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Here’s Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst
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Here’s Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Service animals are vital companions to people with disabilities, diligently and selflessly helping them to live their lives with as much freedom as possible, and protecting them from harm. However, some people abuse the system and lie about their dog being a service dog, or get dubious certificates claiming they need ’emotional support’ based on the flimsiest of reasons. Remember the emotional support peacock?

This service dog trainer decided to vent her frustration about the situation, and used her experience and expertise to illustrate the difference between an actual, properly trained service dog and one that has been simply labeled as a service dog for its owner’s selfish convenience. “I have been working around dogs thanks to my family since I was very young,” Lex told Bored Panda. “I became a professional dog trainer almost 3 years ago. I now work for a service dog training organization.” Her own service dog, Faith, performs a variety of tasks which she lists here: “MEDICAL ALERT – Migraine alert – Panic attack alert GUIDE – Follow a person – Find an exit PSYCHIATRIC – Deep pressure therapy – Tactile stimulation – Self harm disruption – Block (front) – Cover me (back) MOBILITY – Retrieve dropped items.”

As you can see, real service dogs really do save lives. Not only is it dishonest, but phenomenon of ‘fake’ service animals is causing real problems to those who actually need them, making already difficult situations even more difficult. What is being done to change this situation? “There is, and as far as I know, a couple bills have been proposed to congress,” Lex told us. “However, it has been deemed that requiring such certification or licencing would be discriminatory and in violation of the ADA. Personally, I believe there needs to be a national certification and registration for LEGITIMATE service dogs trained to assist people with LEGITIMATE disabilities.”

Scroll down below to read Lex’s eloquent explanation below and let us know what you think in the comments. Do you have a service animal? Have you come across anyone with an obviously ‘fake’ one? Join the discussion!

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Tumblr user Trainingfaith is a service dog trainer. This is her service dog, Faith

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

She has become increasingly frustrated with people falsely claiming their pets as service animals

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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Here’s how people reacted to the informative post

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Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

Here's Why People With Fake Service Dogs Are The Worst

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emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically this, if you have to lie to get your way, then you are a horrible person. I get so sick and tired of people that lie, pretend and try to con people because they don't feel they should have to play by the rules like everyone else. And that jackass that said he went online and got his dog certified in 20 minutes...you knew it wasn't legit. The government needs to crack down on those websites and heavily fine anyone that falsely claims their dog is a service dog.

cometdragonfly avatar
Hannah Ingram
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently found out that fake valour was a thing, like why do you want to fake that?

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bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This infuriates me! I don't know how but there has to be a way to stop people from keeping fake service animals or at least to stop thighs from getting worse with more and more people with fake service animals around.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dogs were beutiful- friendly and loved everyone - but i would never in a million years have lied to take them into a premises - they loved everyone too much - which can be dangerouos and scary for people

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samshabadoo avatar
Your name
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a nurse and I worked in a prison for several years which happened to have a service dog training program for the inmates. It was extremely effective especially to promote good behavior from the inmates training the dogs and for those who got to interact with the dogs. One of the best things about being a nurse there was getting a call from my friends who were Sargents of the unit that they got a new puppy and then they would have an inmate bring them over (important for the puppies to socialize and it was a great part of my day). There was a women who faked having a service dog so she could bring her dog into the prison but we couldn't do anything about it. Her dog ended up attacking one of our dogs and she had to go to the vet. She refused to pay the vet bill and this evil b***h just kept bringing her dog in. I'm not sure what ended up happening but I know at the time, this was a few years ago, it was illegal to demand proof that she had a legit service dog.

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s just sad...not for the lady but for the dog! The poor dog was probably tortured and hurt...people like her shouldn’t have dogs unless it’s absolutely necessary.

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wil_vanderheijden avatar
Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sad part is that you CAN just register your dog as a servicedog. Just fill in the form, pay $55 and you're fine. No questions asks, no checks, no handing over any form of documentation issued by the government. We all know that accidents are just waiting to happen and we all can imagine the headlines: "Servicedog bites child in the face." "Man trips over servicedog in restaurant and breaks leg." "Customers chased out of supermarkt by out of control servicedog." In a country with so many laws and regulations nobody came up with the idea to regulate this?

sadiedm6 avatar
Thinairgal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely - regulation is sorely needed. It takes time, effort and money to develop a healthy, well- behaved, socialized PET! The standard for any service animal is far higher. There should be no "online degrees" I understand that there's a flip side - many people who desperately need a service animal cannot afford to have one. Any regulatory program is going to have to be accompanied by plans to address providing for these people. Otherwise, there'll always be a "black market" to meet the demand.

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jenjoycedavis avatar
Jen Davis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been told several tunes I should get my dog certified so I don’t have to pay for her to fly with me. Yes it’s an expense but she is NOT a trained service dog. So I pay. I was on a recent flight with my dog and it was a long haul flight. My dog has a bag that fits under the seat, I know the rules are to keep her in the bag which I do, but sometimes I unzip to calm her when she gets anxious, she stays in the bag but I put my hand in so she has comfort. An attendant came by to tell me I couldn’t do that because in the back section there was a service dog. I complied. When deplaning I saw this “service” dog was a toy poodle in a large bag not a dog carrier and was yipping at everyone in line. I paid a lot of money to travel with my dog and know they only allow a certain number of animals on flights, this person took up a spot for someone that may have needed to fly with their service animal. Again I don’t mind paying for my dog as she is part of our family.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When your emotional support animal gets more anxious than you at where you are taking it - thats a whole new problem

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katejameson7 avatar
Kate
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the freaking add that popped up below the comments on this article omfg. I mean I know it's there because of keywords picked up on in the article, but the irony is still too much for me. But Thank you for this story--It really is an hugely important issue!!! Screen-Sho...ce-png.jpg Screen-Shot-2018-08-13-at-95124-AM-5b718d7d69ace-png.jpg

sadiedm6 avatar
Thinairgal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much! Great catch, Kate - I never even notice the ads anymore.

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liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no need to take your dog into a business premesis unless you are truly disabled in some way and if you are your dog will be trained to behave. As for other animals or pets just NO.

cassiewilliams avatar
Cassie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have anxiety. I understand the desire for an ESA. However, if I can't go into a business without the crutch of an animal not trained for such things, then I simply avoid going into that business or I find alternative support, like a fidget gizmo tucked in my pocket. I don't get why people feel the need to inconvenience others with their problems.

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bastroputkd avatar
Robin O'connor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a service dog, I'm terrified that some fake service dog will attack my $20,000 boy, I am disabled and unable to protect him. My life and Independence rely on him. He's the reason I am able to go out and do live on my own. I'm required to be able to demonstrate annually that I make sure he's healthy and parasite free. This is important for animals allowed where food for human consumption is. We also don't go out when it's raining, this is a courtesy, not a rule, no one likes the smell of a wet dog. .

sommers_lillian avatar
Lillian Sommers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work for a major grocery chain in a really affluent area and the BS people pull to drag in their yappy little purse dogs and hyper active labs really pisses me off. I love dogs don't get me wrong, I have two and if I could take them everywhere I would! But I've seen these folks feeding their dogs from salad bars or jumping up on produce displays, and it's so unsanitary. It would be unsanitary if a human did it, let alone a dog. There are signs and all we can do is ask and if they lie, we have to believe them. But you know when a legit service dog is in the building. It's like night and day.

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sad part is is that people who do actually have emotional support dogs like me (he is a havanese and I love him very much) are constantly being questioned. I do have my dogs papers proving that he is in fact an emotional support dog (and mind you he is very well trained, when I walk he was, when I stop he sits, absolutely doesn’t beg, and doesn’t ask for attention from strangers) and it’s frustrating having to dig them out all the time. It’s not just service dogs who are having trouble, and that’s the sad part. I wish people would stop faking it and go to dog friendly places if they don’t have a legitimate service/emotional support dog.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there should be something that could just be attached to the collar of legitimate service dogs - that cant just be bought over the nternet by anyone who doesnt have a legitamate service dog

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maddi_050203 avatar
LOttawa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course I would love to bring my dog with me everywhere, the fact that she's a lab and they are known to be service dog, would make this very easy, but I don't, it's wrong, people out there really need them and there is no need to make this harder on them.

rimsey avatar
Yoli Lawrence
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia we don’t have this problem as ‘emotional support animals’ don’t ‘exist’. I mean they do, but if you want to use them in the public FOR that reason, they have to be fully certified as as SERVICE animal. There is no middle ground... your pooch, puss, or peacock has to be able to work under the strict rules and regs of the service animal industry standard or you don’t get to use them. If you want to use them at home or in places where other pets are allowed... fine. But not anywhere else.

andrew_joseph_barrett avatar
birdhouse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So how do we fix the problem? Maybe the dog should get an i.d. similar to a driver's license when the are certified that you can show??

westwingpotus avatar
westwing
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only reason to own a pet is because it makes you smile, brings you comfort, makes you feel loved, makes you feel calmer, gives you solice, so really, ALL pets are emotional support animals. But the fact that little FiFi makes you happy doesn’t make her a service animal. Service animals are actually trained to provide a service, hence the name, and assist if one is blind, deaf, have epilepsy, PTSD or other conditions.

catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read a local story a couple years ago, where a man was complaining about unfair treatment at a local outdoor event. There are signs clearly posted "no pets allowed other than service animals." Well, he shows up with his dog, and the Police tell him he can't bring the dog in. He starts a major scene about it, and rufuses to leave, claiming this is his "service dog." He has no proof, no orange vest on the dog, etc. After reading the story, it becomes clear that he was lying. He granted the interview, in the belief that people would take his side. He just made a fool of himself, and gave everyone a good laugh.

c_oriordan avatar
Cherie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do have to admit that while I find the fake service animal reprehensible, I do secretly love it when my seat on an airplane is next to a dog.

