Beth——-
I’m just curious, why do you feel this way? I do not have a service dog, or know anyone with one, so this is just my layman’s opinion/observations. I have just a regular dog as a pet. There is a huge expense that goes along with having a regular dog as a pet. When I board my dog, not only is it expensive, but I have to provide all proof of shot records/immunizations/etc. My dog is not allowed in most businesses because it is not a service dog. I think that requiring a license for an animal/that provides a legitimate service is totally reasonable. When people compare a dog to a motility device, that makes no sense to me. A dog is not a wheelchair or a scooter or a rolator. Do you know who has motility devices? People who need them. Do you know who has dogs? About 40% of US households. That’s why it should be closely regulated. Again, I’m just curious why someone would feel it shouldn’t be regulated. I know that the law as it stands doesn’t allow for that, just wondering why it shouldn’t be changed.
Hi Disneychick13,
I just came back on to correct my previous post to Lilsia, but I am touched that you are asking why i feel the way I do and I would love to respond. Thank you so much for asking.
I've mentioned previously that the spirit of the ADA when it disallows documentation for service dogs, does so to not unfairly burden a disabled person that uses the SD. To require documentation is seen as making these service dog handlers second class citizens by requiring them to get permission to go into public, while no one else has to do that. The reason service dogs are equated to mobility devices despite being animals, is that their only purpose and reason they are allowed is to make it possible for these people to live their lives in a more equal way to the non-disabled. In this way, they are the same as any other medical device. They allow some to have a more equal experience in their lives to others by providing a way for them to function that they would not otherwise be able to have. Non-disabled people can freely come and go in public. Disabled people with medical devices are allowed to freely come and go in public. To then require that someone that uses a service dog for the same purpose to NOT be able to freely come and go in public (without showing proof/getting permission everywhere they go) is seen as discrimination because it is not equal treatment.
This is why the law reads as it does. It's a point that I agree with and feel very strongly both philosophically and personally.
As someone who is disabled by mental illness, and even moreso, my particular mental illnesses, I am discriminated against everywhere I go, service dog or not. I have been rejected by everyone I know, blamed for my illnesses that have literally been caused by other people in my life, and ridiculed when I try to set the record straight. No one tolerates me having any symptoms or acting naturally, as this disrupts other people's comfort and worldview that the world is safe and just. I am constantly corrected that I have no disabilities because it has been necessary to do my best to hide every aspect of myself. I struggle with never feeling seen, never being accepted in society, and people online and in my life trying to erase who I really am and not allowing me to express myself. I have daily flashbacks, constant suicidality and violent impulses and because I have dissociative identity disorder I am plagued by crowds of voices, emotions and experiences in my head of thousands of "other parts" of myself. Sometimes it comes in the form of hallucinations and delusions. No one wants me to exist. It is uncomfortable.
Because this is my personal experience, I believe that the potential for further service dog regulations (and showing proof to be allowed in public) has the potential to truly destroy any sense I have of being "okay" to exist or be treated like I am an equal to others in society. To be forced to get permission to even walk in to a grocery store, restaurant or shopping mall further ostracizes me and seems inhumane.
Of course, this particular explanation is only based on my personal experience and disability. Philosophically, I believe that other service dog handlers with different disabilities could also experience this as inhumane gate keeping that keeps them in a separate, "inferior" category than everybody else as well. All disability laws are specifically written to avoid this dilemma.
I don't expect my reasoning to resonate with everyone or change people's minds. Lilsia doesn't agree with me for one, and I don't want her or anyone else to feel like I'm negating their opposing opinions or saying they have to agree with me.
I wanted to come back on here to comment further to Lilisia that perhaps I am being unfair to her by saying she has been rude. Yes, I have been hurt because I felt I was not allowed to have a different opinion without it being called "pointless" or implied that I was an idiot for not seeing it her way. It felt like no matter how carefully I tried to explain myself or validate others' opinions, mine couldn't be left alone without being reminded that I was stupid for disagreeing. But I recognize I am sensitive to feeling unheard and erased and I would not want to be unfair. To Lilsia, if I have unfairly categorized you, I am truly sorry. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.
I see that DisneyOma has replied since I've been writing this too, and I have no seen her post. Maybe this comment will be helpful to her as well. I'm truly sorry if I've upset or offended anyone.
