Ysbeth
The Walmart I go to seems to be overrun by small dog owners who swear there dogs are service dogs and its getting disgusting. None of these dogs look to be in any position to assist their owners with anything as they are either being wheeled around in things that look like baby carraiges for dogs or are strapped to their owners bodies in things that look like backpacks. Its getting ridiculous. Is their any possibility that a dog in this position is a service dog or are these just selfish shammers that can't bare to leave their "fur-babies" at home and are exploiting the laws meant to protect the disabled?
I'm glad that they are changing the laws but I hope they don't hurt the people with real service dogs in the process.
TB, I know people with real PTSD dogs and they are always on a leash. They won't do any good if they are strapped in a carrier and can't get to the person who is having trouble with their PTSD. Also, the ADA changed the rules and emotional support dogs (with the exception of ones for PTSD) do not qualify for protection under the law.
Answer
In the US, where this question was presumably asked, Service Dogs are not required to wear a vest or have any identification showing they're a Service Dog, nor are they required to have any certification/be certified by any organization (some independent organizations offer their own certification, but it is not legally required nor does that certification legally make that dog a SD - a SD is a SD because of work/tasks they perform... that's all). Canada may be different - it doesn't appear this question was asked from Canada (unless the OP for some reason prefers the US Y! Answers site).
That out of the way...
Yes, it is possible they're Service Dogs. The law (United States, per the Americans with Disabilities Act) does not require dogs be "four on the floor". Per the law, it is perfectly acceptable to carry a Service Dog, provided they can perform the "work" or "tasks" which make them Service Dogs. For example, a person with PTSD, who has trained their dog to nudge them during an anxiety attack (this exact example is used in the write-up of the law) does not need to be walking. They're perfectly capable of performing their duty while being carried. A dog who alerts a hearing-impaired person of people approaching (another example used, in the DOJ write-up, as an acceptable "task" for a Service Dog) can still perform their task if carried
The laws were revised a few years ago (no new changes on the horizon) - these were deemed acceptable tasks. Per the ADA, there can be no discrimination between physical and mental/emotional/psychological disabilities. An "emotional support dog" is not a Service Dog because they have not been trained to do work or perform tasks. However, a dog who does work/tasks to mitigate an emotional disability IS a Service Dog (regardless of the disability... a dog who does work/tasks for someone with PTSD is a SD; a dog who simply provides emotional support for someone with PTSD, without doing work/tasks, is not a SD - the specific diagnosis is irrelevant).
People have long had opinions on whether or not they personally like the law, and what they *personally* feel should constitute a disability - but their opinions are just that... opinions. The law is the law regardless of whether people like or dislike it.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
http://www.iaadp.org/doj-def-comments-Title-II-III-SA.html
And bear in mind that prior to the mid 20th century, dogs were legally allowed most anywhere (no need to be a Service Dog). Health Codes started banning dogs because of the rabies epidemic; rabies has been under control for decades now, yet the laws banning dogs have not been revised. Even if these SDs are "fake", just look at it as a way of dogs being in public places again (as they used to be for the majority of the country's history) and indirectly adjusting for rabies now being controlled (since health codes haven't caught up with that, making it seem rather nanny-state-like, no?)
In the US, where this question was presumably asked, Service Dogs are not required to wear a vest or have any identification showing they're a Service Dog, nor are they required to have any certification/be certified by any organization (some independent organizations offer their own certification, but it is not legally required nor does that certification legally make that dog a SD - a SD is a SD because of work/tasks they perform... that's all). Canada may be different - it doesn't appear this question was asked from Canada (unless the OP for some reason prefers the US Y! Answers site).
That out of the way...
Yes, it is possible they're Service Dogs. The law (United States, per the Americans with Disabilities Act) does not require dogs be "four on the floor". Per the law, it is perfectly acceptable to carry a Service Dog, provided they can perform the "work" or "tasks" which make them Service Dogs. For example, a person with PTSD, who has trained their dog to nudge them during an anxiety attack (this exact example is used in the write-up of the law) does not need to be walking. They're perfectly capable of performing their duty while being carried. A dog who alerts a hearing-impaired person of people approaching (another example used, in the DOJ write-up, as an acceptable "task" for a Service Dog) can still perform their task if carried
The laws were revised a few years ago (no new changes on the horizon) - these were deemed acceptable tasks. Per the ADA, there can be no discrimination between physical and mental/emotional/psychological disabilities. An "emotional support dog" is not a Service Dog because they have not been trained to do work or perform tasks. However, a dog who does work/tasks to mitigate an emotional disability IS a Service Dog (regardless of the disability... a dog who does work/tasks for someone with PTSD is a SD; a dog who simply provides emotional support for someone with PTSD, without doing work/tasks, is not a SD - the specific diagnosis is irrelevant).
People have long had opinions on whether or not they personally like the law, and what they *personally* feel should constitute a disability - but their opinions are just that... opinions. The law is the law regardless of whether people like or dislike it.