p-sapirstein avatar
Pearl Sapirstein
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This INFURIATES me more than most service animal owners... I have an emotional support parrot. She is well trained (litter trained, quiet, and has been taught how to notice an oncoming panic attack and respond to it) and I use her for my anxiety and depression. Of course, when people like this are so awful, the first thing that will happen is that I will get banned from flights, ect. I haven’t even been able to get a ESA liscense because my therapist said the liability risk for her was too much as there have been such bad incidents and press around ESA’s. :(

danetterivera avatar
Danette Rivera
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only from a frequent flyer standpoint. I am happy to pay all the costs required by the airlines to fly my small dog with me, in an approved kennel. The poblem I have encountered is the many airlines which will not longer accept animals in the cabin for international flights, except service animals. What would you have me do? My dog is very important to me and my emotional well-being. And well mannered. I think the airlines have brought some of these problems for themselves.

mrsbox2 avatar
Becky Box
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Managers ARE allowed to ask what service the animals do for the person. If a dog is unruly, pees, etc on the floor, they can be told to leave. Emotional support animals are NOT the same as service animals. They have no extra right except for being allowed to live in a pet free rental home.

dr_cherihayes avatar
Dr. Cheri Hayes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a chronic illness and am unable to go places by myself sometimes. I usually have my husband or a friend or relative go with me, in case I need help while I'm out. I went to buy some shoes a few months ago, and a woman was in the store with a dog. She went down the same aisle that I was on and her dog jumped on me and nipped at me. I didn't approach the dog or do anything to provoke it. I asked her why she had her dog in the store, because the sign at the front of the store said 'no pets'. Her dog had no discernible indication that it was a service dog, so I assumed it was a pet. She said it was her service dog and that she could do what she wanted. She berated me in front of the entire store, as well as her husband and children. I got very angry, but I stayed outwardly calm and told her that it would be helpful if she controlled her dog so that it wouldn't jump and nip at others. I went to the store manager, who did nothing. So I left. That was not a service dog.

jen_hunt_9250 avatar
Alethia Nyx
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It honestly baffles me that so few people seem to know how to interact (or not interact) with service dogs, and how to behave around them. I was taught when I was in Kindergarten (actually in class, not just at that age) how to treat service/guide dogs, how not to pat them when they were working, to respect them and what to do if I ever happened to see one without its handler with it. It's only in the last few years that I actually discovered that apparently this knowledge isn't the norm, that many grown adults don't actually know not to pat etc. a service dog. I think there needs to be a lot more education in schools about it.

zori-i-iana avatar
Zori the degu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I vividly remember my first encounter with a real service dog. I was in 4th grade, going downstairs with my classmates after a gym class and a new student was coming upstairs to visit the vice principal along with her parents. I immediately pitied her, for she was blind, when suddenly, I noticed her service dog, a handsome black lab. I smiled as I walked by but didn't touch her, for it somehow didn't seem right. All my classmates however "drowned" the small group like a huge wave, cooing and petting the poor dog, whose eyes widened in panic. I was so angry with them, but because I was the know-it-all weirdo no one ever listens to, I didn't say a word. Nobody ever told me it's not right to pet a service dog. It was just common sense everyone should have. But the don't, cause people are hopelessly dumb.

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hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an area where it seems as if every woman has some sort of toy poodle yapping in her LV bag. It's to the point where my friend accidentally stepped in dog poo while waiting in line to check out at Barnes & Noble. I can't stand it. It's obvious that most of these animals are not service dogs/pets. They're accessories, like jewelry or

hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoes. Furthermore, when the animals start to become unruly, their owners just ignore them, preferring to shout at each other in order to continue a conversation. If you attempt to talk to the owners about how annoying their animals are, they'll instantly yap back; "My dog /cat/ ferret etc ... is my emotional support tool! I can't exist without him/her." Right! Of course you can't. I'm sorry you're so ill so as to need a service animal with you 24/7. Due to your illness, I completely understand that you cannot be responsible for cleaning up after your animal / calming them down because that would cause anxiety. So sorry to bother you." SMH.

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bianca_whitefox avatar
Bianca WhiteFox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbors in the apartment next door had a husky puppy that would howl, cry, and be in great distress all day and sometimes even at 5:30 AM or 11 PM. The neighbors (a couple in their early 20s) were always gone, and I honestly didn't ever see them take the dog for any walks. I tried to get the landlords to do something, and they said all they could do was gently remind them to keep the dog quiet, which did nothing. Technically, it was an emotional support dog. But it was still upsetting that they were leaving it alone all day and letting it cry. Who was it supporting if no one was ever there and if they didn't even take it with them? I actually think they used this as an excuse to waive the $500 deposit required to have a pet in this apartment complex. The neighbors ended up moving, but I feel so bad for that husky and I hope it's not still being neglected.

cassiewilliams avatar
Cassie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Service animal rules need to be re-evaluated to protect real service dogs and create separate rules for ESAs that limit their impact on service animals.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A law to make things easier, by not making disabled people have to provide proof, then making it harder for them by people abusing the system. So maddening!

lcwwak avatar
Linda Carter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s b******t. I see it all the time in Alaska. People take their untrained dog everywhere and call them service dogs. They should have a criminal record for such abuse. But no people are so ignorant about such trained working dogs. And they call their s******g on the plane yapping annoying dog a service dog. Put their a*s in jail. It’s like impersonating a police officer.

sagould avatar
S A GOULD
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well-written article with examples that show how people who take advantage of the irregularities in the system, ruin it for *everyone.*

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started. I manage an apartment building and I HATE esa's. It's a scam people use and it diminishes how people perceive real service animals.

i82much99 avatar
Laura Pantazis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like an easy solution to this would be to have two types of service animal vests - those with the emotional support and those with the actual medical support. Businesses would have to allow in the medical support under the ADA, but could have the option to accept or refuse the ESA vests. It really seems like that would make things easier for everyone.

sweetangelce04 avatar
Christina Sersif
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know what's really sad? I read this and literally the ad at the top of this page is "find out if your pet is an emotional support animal in 3 easy steps" SMH

huckleberrycatfish avatar
Joe Clark
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The author's argument is that real service dogs are more well-behaved than fake service. But since there in no official certification process, there are no real service dogs or fake service dogs. The service dog business is unregulated.

ohjojo62 avatar
Joanna Werman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my PTSD service dog an ID online just to shut people up. It is exhausting educating people and often just being asked if he is a service dog is enough for me to get triggered only because it happens all the time. Even when he wears a patch saying PTSD (and yes, that is embarrassing for me but necessary.) But my dog does his job just fine while still being petted by strangers. Actually, it helps me to be able to talk to a stranger if they focus more on the dog than on me. We are all different and one person's experience with their service dog is not necessarily the same as another's, just saying......

wobygong89 avatar
Nicole Stone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By law an employee is allowed to ask 2 questions: is the dog a service animal and what service does your animal provide. If they say it's an ESA it is NOT protected under the ADA and they can be asked to leave. A service is a medical alert, seeing eye dog, etc. but not for "emotional support". I'm sick and tired of going into a grocery store, grab a cart, and then see someone with a loud a*s chihuahua yipping at people because someone feels lonely and didnt want to leave their dog at home. That's gross, I put my food in those carts. All someone has to do is pull out their fake online certificate or their doctor's note and they act like they can't be touched. Some cities do have service animal licences but they are not enforced since the ADA states that a service animal doesn't need to be licensed. The law needs to be reviewed and changed to protect the real service animals doing their job.

wobygong89 avatar
Nicole Stone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do want to point out that ESA are protected under the Fair Housing Authority so are allowed when accompanied with a doctors letter if the landlord says no pets, doesnt mean they can go into any store they damn well please

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loulie avatar
Ditto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've registered my dog as an emotional support animal so I could stay in an apartment that didn't allow pets. Scummy move I know but I can't live without her. But I did make sure she was calm and didn't make a mess of the apartment. I almost never took her out to restaurants and stores with me out of fear of looking like a jerk if she got too excited. I've realized that was a mistake and moved to a different apartment a few months back, Thank you for binging light to this subject.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There really needs to be some system for officially certifying service dogs - it is getting ridiculous. My dog would bring me my slippers when I asked - would that count?? Also - Emotional Support animals should need so sort of medical certificate from a doctor - people take their ducks and pigs on planes fgs

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually have papers for my dog, because I made sure I got them. I wasn’t going to be presented as a faker because I’m not

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lisa7377 avatar
Jaded McQueen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dogs are not the problem.....PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM. PERIOD.

peterpage avatar
Peter Page
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About 12% of the population are allergic to dogs. About 50% of the population have been attacked by dogs seriously enough to require medical attention. I do not have a statistic for what proportion of the population does not feel safe around dogs, but they exist. All these people have a right to be and feel safe. How can anyone, or group, claim a right that dismisses the rights of those who are not, or do not feel safe around dogs? A rights respecting society finds a way to achieve mutual respect and accommodation. These fraudulent service dog owners are intolerably disrespectful of others' rights. I find it encouraging to see our governments increasingly stopping this shameful abuse of rights.

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know they aren't allowed but my brother wants to sign up his snake as an emotional support animal so he can take it to college because my parents or his friends won't take it. I would but two years in I'd have to hand it to someone else to take care of it. Ps the snake is docile and has only bitten my mom when it was her feeding day and she didn't have food with her. She just tried to take it out. She didn't bleed! The snake will stay in your pocket, around your neck, and in your hoody hood. So it won't be a nuisance and climb over things.

kaisermom2000 avatar
Jackie Butts
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So basically, a real service dog (who is properly trained) needs to have a Federally issued I.D. and all the other "service" dogs need to complete the proper training to be considered service dogs and get the same I.D. NO EXCEPTIONS. Your fluffy little toy dog (or turkey) might be emotional support to you, but it's causing grief for the dogs who had to actually go to school and learn how to behave correctly. Any dog can be trained, and if not... it is not an appropriate service dog.

lynndebeal avatar
Lynn DeBeal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are the same kind of thieves that lie in order to get handicapped parking plaqacards. And people say we don't come from chimps? Here's your sign.

