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Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr I do wish more businesses in our country were dog friendly as there is no reason for them not to be. Dogs do go everywhere in a lot of places in Europe and I think if we start taking our dogs everywhere and doing just what you did by not ginving them our business then businesses will be foced to change these ridiculous policies.
I don't have the problem because all of mine are service dogs and have to be allowed unrestricted access with no charge to any place that is open to the public. I am not blind, but my disability is such that I can use a dog to help me with my normal daily activities such as picking things up, retrieving items, alerting to certain situations and sounds, etc. It is a great law and I would never encourage anyone who did not have a condition which qualifies under the law to do this, but most of us have some malady that our dogs could assist us with and so for them it is the best. They can have their baby with them always.
We have a long way to go to educate the public about the health benefits of dogs, as evidenced by some of the negative feedback I've gotten even here on this forum, but it is a proven fact that dogs reduce stress and can even give people a reason to live. Our legislators recognized this when they enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act and I am trying my best to educate everyone about the law. It helps everyone...the disabled, the dogs and the able-bodied. It harms no one. It's a win win. |
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...8poochlgn.html
San Diego has been a hot spot in the state for ADA abuse, with litigious predators targeting area small businesses as they exploit the law. Knowing that many small businesses without the financial resources to fight lawsuits will often settle out of court, ADA abusers have perfected the art of extracting settlements in exchange for dropping costly legal cases.
Accommodating Californians with special needs is vital, though abuse of the current system has resulted in great distress to many family businesses in San Diego and across the state. Ironically, this law that was originally designed to open doors for the disabled has forced some business to close their doors altogether. The Americans with Disabilities Act should be about providing access, not a payday for shakedown artists.
http://www.iaadp.org/CADO_Advocacy.html
The Department of Justice tells businesses to view dogs with such training as mobility aids, a form of assistive technology similar to equipment like a wheelchair, an assistive listening device or a blind person's white cane.
Unfortunately, some individuals are interpreting the regulatory language on service animals in ways which distort the intent of Congress in granting access rights to citizens who have a disability. They appear to view this civil rights legislation as a clever legal loophole allowing them to escape zoning restrictions, the payment of pet deposits, shipping fees or as a way to get around other ordinances or rules about pets, barnyard animals and protection dogs. Most of them seem unaware of ADA's requirement for disability mitigating task training or view it as a mere technicality to be ignored with impunity.
I have known truly disabled people and they face so many challenges – it can be heartbreaking.
I can’t help but think if the system of service dogs is being abused, it could really hurt the people who need it the most. To abuse this system is sinful.
I’m sorry, but if you are so disabled that you can’t pick up your keys in public – you won’t be able to reach down to take the keys from your Yorkies mouth.
The fact is – NOT EVERYONE LOVES DOGS THE WAY WE DO. I would never disrespect a business or public establishment to bring my dog where “we” weren’t wanted. I might choose to not visit that establishment – but I sure wouldn’t want to force my “wants” onto them.
If you are so stressed, that you can’t leave the house without your dog – take a pill. If this is an anxiety you have, maybe a visit to a doctor would be in order.
I am extremely familiar with the ADA – it is despicable someone would take advantage of this system just because you want to take your dogs everywhere with you.