Rebecca Skloot notifies us via email that someone just leaked some government documents to her that include the previously unreleased wording of the new government regulations: They have banned all service animals other than dogs (initially they’d said they’d allow other commonly domesticated species like cats and birds). Specifically it says, “animal means dog,” which may effectively outlaw the use of other animals for service for people with disabililties.
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Infuriating. I know that a lot of folks in the animal rights community are conflicted about the use of service animals. It’s a deeply problematic ethical situation from an AR perspective, but the utilitarian side of me says that in most cases, the service animals are cherished and loved — and given tasks commensurate with their abilities and instincts. The bond between service animal and guardian is so often so marvelous, and it would take a cretin not to acknowledge that. I want no more animals used in research that could cause death or discomfort; I support some fairly radical AR groups in this regard. But I break with some in the AR world over service animals.
That’s ridiculous. What about horses? What about monkeys for paraplegics?
I can see setting down guidelines so that it’s not such a grey area (and to provide more clear cut PROTECTION for service animals), but…just dogs? Come on, now.
What about alternate animals for those allergic to dogs? And aren’t there more people trying to pass off their non-service dogs as service dogs than those trying to pass off their Shetland pony as a service pony?
There’s also a multitude of animals that can help warn against some kind of sudden health problem, and not all of them are dogs (in fact, I remember when I was a kid and watched Animal Planet on a lizard trying to wake its owner before a heart attack).
What about animals that helps with mental health? Not everyone trusts dogs, and are just as happy with having a cat or parrot nearby as a support.
There’s so many holes in confining it to dogs.
I am so sick of this administration I can barely stand it. Who benefits from language like this? Was there some terrible monkey scandal I was not aware of. This behavior is just absurd.
Huh. I wasn’t even aware that other animals were used, but when I did some googling around, it looks like people’s big issue is they’re worried people will use this as a loophole to bring their pets into restaurants and stuff.
That’s just weird, I mean, how is that a huge concern that you need to go changing the rules? Bizarre.
Oh come on now! I train miniature horses for use as service animals, and I have to say that in some ways, they’re better than dogs. Typical garbage from these people; let’s restrict options for people we aren’t comfortable with and make their lives more difficult, just because we can!
“Was there some terrible monkey scandal I was not aware of.”
Chimpy McFlightsuit just doesn’t want his kind exploited.
People I talk to in the service animal community get around it by saying that you can still use any animal to mitigate your disability within your own home, but only dogs will be allowed public access. That’s assuming, of course, that you’re allowed to have one of these other animals (which might work much better for you than a dog) as a pet in your home. Not like that’s a problem when you’re trying to keep a MONKEY because you’re paraplegic or otherwise have limited mobility or arm function. Yeesh. It sounds as if non-dog animals are at least still eligible to be Emotional Support Animals (ESAs are exempt from pet-related housing restrictions but aren’t granted public access), but I suspect it’s going to be very hard to get a non-pet animal like a monkey or a miniature horse designated as an ESA, since ESAs are usually supposed to be pets.
It’s just frustrating. Not to mention ridiculous. I’m with others – was there some big problem people were having with miniature horses, monkeys, parrots, cats, and the like coming into public establishments and causing a problem? Some rash of mini horses and monkeys and birds coming into restaurants and tearing the place apart? My understanding was that non-dog animals were in the minority among service animals anyway, and service animals themselves aren’t hugely common. I’m thinking someone up there is just writing their personal preferences into law, and that’s really not right.
Besides which, whether or not you can use them in your own home is only half the problem. Public access is very, very important, since it’s not like you’re only disabled when you’re in your own house. Just wanted to add that to my first paragraph there.
According to the reporter, Rebecca Skloot, commenting on her own blog, yes, most cases of fraud involve dogs. link here
Funny, this being a “feminist” website,
“…in most cases, the service animals are cherished and loved — and given tasks commensurate with their abilities and instincts. The bond between service animal and guardian is so often so marvelous…”
sounds like a classic definition of “wife”.
Anon: I’m all for animal rights but I don’t understand the point of your comment.
how could they do that to all service animals other than dogs. Dogs aren’t exactly allergy friendly either. “animal means dog,” … YES, A DOG IS AN ANIMAL, BUT THAT INCLUDES OTHER ANIMALS TO! You know, outlawing the use of other animals for service for people with disabililties is Discrimination. i have a dog and he’s not (certified)a service “Animal”. Also, i live far away from my actual home currently in china, and i got Shadow after months of thinking to get a support animal. Of course, my parents got angry at me, that’s another story… Anyway, Shadow helps me with my depression and what not, so i can control my temper more effectively… by the way Shadow is my little princess, and she is a coastal banded california kingsnake