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Lazy Panda
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Ivana
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You still have to have some type of medical certification to have your pet registered as an emotional support animal. Sounds like people trying to delegitimize mental illness by claiming that a physical illness is more valid. Do people lie and say they have an animal that is for emotional support? Yes, but people lie that their dog is a medical alert dog. Kind of s****y to shame people who have a mental illness.

jenjonke avatar
Jen Jonke
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog is ESA. I got him registered four years ago when someone with some issue complained that he was a "dangerous breed" and my apartment complex that I had been living in for months said he had to go. Doesn't matter where, just out, although he had done nothing but be born brindle, strong and with almond shaped eyes. I've battled depression with bouts of ED over the years, I work from home, and I mostly despise humans. If I didn't have my dog, I would most likely NEVER leave my home. He gives me exercise, he gives me joy, he makes me hate less. I never claim he's service, he's not, but he is my only reason for living. I've never abused the law, I've used ESA to make sure my life can be with me in certain apartment complexes that see "pit bull" as the worst thing in the world.

mr_re-in-act-ment avatar
Mr. Re-in-act-ment
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen a service dog but I do know it might or could be very rude to ask a person that has a service dog that you know is a service dog to be petted. On the other hand the only dogs i see are my own, friends, or the ones i meet during my walks with my dog ( MY OPINION )Therefore, people take a great thing that has been invented for the better and greater of this world like service dogs an then turn it into basic hell. One bad apple in the batch turns everything sour.

soriana313 avatar
Sori
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

since having my rescue dog, she has been drastically helped me deal with depression and anxiety, however i doubt she would be a good service dog... after reading this makes me feel like its wouldn't be wise to register her as a support dog?

sheyennehansen avatar
Sheyenne Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get her marked as an emotional support dog since that's what she does. All you would need for that is a note from a doctor or a therapist. Keep in mind, emotional support animals are allowed to live in rental places that don't usually allow animals and on planes, not in public places that don't typically allow dogs.

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diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think large stores should have a dog creche - where people can leave leave thir digs knowing a trained person is keeping watch over them for an hour - you see so many lovely dogs tied to lamposts - anxious and alone and scared cos they dont have a human - no wonder they may growl bark and snap and someone who comes near them

sophiassuperfan avatar
Sophia's Superfan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can get the benefits of a service dog by getting your dog registered as an emotional support animal https://youtube.com/shorts/XNsBlgmVtAA?feature=share

sylverfox9 avatar
Eds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On a flight this summer a young woman with a service dog was seated across the aisle from my 6yr old dog loving daughter and me. The dog laid down under the seat and didn't make a peep the entire flight. Thanks to an article similar to this that I read to my daughter a year or two ago, I have been able to educate my daughter that we don't bother a service dog when it is working. Sometimes reading something sticks in her head better than just something mommy tells her not to do. A pleasant flight was had by all. Now my neighbors have an "emotional support dog" that just barks all the time. Constantly. Anytime it is outside. He has a collar that says "support dog" or something like that. My dog will just look at him in annoyance.

katellan75 avatar
Charity Phillips
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At my local Walmart, they have just given up. They won't ask anyone about any pet, ever. They're afraid to be sued. I saw someone walk in with a puppy once, who flat out told another customer it was not any kind of service dog. It was a new puppy that they didn't want to leave home alone while they shipped because it would be sad and miss them too much. The greeter heard the whole story and said nothing.

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Craig Reynolds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has now reached a point where people are taking their dogs with them wherever they go. Supermarkets, independent businesses, restaurants, shopping malls and not even claiming they are anything. They just assume that because others get away with it, they can too, and in most cases (usually shopping malls) no one even questions them.

lrkrstllptg avatar
Lara Kristelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of a scene from B99 wherein one of the folks from the 98th precinct brought his "service dog" and sits across Amy who's deathly allergic to dogs. Then it was later revealed (during a squabble) it's not an actual service dog but his pet he likes to bring anywhere.

ealizabethane avatar
Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really bothers me, I once had an experience where a blind lady had her dog with her in a grocery store. Another lady in the line asked to pet the dog, she said no. Lady went ahead and pet the dog anyway, causing the blind lady to move forward, without knowing the dog was being held back by the "petter', blind lady fell, required an ambulance and stitches, police came and said no charge could be laid but they were quite annoyed that they couldn't charge the "petter". I've seen people walk up and start petting the dog without asking permission, this just leads to problems for the dog.

saradagrape avatar
Sarah Grape
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it should be illegal to fake in more places. and maybe people with legit dogs should have doctor's notes? I know it's against the law to ask for them and you shouldn't have to carry them around, but it could solve problems even if no one expects you to

mmartha61 avatar
Martha Murphy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like dogs, but they don't belong in grocery stores or restaurants unless they have been trained to behave as Gerda's real support dog behaves. I would never ask to pet someone's support animal when it is on duty.

mariposa1979-dc avatar
Renee C.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A man where I live did this, apparently they even sell the service dog vests on Wish. His dog would bite people's feet on the bus, etc. But he got away with it because he was a "service dog".

sheila_lynn avatar
Sheila Simonson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

to all the fakes they sell baby security blankets, stuffed animals, baby dolls, and pacifiers for all you superficial, just want attention whinny babies. leave the real stuff to the people who really need them.

juliet_bravo avatar
Jill Bussey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for clarifying this. It's slightly different in the UK, but yes, there are people who falsely claim their animals are support. I will look now to see how they behave and if the animal is plainly not "on duty" as you describe, I will complain to the store.

vt_shinomi avatar
Shinomi Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having fake ANYTHING is already wrong, but something like this? KNOWING some people actually NEED service dogs?? This is just rude and inconsiderate.

owlpayson avatar
Owl Payson
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend who I was talking about things like this with and mentioned certain autistic people need service dogs for things like anxiety attacks. He got really excited and thought since any animal can become a service animal he could certify his bunny so she can go in restraunt. His bunny is extremely jittery, very poopy, and loves to run around randomly and scratch/nip everyone. She will also eat anything in front of her without thinking. He has had anxiety issues once or twice since I met him. I have ocd, mild depression, stress related self harming issues, and extreme anxiety attacks fairly regularly in the scheme of thinks related to high levels of hypersensitivity and routine issues related to my autism and attacks from my ocd. I would need one far far more than him but guess what, a it’s not nessasy and b most animals often frighten me meaning untrained animals can worsen it with there activity and barking. I did eventually explain it but come on

jennifer_roth avatar
Sodom
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im getting more sick of people that go to, like a hot dog stand, for hours and drink alcohol and the dog lays straight there the hole time. Same for taking a dog to a bar or pub. Sorry but thats not okay cause with a human you (shouldnt) dont do that too or ??

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feel free to downvote I'm okay with it just relaying some info to you guys. Totally not offended by it if you do

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also believe that he will probably sneak the snake in anyway. Ps the snake scares me but nagini (the snake from Harry Potter) I know it will never hurt me

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I completely agree with you guys that I shouldn't be allowed but seriously my brother has touched its face without it biting him and he won't let others touch it so it won't cause people to ask to touch others support dogs

edwardreedbristol avatar
Darryl Kerrigan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What horrible dog owners. Who's allowed an emotional support dog? Are they for depressed people? I like that, less reliance on pharmaceuticals (sic)...

hjdashiell avatar
Helen Dashiell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother and father in law, while otherwise good people, pull this c**p. They always feel their dog should go where they go so they got the certification or whatever to state their dog is a service dog. They get their panties in a wad at any store or restaurant that tells them they cant bring their dog in.

perrygornick avatar
Perry Gornick
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seen both sides of the argument, people with legitimate service dogs and those with fake service dogs. It's no different from people with handicapped placards, there are those who will game the system and others who are honest about their disability. Sadly, our government institutions need extreme oversite to ensure the rules are being adhered to. They need to be held accountable 24/7 - 365.

suecornwall avatar
Sue Cornwall
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do carry my documentation with me. Including my perscription that I have seizures. It’s complicated because I have a very small dog. But my husband once said “you’ll be sorry when my wife has a seizure and injures herself and others. Because the dog didn’t warn her so she could lie down. And then there’s the following lawsuit worked well. Now I say that it’s only happened 3-4 times

suecornwall avatar
Sue Cornwall
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I now carry my service dog , including perscription, documentation with me. I agree with all of you who have service dogs and have to take the push back. I do tell restaurant owners and others that if the dog does not behave well they dont have to accept them. Not sure this is legal. I have an additional problem because my alert dog is small so people are more suspicious. My husband once said “you’ll be really sorry when my wife has a seizure and injures herself and others because she doesn’t know to lie down before the seizure”

brijames avatar
bri james
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I have run into, is owners of not very nice pitbulls use the setvice/companion dog to by pass the weight limits of rental appartments then all the rest of us walking our under 20 lbs dogs have to deal with this ill mannered pit, that someone was able to bring into the complex and management can do nothing till the dogs bites someone

gracesings avatar
Grace Wiebe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It also helps when the public is aware of what a real Service Dog looks like. Generally, when they're working, they're "in uniform" & their behaviour reflects that they're on the clock. They don't ask to be pet, either. Any dog that the owner claims is working that is asking you for attention is NOT a Service Dog. Service Dogs are out in public, therefore ALL the public should be made aware of the criteria so that this sort of misrepresentation has less of a chance to happen & also, so that the public gives the Service Dog proper respect.

fluffyjellybean avatar
To Blave
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Petted, not pet. And don't be an a*****e with a fake service dog.

sbagci avatar
S Bagci
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if the owner allows you to put the dog, its not a service dog but a fake ?

krystalthompson avatar
Kip The Otter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She meant that if the dog is sitting there practically begging for you to pet them then they're probably not a service dog.

