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Service animals are vital companions to people with disabilities, diligently and selflessly helping them to live their lives with as much freedom as possible, and protecting them from harm. However, some people abuse the system and lie about their dog being a service dog, or get dubious certificates claiming they need ’emotional support’ based on the flimsiest of reasons. Remember the emotional support peacock?
This service dog trainer decided to vent her frustration about the situation, and used her experience and expertise to illustrate the difference between an actual, properly trained service dog and one that has been simply labeled as a service dog for its owner’s selfish convenience. “I have been working around dogs thanks to my family since I was very young,” Lex told Bored Panda. “I became a professional dog trainer almost 3 years ago. I now work for a service dog training organization.” Her own service dog, Faith, performs a variety of tasks which she lists here: “MEDICAL ALERT – Migraine alert – Panic attack alert GUIDE – Follow a person – Find an exit PSYCHIATRIC – Deep pressure therapy – Tactile stimulation – Self harm disruption – Block (front) – Cover me (back) MOBILITY – Retrieve dropped items.”
As you can see, real service dogs really do save lives. Not only is it dishonest, but phenomenon of ‘fake’ service animals is causing real problems to those who actually need them, making already difficult situations even more difficult. What is being done to change this situation? “There is, and as far as I know, a couple bills have been proposed to congress,” Lex told us. “However, it has been deemed that requiring such certification or licencing would be discriminatory and in violation of the ADA. Personally, I believe there needs to be a national certification and registration for LEGITIMATE service dogs trained to assist people with LEGITIMATE disabilities.”
Scroll down below to read Lex’s eloquent explanation below and let us know what you think in the comments. Do you have a service animal? Have you come across anyone with an obviously ‘fake’ one? Join the discussion!
RELATED:
Tumblr user Trainingfaith is a service dog trainer. This is her service dog, Faith
She has become increasingly frustrated with people falsely claiming their pets as service animals
Here’s how people reacted to the informative post
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What do you think ?
Carol Emory 6 years ago
Basically this, if you have to lie to get your way, then you are a horrible person. I get so sick and tired of people that lie, pretend and try to con people because they don't feel they should have to play by the rules like everyone else. And that jackass that said he went online and got his dog certified in 20 minutes...you knew it wasn't legit. The government needs to crack down on those websites and heavily fine anyone that falsely claims their dog is a service dog.
Hannah Ingram 6 years ago
I recently found out that fake valour was a thing, like why do you want to fake that?
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Night Owl 6 years ago
This infuriates me! I don't know how but there has to be a way to stop people from keeping fake service animals or at least to stop thighs from getting worse with more and more people with fake service animals around.
diane a 6 years ago
My dogs were beutiful- friendly and loved everyone - but i would never in a million years have lied to take them into a premises - they loved everyone too much - which can be dangerouos and scary for people
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Your name 6 years ago
I'm a nurse and I worked in a prison for several years which happened to have a service dog training program for the inmates. It was extremely effective especially to promote good behavior from the inmates training the dogs and for those who got to interact with the dogs. One of the best things about being a nurse there was getting a call from my friends who were Sargents of the unit that they got a new puppy and then they would have an inmate bring them over (important for the puppies to socialize and it was a great part of my day). There was a women who faked having a service dog so she could bring her dog into the prison but we couldn't do anything about it. Her dog ended up attacking one of our dogs and she had to go to the vet. She refused to pay the vet bill and this evil b***h just kept bringing her dog in. I'm not sure what ended up happening but I know at the time, this was a few years ago, it was illegal to demand proof that she had a legit service dog.
IWishIWasBob 6 years ago
That’s just sad...not for the lady but for the dog! The poor dog was probably tortured and hurt...people like her shouldn’t have dogs unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Load More Replies...
Carol Emory 6 years ago
Basically this, if you have to lie to get your way, then you are a horrible person. I get so sick and tired of people that lie, pretend and try to con people because they don't feel they should have to play by the rules like everyone else. And that jackass that said he went online and got his dog certified in 20 minutes...you knew it wasn't legit. The government needs to crack down on those websites and heavily fine anyone that falsely claims their dog is a service dog.
Hannah Ingram 6 years ago
I recently found out that fake valour was a thing, like why do you want to fake that?
Load More Replies... Night Owl 6 years ago
This infuriates me! I don't know how but there has to be a way to stop people from keeping fake service animals or at least to stop thighs from getting worse with more and more people with fake service animals around.
diane a 6 years ago
My dogs were beutiful- friendly and loved everyone - but i would never in a million years have lied to take them into a premises - they loved everyone too much - which can be dangerouos and scary for people
Load More Replies... Your name 6 years ago
I'm a nurse and I worked in a prison for several years which happened to have a service dog training program for the inmates. It was extremely effective especially to promote good behavior from the inmates training the dogs and for those who got to interact with the dogs. One of the best things about being a nurse there was getting a call from my friends who were Sargents of the unit that they got a new puppy and then they would have an inmate bring them over (important for the puppies to socialize and it was a great part of my day). There was a women who faked having a service dog so she could bring her dog into the prison but we couldn't do anything about it. Her dog ended up attacking one of our dogs and she had to go to the vet. She refused to pay the vet bill and this evil b***h just kept bringing her dog in. I'm not sure what ended up happening but I know at the time, this was a few years ago, it was illegal to demand proof that she had a legit service dog.
IWishIWasBob 6 years ago
That’s just sad...not for the lady but for the dog! The poor dog was probably tortured and hurt...people like her shouldn’t have dogs unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Load More Replies...
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