war rather than the friends helping each other they could be.
5:03-5:29 The Child's frustration boils over to out of control because Caleb will not move. He cries, screams and pulls with such force and might I am terrified as I watch the whole harness begin to come up and over the dog's head and shoulders! Will they be able to catch this child if he succeeds in pulling the harness off the dog?What will the do if he does get lose,send the dog to chase him down and tackle him? I am an adult and I love dogs, yet I would be terrified if a big dog like this was running me down. I could only imagine how scared a child would be and this is a dog they have to live with. The mom and the child fight over the dog with the mom trying to get the dog down and the child pulling saying "mine, mine" over and over. No one attempt to talk to the clearly frustrated child at all. The trainer is in the background with a worried tone saying" Oh! He's testing the equipment. He's testing the equipment."
5:29-5:46 There is an obvious edit jump in the video and the last 15 second of the video are of the dog and child walking along beautifully and again no adults have a word of praise for either team member on this great behavior.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Shilo Shines in More Than Disability Video
Shilo and I recently assisted a UO Journalism student with a class project. The video Shilo and I working together.
More than a Disability from Ethos Magazine on Vimeo.
More than a Disability from Ethos Magazine on Vimeo.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
News: National Association of Guide Dog Association Launches Innovative Hotline
The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), has launched an
innovative new service. The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline not only offers
information about the legal rights of individuals who use service animals, it
offers the option to speak with an advocate who is trained to resolve access
denials. According to the new federal guidelines that took effect on March 15,
2011, a service animal is "any dog that is individually trained to do work or
perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability" (28 CFR Part
35.104 & 28 CFR Part 36.104). The new regulations specifically state, "Other
species
of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service
animals for the purposes of this definition." In an effort to Further clarify
its intent, the Department of Justice specifically states, "The crime deterrent
effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support,
well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the
purposes of this definition."
"We find that most access problems are the result of a lack of
information," says Michael Hingson, the Association's vice president, who serves
as project manager for the hotline. "This hotline is an excellent resource for
accurate information."
The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers general
information about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), as well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and health
care facilities. Callers needing immediate assistance can connect directly to a
live trained advocate. Future plans for the hotline include
summaries of each of the state laws concerning service animals, more
industry-specific information, and guidance in a variety of languages, such as
Mandarin and Arabic. The hotline is available anytime by calling, toll- free,
(866) - 972 - 3647.
innovative new service. The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline not only offers
information about the legal rights of individuals who use service animals, it
offers the option to speak with an advocate who is trained to resolve access
denials. According to the new federal guidelines that took effect on March 15,
2011, a service animal is "any dog that is individually trained to do work or
perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability" (28 CFR Part
35.104 & 28 CFR Part 36.104). The new regulations specifically state, "Other
species
of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service
animals for the purposes of this definition." In an effort to Further clarify
its intent, the Department of Justice specifically states, "The crime deterrent
effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support,
well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the
purposes of this definition."
"We find that most access problems are the result of a lack of
information," says Michael Hingson, the Association's vice president, who serves
as project manager for the hotline. "This hotline is an excellent resource for
accurate information."
The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers general
information about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), as well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and health
care facilities. Callers needing immediate assistance can connect directly to a
live trained advocate. Future plans for the hotline include
summaries of each of the state laws concerning service animals, more
industry-specific information, and guidance in a variety of languages, such as
Mandarin and Arabic. The hotline is available anytime by calling, toll- free,
(866) - 972 - 3647.
News: Service Dogs Teach Educators About Disabilities
May 14, 2011
Many disabled people say that life without their service animals is unthinkable. And while public institutions are required to admit service animals without question, some public schools claim they cannot handle the disruption of a dog in a busy classroom.
Disabled students are hoping new federal guidelines will help them avoid legal battles over their animals.Read More or Listen to Story
Many disabled people say that life without their service animals is unthinkable. And while public institutions are required to admit service animals without question, some public schools claim they cannot handle the disruption of a dog in a busy classroom.