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Pattie Kelly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick solution just carry a card that says your dog is a service dog with a picture of the dog on it. I have a service dog and when I need to go somewhere I just show them the card and all is good. Don't try to make things more difficult for you just because the government says you don't need to show ID for service dogs. You spend more time defending your situation that makes your more frustrated. People who own a business just wants to know your dog is OK to come in. There are people that take advantage of this. But the only people they are fooling is themselves. I have been doing dog therapy for over ten years.

seanbigham avatar
Sean Bigham
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my dog when she was 4, and had been trained by her previous owner. For the next 3 years I worked with her and eventually had her certified as a service animal. I have trained animals most of my life for working animals; horses, dogs, even cats, and this was the first and only dog I have worked as a service animal. She is 14 years old now and still travels with me 90% of the time I go anywhere. She is so much more than a service animal to me now, more than a pet, more than family. No one can say any different. She is an extension of myself and there to help me.

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Service dogs are extremely expensive in Australia, talking at least one thousand dollars. Getting one starts with Doctor's letter, and then gets more complicated. Except for seeing eye dogs for the blind, They come from a center that only does that. Those are free to the Blind person. but the waiting list is long. We do not seem to have the " i trained my dog to be a service dog" problem usa has.

marian-latimer avatar
Marian Latimer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a real service dog in train still. Since I live in a small town I never see any problems. On the other hand I don't feel the need to take her everywhere and force her into places that make ppl uncomfortable. She is so funny if someone pets her when she has her vest on. I can almost hear her think, fine...but I won't enjoy it. (Her breed hates the top of their head touched anyway). I always try to explain why they shouldn't touch her when she is working. I usually tell ppl my issues and her job is to try to alert, if not then to protect me and my belongings. When we are at work she can relax and be friendly if she wants. My clients know they can pet her unless she is on my heel, then she is working. I get annoyed when I read about fake handlers with attitude. . But in the long run, I don't care what anyone else says. I don't want ppl to be scared of her.

jlhall13 avatar
porcupine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trained ESA dogs can be naughty too. 3 years ago, I fell asleep with my 11-year-old service dog in my lap on a red-eye flight. Woke up to a very upset stewardess over the intercom asking whose dog had wandered into first class. Still one of my favorite stories about him now that he’s gone. The scariest part was that it was a United flight... Not suggesting it’s the right thing to do, but if that French bulldog puppy had had a fake vest, he’d probably still be alive.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

have to say this - my dogs woould have died for me - they protected me they slept by my side every night - snored bt my ears - but i couoldnt take them anywhere - but for some reason they loved the vets --- they were service dogs only in the way they kepyt me sane during a difficult time

i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

didn't even read the article, as if we needed a reason. they have fake service dogs, i think there's a visceral, deep knowledge that these are f****d up people

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just keep small uneducaed children away frow large dogs

skadilifdis avatar
Skadi Lifdis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was talking about dogs with a customer. She had her dog with her (my store allows all dogs in the store). I had mentioned how a few months earlier I had been told by an employee at another store I couldn't bring my dog in the store (which no one else had said and it's not posted anywhere). She then tells me I can go register my dog as a service animal online and then I can bring him everywhere. I was appalled. I love my dogs but they are pets. It's a slap in the face to everyone who actually needs and has a legit service dog and I told her as much. Real service animals are a necessity for their people for a variety of reasons. People who pass off pets as service animals are selfish. This is a great article explaining the difference between the two.

magrudzinski avatar
Mark Grudzinski
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The abuse of this angers me to no end. My wife briefly worked with a woman who had a fake one and her and her dog were both nightmares. Need tighter regulations for sure.

elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth Lord Cary
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish more people understood what a real service dog is, how they act. I was an event organizer and the fake service dogs were always a huge hassle meanwhile the real dogs were a joy even if we could only admire from afar.

misterscooter avatar
Misterscooter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are people who read this and know it is talking about them. They're dirtbags. And those that don't think this is talking about them because they think they are different. Another kind of d-bag.

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here is some info about the real thing: http://usdogregistry.org/information/information-on-service-dogs/

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I lived in Scotland there was a town close by (Forfar) which had a huge service dog training centre - for the blind mainly - and you knew they were genuine working dogs and everyone knew you shouldnt be trying to pet them or distract them from their training and wonderful work

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am lucky where I live in that pretty much every eatery allows dogs - we are a tourist area for outdoor stuff and many people bring their dogs. All the local public houses have slate floors and dogs are welcome. There is even a pub/resteurant (Skelwith Bridge Hotel) that has it's own menu just for dogs

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that place has csrpet - but they are large carpet tiles that can be quickly removed and replaced in the case of an accident

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monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make it illegal to A: Sell fake "certifications" for "service" dogs that are not trained as such and also to B. Use such fake "service" dog "certificates" in order to simply get away with what would otherwise not be allowed. This is so symptomatic of the "Choose Your Own Truth" mentality that produced the "alternative truths" of the present White House. These people will have to have their noses rubbed in their lies to understand that there is a real difference between right and wrong. We all learned it in kindergarten: Be nice to each other, Don' cheat, and Hold hands when you cross the street! :-)

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forgot to add . . . only in America. WTF kind of scumbag came up with the ·$·%/(& idea to sell fake servicedog certification?

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chantalputrus avatar
jasmine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

holy f**k what world do we live in where people are panicking about a dog in a grocery store. we live in a generation of f*****g snow flakes, get off your damn high horse, it’s a f*****g dog it’s not gonna eat you.

adrianacoppage avatar
Bird lover
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some dogs are violent and their owners call them ¨service dogs¨ as an excuse to let their dog potentially harm others and if it's big enough, and you are small enough, it might eat you. So I suggest that you stop being such a damn jerk.

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Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stupid... why should people have to lie about this? Why can't people just bring their damn dogs to restaurants and wherever the hell they need to go. I'd rather see dogs than screaming babies or kids running around like they are in a playground. Besides service dogs come on all different forms, some are purely for helping people who suffer from mental illness. I doubt that they would need to go through any kind of training...

johnmy avatar
John Myers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never had a small child maul my leg because I stepped between them or the item they were looking at. Or you get dogs that both want to be Alpha, and then it gets ugly. I understand the sense of peace that comes from your devoted pet, but if they are not trained strictly, it is a problem waiting to happen, and it could be personally and financially devastating.

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Ry Keener
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in grocery and we 'are not allowed to ask' if a dog is a service dog or not, and yet we have signs saying, 'only service animals; no pets'. But what is a rule if it can't or inst enforced? It's not. So we end up with all kinds of dogs in the store. I love dogs, and I love the work animals do to support their humans! I just wish there were better solutions to knowing the difference between the ones who are working and those who are pets.

annettvikstrand avatar
Annett Vikstrand
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is silly that real service animals do not need a sertificate, and that it is not allowed to ask for one. They should have sertificates that only they could get, so that the fake ones get found out.

noitallman avatar
noitall man
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A special collar that is easily identified with a special tag that you can only get when a dog is fully certified. that would eliminate all of this.

sheyennehansen avatar
Sheyenne Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except no certification is required for service dogs. Not everyone who has a SD gets them professionally trained as the ADA doesn't require it. And they can't require it because it costs a lot of money to train them and not all disabled people have that kind of money.

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you really need to take a peacock on the New YorkSubway 9per a previous article) for "emotional support" you really need alot of help

bzap724 avatar
MBZ MetalsmithArtist
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that the peacock person was a performance artist -and they were using the ridiculous example of a "service peacock" in trying to make the same point about the problems of fake service animals...

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wellsea7 avatar
We'llSee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see this differently I guess, I have a small dog, hes my heart, I can't take him into stores that don't approve of all pets, we go in pet stores etc, where all animals are able to go. I'd love nothing more than to have him with me, I do suffer from PTSD, I do not take a ton of meds , I'm in a fight many times a week to be able to do "normal" things.. I could never afford a "real" service emotional support dog, not in a million years, so for those like me who would love to have this service but we will never have it, I can see people being desperate for help, no, I'm no way, saying one should break the law, and to those just wanting their "pet" by them thats just wrong. I've found, I simply avoid a lot of places or going anywhere when I'm having a really rough day. Its just part of my life. I wish, in a perfect world, these services would be available to all those who need it.

cookie avatar
Cookie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Malaysia and service dogs are not allowed in shops or on public transport because they are haram.

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Brittany Coolican
Community Member
5 years ago

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Oh my god, you classist f***s. Get over yourselves. There is a difference between service animal and companion animal and both should be able to be taken in and out of restaurants/grocery stores/etc. For many people that IS there only emotional connection to the world. You guys are all so smug and arrogant because you see the poor and the homeless with their emotional support animals and you think you're better than them. I work at a library that is in a downtown area and has hundereds of people who come in and out everyday and SO MANY OF THEM WITH COMPANION DOGS and only RARELY do we ever have to give a warning to the owners. In fact if more people were allowed to better socialize their animals, maybe the chances of the animal hurting something would drastically reduce!?

pomeranianhugger avatar
Lazy Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you joking? I don't even know where to start with this train wreck but I'll do my best. First of all, classist doesn't even apply here! At least search up the definition before using it, service dog and non service dog owners are not two different economic classes. Both should absolutely not be taken to grocery stores/restaurants. Service dogs are trained to remain calm in stores/restaurants and will not attack, bark at or lunge at other people/dogs and will not sniff at the food either, regular companion dogs can be unruly and noisy, they will also sniff at food in stores which is gross for whoever may be buying a fruit or something like that that a dog rubbed its nose on. Some people are also afraid/allergic to dogs so dogs entering everyday public places should be kept at a minimum most of the time. If you need to bring your dog with you for emotional issues that is an ESA which is A FORM OF SERVICE ANIMAL but only applies to people with severe anxiety and such

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Rose the Cook
Community Member
5 years ago

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Having a back to front moment there I meant premises.

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Greg T
Community Member
5 years ago

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Clickbait title clickbaited me. I guess "Two examples of people people gaming the system" wouldn't get enough clicks haha! It sucks how people do this c**p though, how hard would it be to have those certificates given out by Veterinarians?

lornegreen1986 avatar
Whatevers not taken
Community Member
5 years ago

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First let me say don't believe the hype in this woman's story. Not only did you not say what medical condition you suffer from the only thing you said was that your dog is a medical alert dog. Medical alert for what? Do you have amnesia or is it narcolepsy or is it a well behaved service dog that you just like having around. My guess is the latter. I like your story but also hate people who are hypocrites. If your blind and have a dog then yes its a service dog. People who need these animals for emotional support b******t, get your life's together, grow up, and stop throwing little fits everywhere.

