[Artemisia] service animals at SCA events

[morgan wolf]

> ________________________________
> From: Rebecca Mikkelsen <mikkelsen_rebecca at hotmail.com>
> To: artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org
> Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 4:23:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [Artemisia] service animals at SCA events
> 
> 
> Thank you, Gefjon, for bringing this information to our attention.  I don't 
> think it is off-topic for this list.  There are many people in the SCA who like 
>
> to bring their animals to events, and many of those animals do not meet these 
> new guidelines.
> 
> Rebecca
> 
> > Interesting information:  This change in the ADA went into effect Tuesday,
> > March 15th 2011 (first change in something like 20 yrs!)
> > 
> > New defination to "service animals":  (from the ADA gov. fact sheet)
> > "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."  ( from the actual legal text:  The crime deterrent effects of an
> > animal?s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being,
> > comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes
> > of this definition.)
> > 
> > (there are some very limited circumstances where min. horses are allowed as
> > service animals)
> > 
> > Two Questions may now be asked: 
> > "A public accommodation shall not ask about the nature or extent of a
> > person?s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an
> > animal qualifies as a service animal. A public accommodation may ask if the
> > animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal
> > has been trained to perform. A public accommodation shall not require
> > documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or
> > licensed as a service animal. Generally, a public accommodation may not make
> > these inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that an
> > animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a
> > disability (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or
> > has low vision, pulling a person?s wheelchair, or providing assistance with
> > stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility
> > disability). "
> > 
> > Animal under handler?s control. "A service animal shall be under the control
> > of its handler. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other
> > tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a
> > harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other
> > tether would interfere with the service animal?s safe, effective performance
> > of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under
> > the handler?s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective
> > means)." 
> > 

While there is a very specific difference between Disability Service Animals, 
Therapy Animals, and Companion Animals, and the law only requires that the 
Service Animals be allowed into places where animals are normally not allowed, 
most businesses allow all three rather than risk offending a customer/client by 
asking for the dog's documentation.  

For me personally, no my dogs are not trained Service Animals, but they are most 
definitely Companion Animals that not only know when I'm suffering agonizing 
spasms, they also do their best to physically comfort me (Mac will actually make 
himself into a backrest/heater ).
 Morgan 


Baron Morgan Blaidd Du,
GHA(2), CQC, PCA, CCH;
Protege and Ghillie to Baron Master James Ulrich MacKellar, OL OP;
and Baroness Mistress Rachel Ashton, OP .org/mailman/listinfo/artemisia
>