By: Renegades Foundation
But what happens to Service Animals that are not Dogs or Miniature Horses and are presently assisting their Disabled Owners?
Service Rat
Redefining the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of "Service Animal" to mean only "dog" or "miniature horse" is an injustice, and a grave erosion of the civil rights of Disabled People. The new definition of Service Animals makes no provision for Disabled People who are allergic to dogs, or who need an alternative species, and as such is government-sponsored discrimination against many Disabled Americans. Reclassifying hundreds of existing monkeys, and other non-canine Service Animals as "pets" is unconscionable.
Service Snake
We believe:
- That the new service animal law (recognizing only dogs as service animals) is unfair and too restrictive;
- That there needs to be an alternative species of service animal for disabled people who are allergic to dogs, physically unable to care for or walk dogs, or just too afraid of dogs;
- That war veterans using service cats for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other Anxiety Disorders must be allowed to continue using their service cats, and also civilians with PTSD or Anxiety;
- That service monkeys for paralyzed people deserve full legal protection as service animals in the event of emergency evacuation of their homes, and that the monkeys and their people must be allowed to remain together; and
- That hearings on Capitol Hill would be appropriate so our legislators can hear testimony from disabled people who use service animals.