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago

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what even counts as an "Emotional Support Animal"?? - th fact that you will be upset if you cant take it anywhere you want?

loulie avatar
Ditto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its for people with mental disorders like anxiety and depression, I've registered my dog as an ESA so I could keep her when I needed to get into an apartment that didn't allow pets for my bipolar disorder.

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Joe Clark
Community Member
5 years ago

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Actually, there is no such thing as a fake service dog because there is no official certification process for service dogs. You can't have a fake version of something if that is no official real one.

bobbinewell avatar
Bobbi Newell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrong Joe. The difference can be seen in the training and behavior of the animal, which was the whole point of the article.

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emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically this, if you have to lie to get your way, then you are a horrible person. I get so sick and tired of people that lie, pretend and try to con people because they don't feel they should have to play by the rules like everyone else. And that jackass that said he went online and got his dog certified in 20 minutes...you knew it wasn't legit. The government needs to crack down on those websites and heavily fine anyone that falsely claims their dog is a service dog.

cometdragonfly avatar
Hannah Ingram
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently found out that fake valour was a thing, like why do you want to fake that?

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Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This infuriates me! I don't know how but there has to be a way to stop people from keeping fake service animals or at least to stop thighs from getting worse with more and more people with fake service animals around.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dogs were beutiful- friendly and loved everyone - but i would never in a million years have lied to take them into a premises - they loved everyone too much - which can be dangerouos and scary for people

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samshabadoo avatar
Your name
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a nurse and I worked in a prison for several years which happened to have a service dog training program for the inmates. It was extremely effective especially to promote good behavior from the inmates training the dogs and for those who got to interact with the dogs. One of the best things about being a nurse there was getting a call from my friends who were Sargents of the unit that they got a new puppy and then they would have an inmate bring them over (important for the puppies to socialize and it was a great part of my day). There was a women who faked having a service dog so she could bring her dog into the prison but we couldn't do anything about it. Her dog ended up attacking one of our dogs and she had to go to the vet. She refused to pay the vet bill and this evil b***h just kept bringing her dog in. I'm not sure what ended up happening but I know at the time, this was a few years ago, it was illegal to demand proof that she had a legit service dog.

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s just sad...not for the lady but for the dog! The poor dog was probably tortured and hurt...people like her shouldn’t have dogs unless it’s absolutely necessary.

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wil_vanderheijden avatar
Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sad part is that you CAN just register your dog as a servicedog. Just fill in the form, pay $55 and you're fine. No questions asks, no checks, no handing over any form of documentation issued by the government. We all know that accidents are just waiting to happen and we all can imagine the headlines: "Servicedog bites child in the face." "Man trips over servicedog in restaurant and breaks leg." "Customers chased out of supermarkt by out of control servicedog." In a country with so many laws and regulations nobody came up with the idea to regulate this?

sadiedm6 avatar
Thinairgal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely - regulation is sorely needed. It takes time, effort and money to develop a healthy, well- behaved, socialized PET! The standard for any service animal is far higher. There should be no "online degrees" I understand that there's a flip side - many people who desperately need a service animal cannot afford to have one. Any regulatory program is going to have to be accompanied by plans to address providing for these people. Otherwise, there'll always be a "black market" to meet the demand.

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Jen Davis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been told several tunes I should get my dog certified so I don’t have to pay for her to fly with me. Yes it’s an expense but she is NOT a trained service dog. So I pay. I was on a recent flight with my dog and it was a long haul flight. My dog has a bag that fits under the seat, I know the rules are to keep her in the bag which I do, but sometimes I unzip to calm her when she gets anxious, she stays in the bag but I put my hand in so she has comfort. An attendant came by to tell me I couldn’t do that because in the back section there was a service dog. I complied. When deplaning I saw this “service” dog was a toy poodle in a large bag not a dog carrier and was yipping at everyone in line. I paid a lot of money to travel with my dog and know they only allow a certain number of animals on flights, this person took up a spot for someone that may have needed to fly with their service animal. Again I don’t mind paying for my dog as she is part of our family.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When your emotional support animal gets more anxious than you at where you are taking it - thats a whole new problem

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katejameson7 avatar
Kate
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the freaking add that popped up below the comments on this article omfg. I mean I know it's there because of keywords picked up on in the article, but the irony is still too much for me. But Thank you for this story--It really is an hugely important issue!!! Screen-Sho...ce-png.jpg Screen-Shot-2018-08-13-at-95124-AM-5b718d7d69ace-png.jpg

sadiedm6 avatar
Thinairgal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much! Great catch, Kate - I never even notice the ads anymore.

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liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no need to take your dog into a business premesis unless you are truly disabled in some way and if you are your dog will be trained to behave. As for other animals or pets just NO.

cassiewilliams avatar
Cassie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have anxiety. I understand the desire for an ESA. However, if I can't go into a business without the crutch of an animal not trained for such things, then I simply avoid going into that business or I find alternative support, like a fidget gizmo tucked in my pocket. I don't get why people feel the need to inconvenience others with their problems.

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Robin O'connor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a service dog, I'm terrified that some fake service dog will attack my $20,000 boy, I am disabled and unable to protect him. My life and Independence rely on him. He's the reason I am able to go out and do live on my own. I'm required to be able to demonstrate annually that I make sure he's healthy and parasite free. This is important for animals allowed where food for human consumption is. We also don't go out when it's raining, this is a courtesy, not a rule, no one likes the smell of a wet dog. .

sommers_lillian avatar
Lillian Sommers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work for a major grocery chain in a really affluent area and the BS people pull to drag in their yappy little purse dogs and hyper active labs really pisses me off. I love dogs don't get me wrong, I have two and if I could take them everywhere I would! But I've seen these folks feeding their dogs from salad bars or jumping up on produce displays, and it's so unsanitary. It would be unsanitary if a human did it, let alone a dog. There are signs and all we can do is ask and if they lie, we have to believe them. But you know when a legit service dog is in the building. It's like night and day.

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sad part is is that people who do actually have emotional support dogs like me (he is a havanese and I love him very much) are constantly being questioned. I do have my dogs papers proving that he is in fact an emotional support dog (and mind you he is very well trained, when I walk he was, when I stop he sits, absolutely doesn’t beg, and doesn’t ask for attention from strangers) and it’s frustrating having to dig them out all the time. It’s not just service dogs who are having trouble, and that’s the sad part. I wish people would stop faking it and go to dog friendly places if they don’t have a legitimate service/emotional support dog.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there should be something that could just be attached to the collar of legitimate service dogs - that cant just be bought over the nternet by anyone who doesnt have a legitamate service dog

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LOttawa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course I would love to bring my dog with me everywhere, the fact that she's a lab and they are known to be service dog, would make this very easy, but I don't, it's wrong, people out there really need them and there is no need to make this harder on them.

rimsey avatar
Yoli Lawrence
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia we don’t have this problem as ‘emotional support animals’ don’t ‘exist’. I mean they do, but if you want to use them in the public FOR that reason, they have to be fully certified as as SERVICE animal. There is no middle ground... your pooch, puss, or peacock has to be able to work under the strict rules and regs of the service animal industry standard or you don’t get to use them. If you want to use them at home or in places where other pets are allowed... fine. But not anywhere else.

andrew_joseph_barrett avatar
birdhouse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So how do we fix the problem? Maybe the dog should get an i.d. similar to a driver's license when the are certified that you can show??

westwingpotus avatar
westwing
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only reason to own a pet is because it makes you smile, brings you comfort, makes you feel loved, makes you feel calmer, gives you solice, so really, ALL pets are emotional support animals. But the fact that little FiFi makes you happy doesn’t make her a service animal. Service animals are actually trained to provide a service, hence the name, and assist if one is blind, deaf, have epilepsy, PTSD or other conditions.

catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read a local story a couple years ago, where a man was complaining about unfair treatment at a local outdoor event. There are signs clearly posted "no pets allowed other than service animals." Well, he shows up with his dog, and the Police tell him he can't bring the dog in. He starts a major scene about it, and rufuses to leave, claiming this is his "service dog." He has no proof, no orange vest on the dog, etc. After reading the story, it becomes clear that he was lying. He granted the interview, in the belief that people would take his side. He just made a fool of himself, and gave everyone a good laugh.

c_oriordan avatar
Cherie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do have to admit that while I find the fake service animal reprehensible, I do secretly love it when my seat on an airplane is next to a dog.

p-sapirstein avatar
Pearl Sapirstein
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This INFURIATES me more than most service animal owners... I have an emotional support parrot. She is well trained (litter trained, quiet, and has been taught how to notice an oncoming panic attack and respond to it) and I use her for my anxiety and depression. Of course, when people like this are so awful, the first thing that will happen is that I will get banned from flights, ect. I haven’t even been able to get a ESA liscense because my therapist said the liability risk for her was too much as there have been such bad incidents and press around ESA’s. :(

danetterivera avatar
Danette Rivera
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only from a frequent flyer standpoint. I am happy to pay all the costs required by the airlines to fly my small dog with me, in an approved kennel. The poblem I have encountered is the many airlines which will not longer accept animals in the cabin for international flights, except service animals. What would you have me do? My dog is very important to me and my emotional well-being. And well mannered. I think the airlines have brought some of these problems for themselves.

mrsbox2 avatar
Becky Box
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Managers ARE allowed to ask what service the animals do for the person. If a dog is unruly, pees, etc on the floor, they can be told to leave. Emotional support animals are NOT the same as service animals. They have no extra right except for being allowed to live in a pet free rental home.

