Comments on: Service dog debate rages

By: gr8nsmall

gr8nsmall — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:45:56 +0000

Thank you for your insights, research, and advocacy, Charlyne. I chuckled at your post suggesting a “people control” agency. You asked: “Has a Service Dog actually created an actual “problem” here in Sonoma County..?” The P.D.’s own Wine Country Mom reported an incident that bothered her greatly (http://winecountrymom.blogs.santarosamom.com/10501/dog-poop/ ). While I give her credit for achieving tolerance and compassion, it took her a while to get there, and the anecote she relates shows how small and selfish people can be. Overall, the larger, and extremely well-funded programs concern me –and I am a former puppy raiser for GDB. In particular, adding to the animal population by maintaining a breeding program — and the creation of a demand for service dog “rejects” and “dropouts” is plain wrong, in my opinion. Families won’t look to their shelters for pets, as a result. Llkewise troubling are the compulsive training techniques and their behavioral consequences …. and the moral issues surrounding commanding a sentient being to duty…. Many issues here and thank you for the discussions.

By: Charlyne

Charlyne — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:28:51 +0000

A person’s weight or how much money they have, or if they are “really” disabled or just “lazy” etc. have nothing to do at all with the discussion of the role that Service Dogs play in the lives of the disabled.
These comments have to do with bigotry, prejudice and discrimination. It is obvious that this discussion has degraded to name calling and hate mongering..of an aspect of society that ..before the ADA laws, had very little recourse to defend themselves or receive equal rights.
I hope most people who post on blog sites now know that to disparage and degrade a certain aspect of society is not really “politically correct” anymore. I no longer see racial slanders for example. So to read how easily people give their very negative and in some cases, just plain ignorant “personal opinions” of the disabled has shocked and dismayed me today.
I am very sad that there seems to be so much hatred and lack of even the “desire” to understand something you know nothing about…very disheartening. I truly hope these posts are not representing who really lives in Santa Rosa. I would not like to believe that this is anything but only a FEW disturbed and unhappy people, so desperately “needy” themselves in some way, that they need to say these type of things on a public forum.
I have been participating in this discussion as a disabled person who has a legal Service Dog. My intention was to educate and inform. With the idea that by doing so, people would come to understand and learn something they didn’t know before..and in this education..would come to have more understanding and compassion for other types of people with different needs than their own.
I hope perhaps something I may have shared has helped someone. And for the any other disabled with Service Dogs who may be reading, please continue to hold your head high..and know that you do have value in our society and you are worth being respected..and that not “everyone” seems to be able to DO that..but that has to do with who THEY are..and nothing to do with you.

By: Pets

Pets — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:21:49 +0000

California health code cannot supersede federal law when it comes to access for service dogs. So no, service animals cannot be barred from grocery stores.

For regular ole pets, they are not allowed in grocery stores or farmer’s markets.
They can be allowed at any restaurant that has a patio with access to outdoors.

I am sorry…but what does a person’s weight have to do with anything?

By: Cara

Cara — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:20:56 +0000

Aren’t non-service dogs forbidden from food stores? I see what appear to be companion dogs, (usually with their overweight owners) shopping at Safeway, Olivers etc. They need the dog to shop?
There is absolutely no reason a pet owner needs to take their pet into the food store, deli, restaurant, etc.! If they don’t want to leave the pet in their vehicle- don’t take the pet along on the shopping trip. I don’t care how lonely, compassionate, deranged, or whatever the pet owner is, they do not need to have the animal with them at all times.
OK to bring pets to a pet store but a food store?

By: Charlyne

Charlyne — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:15:10 +0000

PS…and we start another goverment agency called Sonoma County PEOPLE Control…and everyone has to pass the GOOD CITIZEN TEST and get tagged before being allowed out in public (or on blog sites)

That way we can be assured we only rub shoulders with the “good guys” …and if we get all our foreheads tattoed..then we don’t have to worry about accidently covering up our “legal tags”.
Yes?

By: Charlyne

Charlyne — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:57:00 +0000

okay..how about this for an idea! Let’s make all the “human people” have legal tags too!
” Just a lonely person”
“REAL disabled person”
“Lazy person who takes advantage”
“Rich stuck up person that uses my showpiece dog”

This way..we can ALL be completely assured that we know everything we feel we need to know about absolutely anyone we see in public!

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:32:51 +0000

If my PET is not allowed, your pet is not allowed either. I don’t care why you have it with you. Sign says, dogs not allowed, Service dogs welcome.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:30:44 +0000

I see a person bring her dog to starbucks every day. This is a mutt with no vest identifying it as a “service dog”. It is merely a pet and she has starbucks employees shaking in their boots and completely afraid to even approach her about the dog. I raise guide dogs. I encouter these “service dogs/pets” in public and they are not well behaved. It is ridiculous that anyone can bring their dog into a establishment without having to identify the purpose/agency the dog is associated with.

By: Misty

Misty — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:13:25 +0000

you are right service dogs are needed for different reasons but the law states that service dogs are privileged. Disabilities are not a bad thing and isn’t the issue. Its the way people abuse the use of service dogs is. With out a marking, harness, Tag of some kind there is no way of knowing. Guide dogs have harnesses and vests. Disabled people who park in special parking spots have to have a special plate or tag in there window. So why is this an issue coming up that service dogs shouldn’t be marked. In the past they have been but recently so many people are useing there pets as Service dogs when its just loneliness. Real disable people deserve this right not lazy people that take advantage of the laws or the rich stuck up people who use there dogs as show pieces. Pets are loving animals and some have higher senses that are able to help people, most are just the family pet.

Not all owners are responsible and not all dogs are trained the same. So unless you plan on demanding a certain training you cant look at every dog the same. Behavior, temperment, training vary with breeds.

By: Jeff B

Jeff B — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:11:57 +0000

On a trip to Seattle about a year ago, traveling around with my Friend and his service dog was quite eye opening. We were seated and prompty ignored for 30 minutes at one restaurant. When we got up to leave, we got a snide “Sorry, its busy today.” We went to another restaurant down the street, and along with glasses of water for us, the waiter brought a bowl of water for the dog, without even so much as a second glance. The kitchen staff made our meal, and with the permission of the dog’s owner made a snack for the dog too, no charge. The wait staff, and kitchen staff were sure to greet the dog as we left, they clearly loved having the 4 legged service companion as their guest.