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
http://www.iaadp.org/doj-def-comments-Title-II-III-SA.html
And bear in mind that prior to the mid 20th century, dogs were legally allowed most anywhere (no need to be a Service Dog). Health Codes started banning dogs because of the rabies epidemic; rabies has been under control for decades now, yet the laws banning dogs have not been revised. Even if these SDs are "fake", just look at it as a way of dogs being in public places again (as they used to be for the majority of the country's history) and indirectly adjusting for rabies now being controlled (since health codes haven't caught up with that, making it seem rather nanny-state-like, no?)
International travel with newborn (3-8 months old)?
Betty
We are from Canada and thinking of taking a one month vacation/backpacking excursion with our newborn (once she is born). I have read the best time to take them is between 3 and 8 months old.... it's something we have always wanted to do, has anyone else ever done this? (We're thinking Europe or Australia). What concerns would you have with this?
Thanks!
Answer
It is a perfect time to take them on international travels. Once they're more mobile, it will be harder to keep them entertained and happy on such trips for a few years. Shorter trips will be possible, but for something like you're describing, it's best to do it within the first year or so.
Some concerns will involve how you will carry the baby and all of your gear for travel. Backpacking may not actually be the best idea simply because of weight issues. You'll need an excellent, comfortable backpack baby carrier. It might be a better idea to plan on renting a car for your entire trip and doing it by road for the majority of the time, going on short backpacking jaunts as you go.
One thing to think about is the types of vaccinations you might want your baby to have while travelling. Some vaccinations can't be given until baby is a certain age, which would need to be taken into consideration.
You will need to get your baby's passport as soon as possible so you will have it by the time you are ready to travel.
Another consideration will be feeding baby. If you are breastfeeding, you will have the easiest job of it and you won't ever have to worry about water quality or having somewhere to heat formula. Also, if baby is less than 6 months old, she won't even need solid foods at all, which will make it all the easier. If you are formula-feeding, however, you will have to think about bottles, formula, water, etc. Another benefit to breastfeeding abroad is that your baby will be less likely to get sick.
You will need to have breastpads to soak up leaking milk while you travel. I recommend bringing 4-6 good, thick cotton or hemp pads that can be hand-washed. Wash them every day.
Diapers. Believe it or not, cloth diapers are actually easier to deal with on a backpacking trip than disposables. Why? Because cloth diapers are easy to clean, so long as you're not squeemish about it. Especially if baby isn't eating solid foods yet, even poop is easy to clean. If you're using disposable diapers, you will have to consider how you will dispose of them. If you are using cloth, you will have to consider how you will clean them. The old-fashioned, plain cloth diapers work better for such travel than the fancy all-in-ones or anything like that. You can simply hang the cloth diapers up to dry after you've washed them in a stream/hostel/hotel with a mild soap. You don't even need to soak them in anything if you wash them every day or two.
Another concern will be how you will sleep with the baby. It is a suffocation hazard to have baby in a mummy bag or anything like that, so getting warm sleepers for baby will be important.
It's a wonderful idea and a great adventure.
It is a perfect time to take them on international travels. Once they're more mobile, it will be harder to keep them entertained and happy on such trips for a few years. Shorter trips will be possible, but for something like you're describing, it's best to do it within the first year or so.
Some concerns will involve how you will carry the baby and all of your gear for travel. Backpacking may not actually be the best idea simply because of weight issues. You'll need an excellent, comfortable backpack baby carrier. It might be a better idea to plan on renting a car for your entire trip and doing it by road for the majority of the time, going on short backpacking jaunts as you go.
One thing to think about is the types of vaccinations you might want your baby to have while travelling. Some vaccinations can't be given until baby is a certain age, which would need to be taken into consideration.
You will need to get your baby's passport as soon as possible so you will have it by the time you are ready to travel.
Another consideration will be feeding baby. If you are breastfeeding, you will have the easiest job of it and you won't ever have to worry about water quality or having somewhere to heat formula. Also, if baby is less than 6 months old, she won't even need solid foods at all, which will make it all the easier. If you are formula-feeding, however, you will have to think about bottles, formula, water, etc. Another benefit to breastfeeding abroad is that your baby will be less likely to get sick.
You will need to have breastpads to soak up leaking milk while you travel. I recommend bringing 4-6 good, thick cotton or hemp pads that can be hand-washed. Wash them every day.
Diapers. Believe it or not, cloth diapers are actually easier to deal with on a backpacking trip than disposables. Why? Because cloth diapers are easy to clean, so long as you're not squeemish about it. Especially if baby isn't eating solid foods yet, even poop is easy to clean. If you're using disposable diapers, you will have to consider how you will dispose of them. If you are using cloth, you will have to consider how you will clean them. The old-fashioned, plain cloth diapers work better for such travel than the fancy all-in-ones or anything like that. You can simply hang the cloth diapers up to dry after you've washed them in a stream/hostel/hotel with a mild soap. You don't even need to soak them in anything if you wash them every day or two.
Another concern will be how you will sleep with the baby. It is a suffocation hazard to have baby in a mummy bag or anything like that, so getting warm sleepers for baby will be important.
It's a wonderful idea and a great adventure.
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Title Post: Do service dogs ever get carted around in wheeled carriers or strap on things that look like baby carriers?
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Rating: 96% based on 987 ratings. 4,7 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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