dr_cherihayes avatar
Dr. Cheri Hayes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a chronic illness and am unable to go places by myself sometimes. I usually have my husband or a friend or relative go with me, in case I need help while I'm out. I went to buy some shoes a few months ago, and a woman was in the store with a dog. She went down the same aisle that I was on and her dog jumped on me and nipped at me. I didn't approach the dog or do anything to provoke it. I asked her why she had her dog in the store, because the sign at the front of the store said 'no pets'. Her dog had no discernible indication that it was a service dog, so I assumed it was a pet. She said it was her service dog and that she could do what she wanted. She berated me in front of the entire store, as well as her husband and children. I got very angry, but I stayed outwardly calm and told her that it would be helpful if she controlled her dog so that it wouldn't jump and nip at others. I went to the store manager, who did nothing. So I left. That was not a service dog.

jen_hunt_9250 avatar
Alethia Nyx
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It honestly baffles me that so few people seem to know how to interact (or not interact) with service dogs, and how to behave around them. I was taught when I was in Kindergarten (actually in class, not just at that age) how to treat service/guide dogs, how not to pat them when they were working, to respect them and what to do if I ever happened to see one without its handler with it. It's only in the last few years that I actually discovered that apparently this knowledge isn't the norm, that many grown adults don't actually know not to pat etc. a service dog. I think there needs to be a lot more education in schools about it.

zori-i-iana avatar
Zori the degu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I vividly remember my first encounter with a real service dog. I was in 4th grade, going downstairs with my classmates after a gym class and a new student was coming upstairs to visit the vice principal along with her parents. I immediately pitied her, for she was blind, when suddenly, I noticed her service dog, a handsome black lab. I smiled as I walked by but didn't touch her, for it somehow didn't seem right. All my classmates however "drowned" the small group like a huge wave, cooing and petting the poor dog, whose eyes widened in panic. I was so angry with them, but because I was the know-it-all weirdo no one ever listens to, I didn't say a word. Nobody ever told me it's not right to pet a service dog. It was just common sense everyone should have. But the don't, cause people are hopelessly dumb.

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T.Milly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an area where it seems as if every woman has some sort of toy poodle yapping in her LV bag. It's to the point where my friend accidentally stepped in dog poo while waiting in line to check out at Barnes & Noble. I can't stand it. It's obvious that most of these animals are not service dogs/pets. They're accessories, like jewelry or

hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoes. Furthermore, when the animals start to become unruly, their owners just ignore them, preferring to shout at each other in order to continue a conversation. If you attempt to talk to the owners about how annoying their animals are, they'll instantly yap back; "My dog /cat/ ferret etc ... is my emotional support tool! I can't exist without him/her." Right! Of course you can't. I'm sorry you're so ill so as to need a service animal with you 24/7. Due to your illness, I completely understand that you cannot be responsible for cleaning up after your animal / calming them down because that would cause anxiety. So sorry to bother you." SMH.

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Bianca WhiteFox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My neighbors in the apartment next door had a husky puppy that would howl, cry, and be in great distress all day and sometimes even at 5:30 AM or 11 PM. The neighbors (a couple in their early 20s) were always gone, and I honestly didn't ever see them take the dog for any walks. I tried to get the landlords to do something, and they said all they could do was gently remind them to keep the dog quiet, which did nothing. Technically, it was an emotional support dog. But it was still upsetting that they were leaving it alone all day and letting it cry. Who was it supporting if no one was ever there and if they didn't even take it with them? I actually think they used this as an excuse to waive the $500 deposit required to have a pet in this apartment complex. The neighbors ended up moving, but I feel so bad for that husky and I hope it's not still being neglected.

cassiewilliams avatar
Cassie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Service animal rules need to be re-evaluated to protect real service dogs and create separate rules for ESAs that limit their impact on service animals.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A law to make things easier, by not making disabled people have to provide proof, then making it harder for them by people abusing the system. So maddening!

lcwwak avatar
Linda Carter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s b******t. I see it all the time in Alaska. People take their untrained dog everywhere and call them service dogs. They should have a criminal record for such abuse. But no people are so ignorant about such trained working dogs. And they call their s******g on the plane yapping annoying dog a service dog. Put their a*s in jail. It’s like impersonating a police officer.

sagould avatar
S A GOULD
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well-written article with examples that show how people who take advantage of the irregularities in the system, ruin it for *everyone.*

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get me started. I manage an apartment building and I HATE esa's. It's a scam people use and it diminishes how people perceive real service animals.

i82much99 avatar
Laura Pantazis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like an easy solution to this would be to have two types of service animal vests - those with the emotional support and those with the actual medical support. Businesses would have to allow in the medical support under the ADA, but could have the option to accept or refuse the ESA vests. It really seems like that would make things easier for everyone.

sweetangelce04 avatar
Christina Sersif
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know what's really sad? I read this and literally the ad at the top of this page is "find out if your pet is an emotional support animal in 3 easy steps" SMH

huckleberrycatfish avatar
Joe Clark
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The author's argument is that real service dogs are more well-behaved than fake service. But since there in no official certification process, there are no real service dogs or fake service dogs. The service dog business is unregulated.

ohjojo62 avatar
Joanna Werman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my PTSD service dog an ID online just to shut people up. It is exhausting educating people and often just being asked if he is a service dog is enough for me to get triggered only because it happens all the time. Even when he wears a patch saying PTSD (and yes, that is embarrassing for me but necessary.) But my dog does his job just fine while still being petted by strangers. Actually, it helps me to be able to talk to a stranger if they focus more on the dog than on me. We are all different and one person's experience with their service dog is not necessarily the same as another's, just saying......

wobygong89 avatar
Nicole Stone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By law an employee is allowed to ask 2 questions: is the dog a service animal and what service does your animal provide. If they say it's an ESA it is NOT protected under the ADA and they can be asked to leave. A service is a medical alert, seeing eye dog, etc. but not for "emotional support". I'm sick and tired of going into a grocery store, grab a cart, and then see someone with a loud a*s chihuahua yipping at people because someone feels lonely and didnt want to leave their dog at home. That's gross, I put my food in those carts. All someone has to do is pull out their fake online certificate or their doctor's note and they act like they can't be touched. Some cities do have service animal licences but they are not enforced since the ADA states that a service animal doesn't need to be licensed. The law needs to be reviewed and changed to protect the real service animals doing their job.

wobygong89 avatar
Nicole Stone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do want to point out that ESA are protected under the Fair Housing Authority so are allowed when accompanied with a doctors letter if the landlord says no pets, doesnt mean they can go into any store they damn well please

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loulie avatar
Ditto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've registered my dog as an emotional support animal so I could stay in an apartment that didn't allow pets. Scummy move I know but I can't live without her. But I did make sure she was calm and didn't make a mess of the apartment. I almost never took her out to restaurants and stores with me out of fear of looking like a jerk if she got too excited. I've realized that was a mistake and moved to a different apartment a few months back, Thank you for binging light to this subject.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There really needs to be some system for officially certifying service dogs - it is getting ridiculous. My dog would bring me my slippers when I asked - would that count?? Also - Emotional Support animals should need so sort of medical certificate from a doctor - people take their ducks and pigs on planes fgs

crystalclear avatar
IWishIWasBob
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually have papers for my dog, because I made sure I got them. I wasn’t going to be presented as a faker because I’m not

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lisa7377 avatar
Jaded McQueen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dogs are not the problem.....PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM. PERIOD.

peterpage avatar
Peter Page
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

About 12% of the population are allergic to dogs. About 50% of the population have been attacked by dogs seriously enough to require medical attention. I do not have a statistic for what proportion of the population does not feel safe around dogs, but they exist. All these people have a right to be and feel safe. How can anyone, or group, claim a right that dismisses the rights of those who are not, or do not feel safe around dogs? A rights respecting society finds a way to achieve mutual respect and accommodation. These fraudulent service dog owners are intolerably disrespectful of others' rights. I find it encouraging to see our governments increasingly stopping this shameful abuse of rights.

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know they aren't allowed but my brother wants to sign up his snake as an emotional support animal so he can take it to college because my parents or his friends won't take it. I would but two years in I'd have to hand it to someone else to take care of it. Ps the snake is docile and has only bitten my mom when it was her feeding day and she didn't have food with her. She just tried to take it out. She didn't bleed! The snake will stay in your pocket, around your neck, and in your hoody hood. So it won't be a nuisance and climb over things.

kaisermom2000 avatar
Jackie Butts
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So basically, a real service dog (who is properly trained) needs to have a Federally issued I.D. and all the other "service" dogs need to complete the proper training to be considered service dogs and get the same I.D. NO EXCEPTIONS. Your fluffy little toy dog (or turkey) might be emotional support to you, but it's causing grief for the dogs who had to actually go to school and learn how to behave correctly. Any dog can be trained, and if not... it is not an appropriate service dog.

lynndebeal avatar
Lynn DeBeal
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are the same kind of thieves that lie in order to get handicapped parking plaqacards. And people say we don't come from chimps? Here's your sign.

pomeranianhugger avatar
Lazy Panda
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

jamie_mayfield avatar
Ivana
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You still have to have some type of medical certification to have your pet registered as an emotional support animal. Sounds like people trying to delegitimize mental illness by claiming that a physical illness is more valid. Do people lie and say they have an animal that is for emotional support? Yes, but people lie that their dog is a medical alert dog. Kind of s****y to shame people who have a mental illness.

jenjonke avatar
Jen Jonke
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog is ESA. I got him registered four years ago when someone with some issue complained that he was a "dangerous breed" and my apartment complex that I had been living in for months said he had to go. Doesn't matter where, just out, although he had done nothing but be born brindle, strong and with almond shaped eyes. I've battled depression with bouts of ED over the years, I work from home, and I mostly despise humans. If I didn't have my dog, I would most likely NEVER leave my home. He gives me exercise, he gives me joy, he makes me hate less. I never claim he's service, he's not, but he is my only reason for living. I've never abused the law, I've used ESA to make sure my life can be with me in certain apartment complexes that see "pit bull" as the worst thing in the world.

mr_re-in-act-ment avatar
Mr. Re-in-act-ment
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen a service dog but I do know it might or could be very rude to ask a person that has a service dog that you know is a service dog to be petted. On the other hand the only dogs i see are my own, friends, or the ones i meet during my walks with my dog ( MY OPINION )Therefore, people take a great thing that has been invented for the better and greater of this world like service dogs an then turn it into basic hell. One bad apple in the batch turns everything sour.

soriana313 avatar
Sori
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

since having my rescue dog, she has been drastically helped me deal with depression and anxiety, however i doubt she would be a good service dog... after reading this makes me feel like its wouldn't be wise to register her as a support dog?

sheyennehansen avatar
Sheyenne Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get her marked as an emotional support dog since that's what she does. All you would need for that is a note from a doctor or a therapist. Keep in mind, emotional support animals are allowed to live in rental places that don't usually allow animals and on planes, not in public places that don't typically allow dogs.

