WHEN PUTTING ON THE DOG IS A PUT-ON

EARTHBOUND TOMBOY

BY HEIDI JOHNSON-WRIGHT

What is it with human beings and their tendency to exploit something, even if means hurting others?

It seems there’s been an incredible proliferation of fake service animals as of late. Some people without disabilities are choosing to masquerade as folks who are disabled and pretend Fido or Fifi is a service dog rather than a pet. Then the dog can accompany them anywhere the general public can go: restaurants, stores, theaters, parks, hotels, airplanes – you name it.

 

How can this be? Unfortunately, the law inadvertently makes fraud possible.

If someone is legitimately disabled, the disability is obvious and the dog’s assistance is readily apparent (e.g., the dog is guiding an individual who is blind, pulling a person's wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability), then the ADA says a business is not even supposed to ask questions. Owner and dog are to be admitted.

 

When the person’s disability is not apparent – as would be the case for someone malingering but also for someone with a legitimate but hidden disability -- the law allows a business to ask the dog owner two questions. Does he need the animal because of a disability and what tasks has the animal been trained to perform? But that’s it. If the fraudster says the dog is a service animal and gives one example of a “task,” the inquiry ends. Come on in.

Under no circumstance can a business require the owner to present any special identification cards or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.

Obviously, knuckleheads gaming the system hurt folks with real but hidden disabilities the most. But in the end, the fakers hurt everyone. Businesses are becoming more suspicious and, ignorant of the law, are insisting that a legitimate service dog must wear a special vest or its owner must have some sort of a wallet card certification.

Because folks with real disabilities are growing tired of being hassled every time they go to Red Lobster or the Gap with their dogs, they’re buying these unnecessary things. Plenty of companies online are more than happy to sell you a $5 vest, a $2 tag and a $1 wallet care for $200, plus shipping and handling.    

The more folks that outfit their dogs with these unnecessary items, the more business owners think they’re required. It creates an ugly vicious cycle.

The fraudsters apparently see no harm in their lies. They think it’s no big deal that disabled folks are being eyed with suspicion and may even be turned away by frustrated, misinformed business owners.

 

In the end, people with real disabilities who truly need service dogs are the ones who pay the price.

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