[Bryn-gwlad] dogs in Ansteorra

[Joseph & Michelle Baiocchi]

I would strongly discourage anyone from making a false claim that their dog is a service dog, or that the person is a service dog trainer, in order to gain entry for the dog at an event or location where dogs are otherwise not allowed.  It's dishonest, illegal, unfair to other dog owners of all abilities, and the penalties can be severe.
   
  The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.

  Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:

    _ Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds. 
  _ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments. 
  _ Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance. 
  A service animal is not a pet.
   
  There are two parts to this equation: the person must have a disability and need the dog to do things that the disabled person cannot do, and the dog must be trained to perform specific tasks to mitigate the person's disability.  Many disabled people have pet dogs, but only those dogs that are specifically trained to do or assist with tasks that the person cannot perform unassisted are considered service dogs.
   
  I keep waiting for the ADA to expand the definition of a service dog to include animals that provide emotional or calmative support (i.e. for people who suffer from anxiety attacks, PTSD, hypertension, etc.) but to the best of my knowledge that hasn't happened yet.  (If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know - with documentation)!
   
  Oh, and service dogs "in training" don't have to be allowed anywhere.  Many businesses allow them as a courtesy, but they don't have to, unless the trainer also happens to be disabled.
   
  Personally, I enjoy encountering dogs at events when they are allowed.  But I can certainly sympathize with those site owners who chose not to allow them.  If their insurance coverage does not allow for dogs at events, but they allow dogs anyway, and someone is injured by a dog, you can bet someone will be be sued.  My guess is the landowner would be the one left holding the (empty) bag.
   
  I now return you to the modern middle ages...

  Sigriðr / Michelle
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