“Oh, Yeah – My Service Dog Does That For Me, Too.”
I stay on top of things and always pay attention to trends in the service dog world, especially where veterans are involved, and several I’ve seen lately concern me. Here’s one…
When You Hear “Service Dog”, Think “Public Access”
Because public access is what drives and frames the whole service dog discussion.
When somebody says their dog is a service dog, public access is really what we’re talking about. If I describe my dog that way, the clear implication is that the dog does stuff for me and I can take it with me wherever I want. And, when it comes down to it, that’s the primary, if not only, reason to differentiate your dog in that way. (Note I didn’t say that that’s what defines a service dog – that’s another post.)
Waving The BS Flag
Every day I see dog stories that are…well, frankly, bull.
Nowhere do I see this problem more than with the almost constant daily barrage now of feelgood stories about dogs doing wonderful things for military people, both active duty and veterans, particularly those who are suffering with post-traumatic stress as their primary issue. Problem is, when you look closer and you know what to look for, there’s a lotta bull in those stories. Well-meaning bull, but bull nonetheless.
Every Veteran With A Disability Doesn’t Need A Service Dog, And This Is A Great Alternative
Just read about this great program for veterans recovering at Walter Reed that teaches them to train dogs at the Washington Humane Society. I’ve heard of other programs like this before, but not this specific one, and I think they’re tremendous. Note particularly what the people involved say about the program:
Army Capt. Lawrence Minnis sits with his two adopted pit bulls at the Washington Humane Society’s Behavior and Learning Center.
“Homeless Dogs Help Healing Troops”
Why Haven’t We Heard More About This Well-Known Veteran’s Service Dog Discrimination Case?
Haven’t had a lot to say lately, largely because I haven’t seen a lotta good things to write about, or even bad things that have enough substance to make them worth commenting on.
There is one story, though, that, while not a good one, definitely got my attention and I wanna talk about because no one else seems to be. It’s been 11 days since I first saw it on October 30th, and there’s still no reaction on major news services, Twitter, or blogs, which, given that I routinely see all three erupt over much, much less serious service dog incidents than this one, really strikes me as odd.
Wounded Warrior Receives Canine Companions Service Dog Raised in Prison Program
That’s what the headline and angle for this story could’ve actually been (or something like it) if someone wanted to write it that way.
The story I’m referring to is this article from The Oregonian a few days ago about Canine Companions for Independence puppies being raised at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for women in Wilsonville, OR:
“Future service dogs get their training by women inmates at Coffee Creek lockup”
“Franken – Isakson Service Dogs For Veterans Act” Introduced
The much discussed bill sponsored by Sen Al Franken, D-MN, was introduced on the floor of the US Senate today.
The actual bill is not online yet, but here’s the press release in its entirety for your review.
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Senators Franken and Isakson Introduce the Service Dogs For Veterans Act
Sen. Franken’s First Piece of Legislation Will Help Wounded Veterans
Why You Don’t See Me Writing About Some Very Popular “Service Dogs For Veterans” Stories
If you ever see a service dog story, especially if it involves a wounded warrior or veteran with a disability, where everybody BUT me seems to be talking about it, chances are pretty good this is why – I wrote this post a little over three months ago, and it all still applies:
“Service Dogs, Veterans, and PTSD”
How To Be Smarter Than Celebrities Are About Service Dog Programs
Based on some of the things I’ve been reading online and seeing on TV today, looks like it’s a really good time to say this yet again:
“Writing A Prescription For A Pet Does Not Transform Fluffy Or Fido Into A Service Animal.”
Amen.
I saw this quoted in a response by someone to an earlier letter in a small newspaper in Northern California today (“Will the real assistance animal please stand up?”). The response then goes on to talk about how dogs have to be trained for specific tasks to be considered service dogs.
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I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.
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