Disabled students are hoping new federal guidelines will help them avoid legal battles over their animals.Read More or Listen to Story
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
News: Service Dogs Under Protection?
By Gia Vang
EUGENE, Ore. -- When a service dog is injured by a dangerous dog, the City of Eugene doesn't do much about it. But that could soon change after the City Council takes up the existing animal code on Monday.
The current ordinance doesn't distinguish service dogs from other breeds.
So, if service dogs get hurt by another dog, staff say they're not as protected as they should be.Read More
EUGENE, Ore. -- When a service dog is injured by a dangerous dog, the City of Eugene doesn't do much about it. But that could soon change after the City Council takes up the existing animal code on Monday.
The current ordinance doesn't distinguish service dogs from other breeds.
So, if service dogs get hurt by another dog, staff say they're not as protected as they should be.Read More
Monday, May 9, 2011
Shilo does Bark in the Park 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Vote for Summit Assistance Dogs to receive a Toyota Car for Good
Summit is an amazing Assistance Dog organization that does whatever it takes to support their teams including coming all the way to Eugene, OR from Anacortes, WA to follow up on Shilo and my progress six months after placement - that's a distance of 728 mile round trip at a cost of $114 (and rising every day)!
Friday, April 29, 2011
New Service Dog Partnership Memoir: A Dog Named Slugger
Excerpt
I followed Vicki, mine and Slugger’s teacher, into the building’s cool basement. Several dozen folks awaited us there. A woman in a plaid skirt and crisp white blouse ushered us warmly to the front of the room.She addressed her colleagues, “Okay, everyone, we’d like to get started. We’re honored to have with us Vickie Polk and Leigh Brill from Caring Canine Companions of Virginia. They’re going to be telling us a little bit about their lovely dogs.” She turned and smiled at the Labradors who were now lying quietly in heel position. “How beautiful! And so calm, too!”
Sensing appreciation in the woman’s tone, Slugger flicked his tail twice. “Well you’re welcome, gorgeous!” His admirer cooed. Laughter rippled through the audience as she settled into to an empty folding chair.
Now Vickie stood. “Thank you all for inviting us. I’m a trainer with Caring Canine Companions. This is Zack, my newest student.”
She gestured to the black Lab. Then she pointed toward me. “That’s Leigh and her new service dog, Slugger. They’ve joined us today, so Leigh can see what it’s like to be on this side of a presentation. The two of them have been working really hard finishing up their team training, and I’m happy to say they’re turning into an impressive pair. Slugger does a great job helping Leigh deal with the challenges of her cerebral palsy.”
Vickie paused and beamed at me, but I was suddenly besieged by a wave of panic. Oh God, the voice in my head shrieked, I can’t believe she just told a room full of strangers I have CP! Now I was afraid to look at the audience, afraid I’d find their faces pinched by morbid curiosity. I’d encountered such expressions all my life.
Buy A Dog Named Slugger (Note:I get no support from the sale of this book, but service dog programs do!)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Pet First Aid Month April
Finding Pet First Aid Classes Near You:
Red Cross Pet First Aid Classes
There's an App for that!
Once you have taken a class you can Download an App to help your remember what to do in a specific situation when it really counts.
Tools and ThingsNow that you have the knowledge and the App make sure you have the tools you need.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Here's a Happy Dog to Brighten Your Day
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day everyone! I pulled the following except from the SDAWL archives.
Celebrating Earth Day: Earth Friendly Products for Service Dogs
I try to be as environmentally conscience as I can with the supplies and gear I use and buy for Shiloh, while keeping in mind my very real budget concerns. I recently had to switch from Organix, an organic (definition of organic from the USDA) dog food made locally in my home state to a natural (the USDA does not currently have a definition for "natural products" ) dog food because Organix--much as I and Shiloh love it-- just became too expensive for the budget. AACFO that regulates the pet food industry defines "natural" as, "For the most part, "natural" can be construed as equivalent to a lack of artificial flavors, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives in the product.Read More
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