Does anyone know what organization gives out service dog credentials?
This may be a a growing trend but it seems like anyone can get a service dog tag for any dog they want.
This weekend I must have seen 20 folks with dogs that had service credentials. Just about all of these dogs were clearly not trained as service dogs, and the folks who had them were clearly not in need of a service dog. It makes me sade seen some of these very young dogs being dragged around, or kept out in the heat with no shade or water being provided by the owner. However since they have a service dog tag, they are allowed to bring them everywhere. This seems to be a new trend in the tour community??
We had one dog bite incendent this weekend at the mighty high, which was a result of a poor dog get stepped on that was laying down in the middle of the crowd during a night time set.
Who gives out these credentials? this is quite a diservice to both these poor dogs, but also to the folks who truly benefit from service dogs.
Who gives out service dog credentials
Started by
crazysage
, May 22 2012 04:40 PM
31 replies to this topic
#2
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- VibeTribe
- 595 posts
Posted 22 May 2012 - 05:06 PM
lol no one...
and yes, indeed, it is a trend among some of the tour community.
you print out a little thing on internet and voila, you dog can go with you to the show, your hotel room etc.
i also heard, that apparently, a service dog owner is not allowed to be questioned as to his or hers disability...or even be required to show dog's "service papers"
(i have no source or proof for the above findings, ive deducted that from a little "field" research)
and yes, indeed, it is a trend among some of the tour community.
you print out a little thing on internet and voila, you dog can go with you to the show, your hotel room etc.
i also heard, that apparently, a service dog owner is not allowed to be questioned as to his or hers disability...or even be required to show dog's "service papers"
(i have no source or proof for the above findings, ive deducted that from a little "field" research)
#6
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 05:22 PM
I knew what you meantRight. I was referring to the wink wink nudge nudge aspect.
This just really bothered me this weekend.
I have a dog, if I really wanted to have him there with me I certainly could have. I chose not to, as I festival is not a good environment for a dog IMO
#9
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 05:30 PM
honestly, I actually qualify for a service dog, but if I had one I would never bring it to a music festival, there's just no way I could properly provide for the dog and make sure that it was kept safe in that environment... people that are taking advantage of these exceptions that are carved out for people like myself are really pathetic individuals
#12
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 06:12 PM
As I saw the numerous dogs walk in, I got the distinct sense we were being scammed. But we were powerless to do anything about it. Seems like more and more festyheads are just taking advantage of the situation where they know it's unlikely anybody will challenge them. And we at the door didn't know enough about service dog credentials to properly challenge them.
My expectation is that a service dog is clearly well marked, and the owner has some obvious disability (wheelchair, cane, or just has some sort of other obvious issue). But that's not always the case. As an example, some dogs can sense an Epileptic fit before it happens, but the dog/person doesn't fit any obvious physical profile. I also heard service dogs can alert to help with food allergies. There's probably a list of Service dog "services" that defy the stereotypical dog/owner presentation, which makes it even more difficult to challenge somebody.
i wonder if there's a national service dog registry or something that can help educate us.
My expectation is that a service dog is clearly well marked, and the owner has some obvious disability (wheelchair, cane, or just has some sort of other obvious issue). But that's not always the case. As an example, some dogs can sense an Epileptic fit before it happens, but the dog/person doesn't fit any obvious physical profile. I also heard service dogs can alert to help with food allergies. There's probably a list of Service dog "services" that defy the stereotypical dog/owner presentation, which makes it even more difficult to challenge somebody.
i wonder if there's a national service dog registry or something that can help educate us.
#13
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 06:18 PM
you might consider contacting canine companions for Independence... they are one of the largest service dog training organizations out there,they are at http://www.cci.org
there is also more information here at the federal government's Americans with disabilities act information page: http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
item number 10 is interesting... You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded.
The page mostly talks about dealing with it at a business location, but there is a hotline number at the bottom which may be able to clarify how the rules should be handled for an outdoor music festival. Because it's an event that requires tickets, there is a possibility that it may not be considered unreasonable to provide proof of the need for the service dog, but I just don't know.
there is also more information here at the federal government's Americans with disabilities act information page: http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
item number 10 is interesting... You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded.
