New Rules

Our ADA officer at work just forwarded this to me. I was surprised to see that ADA and DOJ would actually specify that a  service animal is a dog (or horse). I thought it would be easier just define a service animal as an animal that performs a task that makes the person's life livable. Extra surprised to see they address emotional support animals. I guess this is going to shape our current animals on campus policy, and I know of one person who has an emotional support dog who will be very un-happy.

I guess there must have been a lot of complaints for them to make a move like this. Like many I am incensed by the 'great pretenders' that we all see out there, but I'm also kind of live and let live. If your animal is in control and you pick up after it.....meh. What I'd like to do away with are the bad seeds that make it harder for us to train and legit users to go about their lives.

Here is the new policy:

Service Animals. The rule defines "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in the definition of "service animal."  

And continuing on with cleaning out my 'funday' file, here are some pictures from the 'Running of the Dogs' or as most folks know it as 'Follow the Trainer' if you've ever done it you know that the 'brisk' walk is more like a fast trot. This year I saw a few blogging friends. I think that is Erin's (Rocco) foot in the picture below, and some place I might have a shot of Megan's (Paris and Snickers) feet too.

mom and I were so far behind our group we ran into another group

I think this is Dodger

This is Nissan - I can see his tag

Pretty sure the person's name is Kristen

Have a great weekend!