Laws for Paws
Intro
Sorry, this piece is late. I had to prepare for a colonoscopy and didn’t have much time to write. Everything is fine, but they are going to try increasing my medication before they change it. This topic often elicits eye rolls, depending on individual perspectives. I work in the human services field, and recently, I had an interaction that underscores an important issue. The individual I was assisting has multiple disabilities and has had two service dogs throughout his life. It's worth mentioning that I, too, have been a service dog user since 2012 and likely will be for the foreseeable future as long as I continue to live independently. This gentleman called me with a pressing concern: “Ashley, I need your help because I am trying to get a free dog license for my service dog.” I responded, “Alright, what did they ask you… how do you feel they are in the wrong?” He replied, “They requested that I provide documentation, which is illegal.” I acknowledged, “Yes, I know it’s illegal, but here’s my viewpoint on it…” Unfortunately, my response only angered him further, and he no longer wanted to continue the conversation that day.
The Current Legislation and Its Limitations
While it is indeed illegal for entities to ask for documentation regarding service dogs, this law should be revised, particularly concerning government bodies and landlords. There is no practical method to differentiate between someone whose service dog has been legitimately trained and someone who simply bought a vest online, put it on their regular pet, and now calls it a service dog. The cost of acquiring a service dog can be substantial, and only some organizations offer them for free to their graduates (a quick shout-out to Canine Companions). However, there should be a system where individuals who opt to train their dogs can be overseen by a person familiar with proper service dog standards. I realize there would have to be a governing body for this; however, there is already an association for assistance dog standards, so why can’t they add another component for people who train dogs? Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of not-for-profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. Founded in 1986 by a group of seven small organizations, ADI has become the leading authority in the Assistance Dog industry.
Members of ADI meet regularly to share ideas and conduct business regarding educating the public about assistance dogs, advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs, setting standards, and establishing guidelines and ethics for training these dogs. Compliance with these standards helps ensure that people with disabilities who are seeking a partnership with an assistance dog receive:
exceptional service from our accredited member organizations
a professionally trained assistance dog to mitigate their disability
a comprehensive education about the training and utilization of an assistance dog
a thorough understanding of all aspects of public access with an assistance dog
The ADI Standards are the basis for ADI’s peer-review accreditation assessment process. This comprehensive process evaluates the quality of assistance dog organizations and determines whether an organization meets all the criteria and requirements that represent these standards. Once an organization's accreditation has been approved, programs must be re-accredited every five years.
Defining Appropriate Service Dog Behavior
I understand that the term “appropriate” can be subjective. To me, it means the dog should not display aggression towards other dogs or humans and should not constantly eat things off the floor. Let's be realistic: dogs will occasionally grab something off the ground or sniff someone’s butt in public, but such behavior should not be habitual. Additionally, for those of us with physical disabilities, it is hazardous if a dog gets distracted or pulls its handler out of a wheelchair. Such behavior is neither safe nor appropriate for a service dog. Unfortunately, pseudo-service dogs that exhibit these behaviors still exist, tarnishing the reputation of those of us with legitimately trained service dogs.
The Need for Documentation and Regulation
I also firmly believe that people should not be able to buy vests and leashes online and put them on any dog they choose. There should be some form of documentation and regulation overseen by individuals familiar with service dog behavior. This would ensure that those of us who have chosen to have our dogs professionally trained do not face undue scrutiny, such as having the police called on us or being asked to leave a business because they do not allow dogs inside.
Call to Action for Legislative Change
If anyone knows how I can go about changing this legislation—not to create more barriers, but to protect dogs specifically bred for this purpose—please let me know. The goal is not to impose unnecessary hurdles but to ensure that service dogs are adequately trained and recognized, safeguarding the rights and safety of their handlers.
In summary, while the current law prohibits asking for service dog documentation, a change is necessary. Proper regulation would help distinguish legitimately trained service dogs from impostors, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.