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diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think large stores should have a dog creche - where people can leave leave thir digs knowing a trained person is keeping watch over them for an hour - you see so many lovely dogs tied to lamposts - anxious and alone and scared cos they dont have a human - no wonder they may growl bark and snap and someone who comes near them

sophiassuperfan avatar
Sophia's Superfan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can get the benefits of a service dog by getting your dog registered as an emotional support animal https://youtube.com/shorts/XNsBlgmVtAA?feature=share

sylverfox9 avatar
Eds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On a flight this summer a young woman with a service dog was seated across the aisle from my 6yr old dog loving daughter and me. The dog laid down under the seat and didn't make a peep the entire flight. Thanks to an article similar to this that I read to my daughter a year or two ago, I have been able to educate my daughter that we don't bother a service dog when it is working. Sometimes reading something sticks in her head better than just something mommy tells her not to do. A pleasant flight was had by all. Now my neighbors have an "emotional support dog" that just barks all the time. Constantly. Anytime it is outside. He has a collar that says "support dog" or something like that. My dog will just look at him in annoyance.

katellan75 avatar
Charity Phillips
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At my local Walmart, they have just given up. They won't ask anyone about any pet, ever. They're afraid to be sued. I saw someone walk in with a puppy once, who flat out told another customer it was not any kind of service dog. It was a new puppy that they didn't want to leave home alone while they shipped because it would be sad and miss them too much. The greeter heard the whole story and said nothing.

craig_reynolds_usa avatar
Craig Reynolds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has now reached a point where people are taking their dogs with them wherever they go. Supermarkets, independent businesses, restaurants, shopping malls and not even claiming they are anything. They just assume that because others get away with it, they can too, and in most cases (usually shopping malls) no one even questions them.

lrkrstllptg avatar
Lara Kristelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of a scene from B99 wherein one of the folks from the 98th precinct brought his "service dog" and sits across Amy who's deathly allergic to dogs. Then it was later revealed (during a squabble) it's not an actual service dog but his pet he likes to bring anywhere.

ealizabethane avatar
Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really bothers me, I once had an experience where a blind lady had her dog with her in a grocery store. Another lady in the line asked to pet the dog, she said no. Lady went ahead and pet the dog anyway, causing the blind lady to move forward, without knowing the dog was being held back by the "petter', blind lady fell, required an ambulance and stitches, police came and said no charge could be laid but they were quite annoyed that they couldn't charge the "petter". I've seen people walk up and start petting the dog without asking permission, this just leads to problems for the dog.

saradagrape avatar
Sarah Grape
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it should be illegal to fake in more places. and maybe people with legit dogs should have doctor's notes? I know it's against the law to ask for them and you shouldn't have to carry them around, but it could solve problems even if no one expects you to

mmartha61 avatar
Martha Murphy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like dogs, but they don't belong in grocery stores or restaurants unless they have been trained to behave as Gerda's real support dog behaves. I would never ask to pet someone's support animal when it is on duty.

mariposa1979-dc avatar
Renee C.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A man where I live did this, apparently they even sell the service dog vests on Wish. His dog would bite people's feet on the bus, etc. But he got away with it because he was a "service dog".

sheila_lynn avatar
Sheila Simonson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

to all the fakes they sell baby security blankets, stuffed animals, baby dolls, and pacifiers for all you superficial, just want attention whinny babies. leave the real stuff to the people who really need them.

juliet_bravo avatar
Jill Bussey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for clarifying this. It's slightly different in the UK, but yes, there are people who falsely claim their animals are support. I will look now to see how they behave and if the animal is plainly not "on duty" as you describe, I will complain to the store.

vt_shinomi avatar
Shinomi Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having fake ANYTHING is already wrong, but something like this? KNOWING some people actually NEED service dogs?? This is just rude and inconsiderate.

owlpayson avatar
Owl Payson
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend who I was talking about things like this with and mentioned certain autistic people need service dogs for things like anxiety attacks. He got really excited and thought since any animal can become a service animal he could certify his bunny so she can go in restraunt. His bunny is extremely jittery, very poopy, and loves to run around randomly and scratch/nip everyone. She will also eat anything in front of her without thinking. He has had anxiety issues once or twice since I met him. I have ocd, mild depression, stress related self harming issues, and extreme anxiety attacks fairly regularly in the scheme of thinks related to high levels of hypersensitivity and routine issues related to my autism and attacks from my ocd. I would need one far far more than him but guess what, a it’s not nessasy and b most animals often frighten me meaning untrained animals can worsen it with there activity and barking. I did eventually explain it but come on

jennifer_roth avatar
Sodom
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im getting more sick of people that go to, like a hot dog stand, for hours and drink alcohol and the dog lays straight there the hole time. Same for taking a dog to a bar or pub. Sorry but thats not okay cause with a human you (shouldnt) dont do that too or ??

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feel free to downvote I'm okay with it just relaying some info to you guys. Totally not offended by it if you do

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also believe that he will probably sneak the snake in anyway. Ps the snake scares me but nagini (the snake from Harry Potter) I know it will never hurt me

84avaford avatar
Ava Ford
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I completely agree with you guys that I shouldn't be allowed but seriously my brother has touched its face without it biting him and he won't let others touch it so it won't cause people to ask to touch others support dogs

edwardreedbristol avatar
Darryl Kerrigan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What horrible dog owners. Who's allowed an emotional support dog? Are they for depressed people? I like that, less reliance on pharmaceuticals (sic)...

hjdashiell avatar
Helen Dashiell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother and father in law, while otherwise good people, pull this c**p. They always feel their dog should go where they go so they got the certification or whatever to state their dog is a service dog. They get their panties in a wad at any store or restaurant that tells them they cant bring their dog in.

perrygornick avatar
Perry Gornick
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seen both sides of the argument, people with legitimate service dogs and those with fake service dogs. It's no different from people with handicapped placards, there are those who will game the system and others who are honest about their disability. Sadly, our government institutions need extreme oversite to ensure the rules are being adhered to. They need to be held accountable 24/7 - 365.

suecornwall avatar
Sue Cornwall
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do carry my documentation with me. Including my perscription that I have seizures. It’s complicated because I have a very small dog. But my husband once said “you’ll be sorry when my wife has a seizure and injures herself and others. Because the dog didn’t warn her so she could lie down. And then there’s the following lawsuit worked well. Now I say that it’s only happened 3-4 times

suecornwall avatar
Sue Cornwall
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I now carry my service dog , including perscription, documentation with me. I agree with all of you who have service dogs and have to take the push back. I do tell restaurant owners and others that if the dog does not behave well they dont have to accept them. Not sure this is legal. I have an additional problem because my alert dog is small so people are more suspicious. My husband once said “you’ll be really sorry when my wife has a seizure and injures herself and others because she doesn’t know to lie down before the seizure”

brijames avatar
bri james
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I have run into, is owners of not very nice pitbulls use the setvice/companion dog to by pass the weight limits of rental appartments then all the rest of us walking our under 20 lbs dogs have to deal with this ill mannered pit, that someone was able to bring into the complex and management can do nothing till the dogs bites someone

gracesings avatar
Grace Wiebe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It also helps when the public is aware of what a real Service Dog looks like. Generally, when they're working, they're "in uniform" & their behaviour reflects that they're on the clock. They don't ask to be pet, either. Any dog that the owner claims is working that is asking you for attention is NOT a Service Dog. Service Dogs are out in public, therefore ALL the public should be made aware of the criteria so that this sort of misrepresentation has less of a chance to happen & also, so that the public gives the Service Dog proper respect.

fluffyjellybean avatar
To Blave
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Petted, not pet. And don't be an a*****e with a fake service dog.

sbagci avatar
S Bagci
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if the owner allows you to put the dog, its not a service dog but a fake ?

krystalthompson avatar
Kip The Otter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She meant that if the dog is sitting there practically begging for you to pet them then they're probably not a service dog.

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pattiekelly54 avatar
Pattie Kelly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick solution just carry a card that says your dog is a service dog with a picture of the dog on it. I have a service dog and when I need to go somewhere I just show them the card and all is good. Don't try to make things more difficult for you just because the government says you don't need to show ID for service dogs. You spend more time defending your situation that makes your more frustrated. People who own a business just wants to know your dog is OK to come in. There are people that take advantage of this. But the only people they are fooling is themselves. I have been doing dog therapy for over ten years.

seanbigham avatar
Sean Bigham
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my dog when she was 4, and had been trained by her previous owner. For the next 3 years I worked with her and eventually had her certified as a service animal. I have trained animals most of my life for working animals; horses, dogs, even cats, and this was the first and only dog I have worked as a service animal. She is 14 years old now and still travels with me 90% of the time I go anywhere. She is so much more than a service animal to me now, more than a pet, more than family. No one can say any different. She is an extension of myself and there to help me.

