It’s a dog! It’s a plane! It’s a turkey!
What makes a legitimate support animal? There has been a fair bit of controversy in the news lately when it comes to this topic, and a lot of surprising stories about so-called support animals. I think this question is important because there are clearly reasonable and logical uses for support animals. The upside is they provide independence, freedom and safety to those who truly have physical, mental or emotional challenges.
Photo: https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-11-23/how-service-dogs-provide-support
Unfortunately, though, where there is an upside there is a downside and now there are people who choose to take advantage of society being increasingly open to support animals in public by claiming to be in need of a support animal when they are not. This negatively impacts truly disabled people because it lessens the legitimacy of them having support animals with them in their everyday lives. It is also insulting because a service animal is a useful and lifesaving tool for people in need but it is being reduced to the status of a “bring your pet to school or work” day kind of scenario.
I'll be exploring several questions in the weeks to come. What are the legitimate uses of support and service animals? Why are they so vital to so many people? I’ll be doing research on the history of support animals. What are the different organizations that train and use animals? Who are the people involved in these organizations and who benefits from them? I’ll also be looking at the flip side of the question. Who are the people claiming their pets and random, odd animals are support animals? How does this impact the whole system in place for people who legitimately need them? How does this affect businesses and the public who have to co-exist with these animals? For these questions, I’ll be looking at recent news articles about legitimate and illegitimate service animals on airplanes and in other locations.
Photo: http://www.businessinsider.com/emotional-support-turkey-on-a-plane-2016-1
Grace, I want to say that I really like how you designed your blog page, it looks very neat and professional. As for your article, I was not aware that other animals besides dogs could be used as a service animal, but I guess it makes sense. My understanding is that dogs must go through and pass a rigorous training program in order to become a certified service dog. They are given a special vest to wear in order to be identifiable as a service dog. The stories I have heard about fake service dogs have involved people somehow fabricating these vests in order to pass their pet as a service dog. I believe there is even websites that openly sell these fake vests, so that is definitely a part of the problem. I think there is also something called a therapy animal, which is similar to a service animal. Interesting post, looking forward to seeing your findings!
ReplyDeleteI really love seeing someone talk about this because I actually have had some of my friends get their dogs certified as an "emotional" support animal and are now able to have more liency to take their pets out in public places. I didn't even think about how it's almost an insult to people with actual needs because they are making a bad image for people who really truly need it, and I agree 100% that it needs to stop so legitimate cases can have the support they need. I think this issue is hard because it's hard to prove whether someone "needs" a support animal or "want" a support animal. I would also really like to know how hard it is to actually get a license for a support animal. Do you just have to show proof of medical issues or just put the effort to try and get one? Can't wait to keep checking in on your findings and seeing what you dig up! (Get it like a dog digging up a bone?)
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ReplyDeleteHi Grace,
I enjoyed reading your post! I agree with you that people are taking advantage of this, because I see dogs wherever I go now with a service vest on. I have done a lot of traveling in the past year and man I’ve never seen so many dogs at the airport in my life! It was crazy, I was thinking to myself, “seriously people.” I’m glad you brought this up because I know these pets play an important role for a lot of people, but I’m not so informed on this topic. As you mentioned the word history, it made me curious as to how service animals began? Or who was the first one in need of a support animal? I found it interesting that you brought up different kinds of service animals because I only thought dogs were service pets. I wish you luck on your research and am ready to learn more myself!
I completely agree that there should be some kind of regulations to keep support animals legitimate. I love that you brought up this issue because I personally don't see enough people talk about this subject. Support animals are really helpful tools/companions for people who truly need them, and I have heard people telling me that they are only calling theirs a support animal so they can have the extra privileges. I wonder what animals can all be considered support animals? I wonder how strict they are with the service animal you want to have support you. I look forward to what information you find!
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