The page mostly talks about dealing with it at a business location, but there is a hotline number at the bottom which may be able to clarify how the rules should be handled for an outdoor music festival. Because it's an event that requires tickets, there is a possibility that it may not be considered unreasonable to provide proof of the need for the service dog, but I just don't know.
#15
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 06:56 PM
As I saw the numerous dogs walk in, I got the distinct sense we were being scammed. But we were powerless to do anything about it. Seems like more and more festyheads are just taking advantage of the situation where they know it's unlikely anybody will challenge them. And we at the door didn't know enough about service dog credentials to properly challenge them. My expectation is that a service dog is clearly well marked, and the owner has some obvious disability (wheelchair, cane, or just has some sort of other obvious issue). But that's not always the case. As an example, some dogs can sense an Epileptic fit before it happens, but the dog/person doesn't fit any obvious physical profile. I also heard service dogs can alert to help with food allergies. There's probably a list of Service dog "services" that defy the stereotypical dog/owner presentation, which makes it even more difficult to challenge somebody. i wonder if there's a national service dog registry or something that can help educate us.
the kind that I have been seeing more of lately is service dogs for diabetics that can detect blood sugar levels. pretty cool
I'm sensitive to those who need the dogs, but IMO, I do think the regulations needed to be tightened up on not just who can have a service dogs, but if private businesses can restrict the dogs from their premises if they choose. I've run into situations in the past working in restaurants where people will come in with a service dog and I've had other patrons either afraid of dogs or allergic to them. Not exactly a pleasant situation to deal with.
#17
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 07:12 PM
I don't even really blame the wooks for discovering and exploiting this loophole. That's their nature! Shame on the establishment for not having better control over it.
Seems like all you have to do is buy a a little kit, including a tag and a dog vest, and you're all set.
Seems like all you have to do is buy a a little kit, including a tag and a dog vest, and you're all set.
#20
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 11:09 PM
I remember when dogs used to be allowed at vibes...I almost had to bring my dog one year... had all the vets paperwokr that she had her shots..at last minute I found someone to watch her. I guess I am a damn wook!
like any of us didn't know you were a wook.
#22
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 11:31 PM
at Ken Hays's fest they have some reps at the gate that can look up credentials. I'm sure it's not cheap to acquire their services though. Merlefest in North Carolina has some reps before the gate and they can also verfy credentials. They work for donations which the Merlefest crowd gives out very generously. They also have stickers and stuff for the kids, it's a great operation. Sorry I dont know who either of these groups are though.
#23
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 11:52 PM
im not saying this system isnt abused, bc it is, BUT its impossible to tell just by looking at someone if they need a service dog or not. service dogs can do all sorts of things, including smelling if someone is getting ready to have some sort of seizure, so that owner could look the picture of health.
i guess you could tell by a dogs bad behavior it wasnt a service dog, but again various breeds can perform various tasks, so just bc its a poodle doesnt mean its not trained to do something.
i guess you could tell by a dogs bad behavior it wasnt a service dog, but again various breeds can perform various tasks, so just bc its a poodle doesnt mean its not trained to do something.
#24
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 11:54 PM
im not saying this system isnt abused, bc it is, BUT its impossible to tell just by looking at someone if they need a service dog or not
this... there are a good deal of disabilities out there that are not in any way visible...
I've never heard of the blood sugar dogs, but that's awesome!
#27
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- VibeTribe
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Posted 23 May 2012 - 12:03 AM
out of curiosity i went to workingservicedog.com and it seemed very easy to order id badges and and vests and what not with no real credentials. the only thing it did say was that its "illegal to represent your dog as a working dog if its not so dont do it" but i didnt see any real controls to prevent this.
on the id cards you can have their id # - but it looked like this was merely an option. and honestly if i was working somewhere and saw a dog with a vets and a badge i wouldnt think to stop and say whats its id # exactly? id just think it was legit.
on the id cards you can have their id # - but it looked like this was merely an option. and honestly if i was working somewhere and saw a dog with a vets and a badge i wouldnt think to stop and say whats its id # exactly? id just think it was legit.
