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| James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby. Check out my column in the 06-30-14 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island Newspaper, Please click on recommend if you like it! http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/service-dogs-and-service-humans/article_515369ae-0003-11e4-9178-001a4bcf887a.html |
Everyone knows the term Service dog. Service dogs have become very popular the last decade.
Service dogs are as common as apple pie. There are service dogs for every ailment under the sun. The ADA cannot discriminate from a blind person to a mentally ill person and those in between.
The oldest form of service dog is the service guide dog for the blind, usually a German shepherd, however any breed of dog can be trained to guide or service. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows for numerous kinds of services provided from dogs.Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
There are now many 'PSD dogs.' (Psychiatric Service Dogs,) not to be confused with PTSD. You need a confirmation from your MD or Psychiatrist that the dog is instrumental for your mental health. In many cases the dogs work better than the best anti-Psychotic medications. Dogs really are healing and for some people a matter of life and death.
If you see a dog wearing a service vest, do not pet that dog, that dog is working for that person, and not there for your entertainment. That dog needs to be focused on the person with the disability. Remember people with service dogs are not portable petting zoo's in the same essence would you want someone going up to your child or significant other and touching them without permission. It is also proper etiquette to not ask the person with a service animal what there disability is, unless of course that information is politely volunteered.
There was the recent incident where a service dog on US Airways Flight 598 from Los Angeles to Philadelphia had to make an emergency landing in Kansas City, Mo. after a dog twice defecated in the center aisle,since the smell was making passengers ill. Was that dog truly a service dog?
There are people abusing the system of service dogs, since anybody and their brother can buy a vest on the internet that reads "Service Dog." I believe most people with service animals are legitimate, however there are always a few that abuse the system. Just like the people who have handicapped parking stickers that are not handicapped. I never let that bother me, since I believe in karma, and karma will eventually come and bite them in the buttocks.
Similarly, and to have some fun, I too am a service. I am a "Service human" to my dog. Why not?
I am going to start wearing a vest that says "Service Human." I can see it now, my dog walking me with a leash and plastic bag in hand just in case I decide to do my business . She will also be able to teach me the proper greeting of smelling another in that special place.
Now I just need a note from my dogs veterinarian qualifying me as a service human! I am hoping eBay has the vests, if not there'a always Amazon.
Auntie Maile Kinimaka singing Hanalei on her 75th Birthday party at Kealia beach on Kauai.
"Hau`oli Lā Hānau" Happy Birthday! Maile was a regular on the old Magnum P.I. TV show starring Tom Selleck. She played Higgin's maid. Just click on YouTube link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RbNBQEKDDE
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...