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Service dogs are extremely expensive in Australia, talking at least one thousand dollars. Getting one starts with Doctor's letter, and then gets more complicated. Except for seeing eye dogs for the blind, They come from a center that only does that. Those are free to the Blind person. but the waiting list is long. We do not seem to have the " i trained my dog to be a service dog" problem usa has.

marian-latimer avatar
Marian Latimer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a real service dog in train still. Since I live in a small town I never see any problems. On the other hand I don't feel the need to take her everywhere and force her into places that make ppl uncomfortable. She is so funny if someone pets her when she has her vest on. I can almost hear her think, fine...but I won't enjoy it. (Her breed hates the top of their head touched anyway). I always try to explain why they shouldn't touch her when she is working. I usually tell ppl my issues and her job is to try to alert, if not then to protect me and my belongings. When we are at work she can relax and be friendly if she wants. My clients know they can pet her unless she is on my heel, then she is working. I get annoyed when I read about fake handlers with attitude. . But in the long run, I don't care what anyone else says. I don't want ppl to be scared of her.

jlhall13 avatar
porcupine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trained ESA dogs can be naughty too. 3 years ago, I fell asleep with my 11-year-old service dog in my lap on a red-eye flight. Woke up to a very upset stewardess over the intercom asking whose dog had wandered into first class. Still one of my favorite stories about him now that he’s gone. The scariest part was that it was a United flight... Not suggesting it’s the right thing to do, but if that French bulldog puppy had had a fake vest, he’d probably still be alive.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

have to say this - my dogs woould have died for me - they protected me they slept by my side every night - snored bt my ears - but i couoldnt take them anywhere - but for some reason they loved the vets --- they were service dogs only in the way they kepyt me sane during a difficult time

i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

didn't even read the article, as if we needed a reason. they have fake service dogs, i think there's a visceral, deep knowledge that these are f****d up people

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just keep small uneducaed children away frow large dogs

skadilifdis avatar
Skadi Lifdis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was talking about dogs with a customer. She had her dog with her (my store allows all dogs in the store). I had mentioned how a few months earlier I had been told by an employee at another store I couldn't bring my dog in the store (which no one else had said and it's not posted anywhere). She then tells me I can go register my dog as a service animal online and then I can bring him everywhere. I was appalled. I love my dogs but they are pets. It's a slap in the face to everyone who actually needs and has a legit service dog and I told her as much. Real service animals are a necessity for their people for a variety of reasons. People who pass off pets as service animals are selfish. This is a great article explaining the difference between the two.

magrudzinski avatar
Mark Grudzinski
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The abuse of this angers me to no end. My wife briefly worked with a woman who had a fake one and her and her dog were both nightmares. Need tighter regulations for sure.

elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth Lord Cary
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish more people understood what a real service dog is, how they act. I was an event organizer and the fake service dogs were always a huge hassle meanwhile the real dogs were a joy even if we could only admire from afar.

misterscooter avatar
Misterscooter
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are people who read this and know it is talking about them. They're dirtbags. And those that don't think this is talking about them because they think they are different. Another kind of d-bag.

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here is some info about the real thing: http://usdogregistry.org/information/information-on-service-dogs/

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I lived in Scotland there was a town close by (Forfar) which had a huge service dog training centre - for the blind mainly - and you knew they were genuine working dogs and everyone knew you shouldnt be trying to pet them or distract them from their training and wonderful work

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am lucky where I live in that pretty much every eatery allows dogs - we are a tourist area for outdoor stuff and many people bring their dogs. All the local public houses have slate floors and dogs are welcome. There is even a pub/resteurant (Skelwith Bridge Hotel) that has it's own menu just for dogs

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that place has csrpet - but they are large carpet tiles that can be quickly removed and replaced in the case of an accident

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monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make it illegal to A: Sell fake "certifications" for "service" dogs that are not trained as such and also to B. Use such fake "service" dog "certificates" in order to simply get away with what would otherwise not be allowed. This is so symptomatic of the "Choose Your Own Truth" mentality that produced the "alternative truths" of the present White House. These people will have to have their noses rubbed in their lies to understand that there is a real difference between right and wrong. We all learned it in kindergarten: Be nice to each other, Don' cheat, and Hold hands when you cross the street! :-)

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forgot to add . . . only in America. WTF kind of scumbag came up with the ·$·%/(& idea to sell fake servicedog certification?

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chantalputrus avatar
jasmine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

holy f**k what world do we live in where people are panicking about a dog in a grocery store. we live in a generation of f*****g snow flakes, get off your damn high horse, it’s a f*****g dog it’s not gonna eat you.

adrianacoppage avatar
Bird lover
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some dogs are violent and their owners call them ¨service dogs¨ as an excuse to let their dog potentially harm others and if it's big enough, and you are small enough, it might eat you. So I suggest that you stop being such a damn jerk.

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cenkkaraferya avatar
Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stupid... why should people have to lie about this? Why can't people just bring their damn dogs to restaurants and wherever the hell they need to go. I'd rather see dogs than screaming babies or kids running around like they are in a playground. Besides service dogs come on all different forms, some are purely for helping people who suffer from mental illness. I doubt that they would need to go through any kind of training...

johnmy avatar
John Myers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never had a small child maul my leg because I stepped between them or the item they were looking at. Or you get dogs that both want to be Alpha, and then it gets ugly. I understand the sense of peace that comes from your devoted pet, but if they are not trained strictly, it is a problem waiting to happen, and it could be personally and financially devastating.

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moviery avatar
Ry Keener
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in grocery and we 'are not allowed to ask' if a dog is a service dog or not, and yet we have signs saying, 'only service animals; no pets'. But what is a rule if it can't or inst enforced? It's not. So we end up with all kinds of dogs in the store. I love dogs, and I love the work animals do to support their humans! I just wish there were better solutions to knowing the difference between the ones who are working and those who are pets.

annettvikstrand avatar
Annett Vikstrand
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is silly that real service animals do not need a sertificate, and that it is not allowed to ask for one. They should have sertificates that only they could get, so that the fake ones get found out.

noitallman avatar
noitall man
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A special collar that is easily identified with a special tag that you can only get when a dog is fully certified. that would eliminate all of this.

sheyennehansen avatar
Sheyenne Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except no certification is required for service dogs. Not everyone who has a SD gets them professionally trained as the ADA doesn't require it. And they can't require it because it costs a lot of money to train them and not all disabled people have that kind of money.

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diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you really need to take a peacock on the New YorkSubway 9per a previous article) for "emotional support" you really need alot of help

bzap724 avatar
MBZ MetalsmithArtist
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that the peacock person was a performance artist -and they were using the ridiculous example of a "service peacock" in trying to make the same point about the problems of fake service animals...

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wellsea7 avatar
We'llSee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see this differently I guess, I have a small dog, hes my heart, I can't take him into stores that don't approve of all pets, we go in pet stores etc, where all animals are able to go. I'd love nothing more than to have him with me, I do suffer from PTSD, I do not take a ton of meds , I'm in a fight many times a week to be able to do "normal" things.. I could never afford a "real" service emotional support dog, not in a million years, so for those like me who would love to have this service but we will never have it, I can see people being desperate for help, no, I'm no way, saying one should break the law, and to those just wanting their "pet" by them thats just wrong. I've found, I simply avoid a lot of places or going anywhere when I'm having a really rough day. Its just part of my life. I wish, in a perfect world, these services would be available to all those who need it.

cookie avatar
Cookie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Malaysia and service dogs are not allowed in shops or on public transport because they are haram.

brittanycoolican avatar
Brittany Coolican
Community Member
5 years ago

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Oh my god, you classist f***s. Get over yourselves. There is a difference between service animal and companion animal and both should be able to be taken in and out of restaurants/grocery stores/etc. For many people that IS there only emotional connection to the world. You guys are all so smug and arrogant because you see the poor and the homeless with their emotional support animals and you think you're better than them. I work at a library that is in a downtown area and has hundereds of people who come in and out everyday and SO MANY OF THEM WITH COMPANION DOGS and only RARELY do we ever have to give a warning to the owners. In fact if more people were allowed to better socialize their animals, maybe the chances of the animal hurting something would drastically reduce!?

pomeranianhugger avatar
Lazy Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you joking? I don't even know where to start with this train wreck but I'll do my best. First of all, classist doesn't even apply here! At least search up the definition before using it, service dog and non service dog owners are not two different economic classes. Both should absolutely not be taken to grocery stores/restaurants. Service dogs are trained to remain calm in stores/restaurants and will not attack, bark at or lunge at other people/dogs and will not sniff at the food either, regular companion dogs can be unruly and noisy, they will also sniff at food in stores which is gross for whoever may be buying a fruit or something like that that a dog rubbed its nose on. Some people are also afraid/allergic to dogs so dogs entering everyday public places should be kept at a minimum most of the time. If you need to bring your dog with you for emotional issues that is an ESA which is A FORM OF SERVICE ANIMAL but only applies to people with severe anxiety and such

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liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
5 years ago

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Having a back to front moment there I meant premises.

getinkt avatar
Greg T
Community Member
5 years ago

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Clickbait title clickbaited me. I guess "Two examples of people people gaming the system" wouldn't get enough clicks haha! It sucks how people do this c**p though, how hard would it be to have those certificates given out by Veterinarians?

lornegreen1986 avatar
Whatevers not taken
Community Member
5 years ago

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First let me say don't believe the hype in this woman's story. Not only did you not say what medical condition you suffer from the only thing you said was that your dog is a medical alert dog. Medical alert for what? Do you have amnesia or is it narcolepsy or is it a well behaved service dog that you just like having around. My guess is the latter. I like your story but also hate people who are hypocrites. If your blind and have a dog then yes its a service dog. People who need these animals for emotional support b******t, get your life's together, grow up, and stop throwing little fits everywhere.

diane1atk avatar
diane a
Community Member
5 years ago

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what even counts as an "Emotional Support Animal"?? - th fact that you will be upset if you cant take it anywhere you want?

loulie avatar
Ditto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its for people with mental disorders like anxiety and depression, I've registered my dog as an ESA so I could keep her when I needed to get into an apartment that didn't allow pets for my bipolar disorder.

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Joe Clark
Community Member
5 years ago

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Actually, there is no such thing as a fake service dog because there is no official certification process for service dogs. You can't have a fake version of something if that is no official real one.

bobbinewell avatar
Bobbi Newell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrong Joe. The difference can be seen in the training and behavior of the animal, which was the whole point of the article.

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