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#21 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 370
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A service dog is a dog trained to perform duties outside of the real of what a dog would normally do to help a person with a disability.
My wife has problems walking so she uses Zorro for mobility assistance (as well as stability and item retrieval). I don't know if a pack dog (for the lack of a better term) would qualify (but I'm sure it won't be long before people do use them for that - for carrying medical equipment). The training is specific towards what the dog is going to be used for. Mobility assistance mainly need to stay next to the handler and be able to support them.
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#22 |
Moderator
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Vaiva - the 'requirements' in the USA are:
1) Person is disabled and the disability affects their everyday living so as to require help. Not all people who are 'disabled' are disabled to a degree which they qualify for a SD. 2) Dog can do at least 1 specific task. A "task" meaning it's specifically trained for.. not just to be there and comfort a human. So for different disabilities there are different tasks. If a person has balance issues, the dog can be task trained to pick up objects for the person, turn light switches, etc, or help to balance a human if it's the appropriate size, weight, and health. If a person has a psychological disability like say panic attacks perhaps the dog can be trained to lead the person away from situations when the person starts to have a break down, etc. These are the only requirements there are, although to some it may seem ridiculously lax. There are no formal tests or certifications you need in the USA to have a dog be called a SD. And any facilities or business that claim to 'certify' a dog is a scam. Although some users prefer to pass the PAT (public access) training test so they have confidence in their dogs' behavior. Many also like to pass the CGC (canine good citizen) examination. But neither are required at all. A well behaved dog which is potty-trained will provide you with an SD that has access rights. An ill-behaved SD that disrupts business can be asked to leave. In the US, a SD does not need to be vested nor carry any identification that it is a SD generally. According to law, generally in public the only questions that a business or facility can ask about you or an SD is A) if it is a SD B) what kind of tasks is it trained for. They cannot ask you about your disability nor do you have to tell them about your disability. But because of these relatively lax standard, it is very easy to fake a SD unfortunately. And most people are not aware that there is a difference between different types of 'helping' dogs. Even doctors. |
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#23 | ||
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 370
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#24 | |
Moderator
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That is what it is technically - but I have known 0 cases where a person has actually gone to jail for faking a SD. Do you? |
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