[pct-l] service animals

[Ken Murray]

CAUTION! The law has changed, and many of the anecdotes no longer apply.

FWIIW, I know that the permanent Backcountry Rangers have been very unhappy over what people have done in the past, which were clear abuses.

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

    * "Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA.
    * A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to 
 *do work *    * or 
 *perform tasks*    *  for a person with a disability."

If they don't  *do work*, or  *perform tasks*, they ARE NOT a service dog.

"Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide  *comfort *or  *emotional support*do not qualify as service animals under the ADA."

" *Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices."*

If they are not harnessed, leased or teathered *...........they are NOT a service dog.*

 *"*When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform."

Please do not make things more difficult for actually disabled people by falsifying and lying about your dog. It is transparent, and hurts disabled people.