[pct-l] (photo) Hiker Approaching Forester Pass

[David Ellzey]

>> RANT MODE ON

I didn't read the journal so I don't want to judge this particular situation but as someone who has a SDIT (service dog in training) any misuse of the ADA legislation that protects the use of service dogs really bothers me.

In my case I am permanently hearing impaired (a combination of military service and bad genes) and was told to expect to be legally deaf within 10 years. I can get along without a service dog right now but the rate at which my hearing is deteriorating is alarming and I expect to require my dog's service more and more over the next few years.

The process for training a service dog is incredibly time intensive, takes at least a year but can take up to 2. In theory, a service dog SHOULD be certified by a reputable program but the law is actually grey in that area. 

Regardless if this is actually a service dog or not, if she is allowing the animal off leash then she is abusing the status. At NO TIME is a service dog to be off leash while "working", not to mention the very strict rules within the NPS. 

Anyway, I suggest that if anyone runs across somebody that you feel is abusing the service dog legislation, report them to the authorities. In California a conviction is very serious with large fines and potential prison time.

>> RANT MODE OFF

Dave (Bigtoe)

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Gary Schenk
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 1:10 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] (photo) Hiker Approaching Forester Pass

While it is hard to imagine what disability a person who is capable of 
crossing Forester Pass solo might have, there's no evidence that she is 
abusing the service status.

On Friday 29 May 2009 13:00:10 Will Hiltz wrote:
> Abuse of service status is really short-sighted IMHO.  Lots of people in
> the state I live in are pushing the limit and there will be a backlash.
>
>
>
> Easy
>
> On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 3:53 PM, Gary Schenk <gwschenk at socal.rr.com> wrote:
> > On Friday 29 May 2009 12:51:40 Gary Schenk wrote:
> > > On Friday 29 May 2009 12:07:50 jeff.singewald at comcast.net wrote:
> > > > Scott,
> > > > This appears to be from last year.  Correct?  This is not the class
> > > > of 2009.  And yes, what's up with the dog?
> > >
> > > Apparently it is a service dog. It travels unleashed most of the time,
> >
> > and
> >
> > > likes to chomp on marmots, chipmunks and squirrels. Earlier in their
> > > section hikes it didn't seem to be a service dog. They wrote of making
> > > a decision when they went through Lassen. At some point the dog
> > > obtained service status.
> >
> > Oh, she did mention that she kept it under control in bighorn territory.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Pct-l mailing list
> > Pct-l at backcountry.net
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l


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