OUR VISION AND MISSION...

http://www.yadempowers.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Disability_symbols_16.pngOUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES...To advocate, to consult, to provide support, to educate businesses and the general public, and to link those of us who support all Service Animals, not just Dogs, and the use of Service Dogs and other Alternative Service Animals for Emotional Support, as these are not comfort animals or therapy animals, but, again, Service Animals.

We shall respect and protect the rights of Service Dogs and other Alternative Service Animals for the Blind, the Mobility Impaired, the Physically Challenged, the Neurologically Affected, and those with Psychiatric Disorders, to include those with not so readily seen Disabilities also known as Invisible Disabilities such as certain forms of Arthritis, Aids, PTSD, the Diabetic, the Epileptic, The Hearing Impaired, etc. Further, to work with the political area in order to enhance the vision and mission of this grassroots non-profit organization.

(Pending 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 status -- Per IRS Non-Profit Code and until the aforementioned status is fully approved, the non-profit organization is considered a Private Foundation in the Non-Profit Sector and able to collect donations from the General Public and Businesses)

ABC NEWS ERRS ON STORY OF ROSIE, THE THERAPY DOG

This story was discovered on the internet and as it turns out ABC News has made a mistake in classifying the type of working dog that Rosie is. They have misinformed the general public by saying that Rosie is a Service Dog. While the story is beautiful and inspirational, Rosie is not a Service Dog. To demonstrate this we shall have you read the beginning phase of the story, and then, provide you with the legal definition of Service Animals, and Therapy Animals.

Dog in New York Court Takes the Witness Stand




By CHRISTINA NG

It was a tense moment in a Poughkeepsie courtroom when a 15-year-old girl who had been the victim of sexual abuse for four years was asked to point out the man who had violated her. The girl seemed to freeze.

Then a furry snout and wet brown nose came up over the stand and nudged her arm. The girl's demeanor changed and she was able to point out the man in the courtroom and continue with her testimony. The man was found guilty and is facing 25 years to life in prison.

The snout that helped the girl overcome the difficult moment on June 13 belongs to Rose, affectionately called Rosie, an 11-year-old golden retriever service dog whose specialty is comforting people.

This is the first time in New York State that a service dog has sat on the witness stand during a trial.

"My heart was in my throat," said Sherry Cookinham the unit supervisor for the Children's Home in Poughkeepsie that has been helping the teenage girl. "I knew at that moment that Rosie was doing her job and the little girl was going to be okay."


LEGAL DEFINITIONS



What Is a Service Dog (Animal)?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990), a dog is considered a "service dog" if it has been "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Also according to the ADA, a 'disability' is a "mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity" such as:


• caring for one's self
• performing manual tasks
• walking
• seeing
• hearing
• speaking
• breathing
• learning
• working
• disabilities that may not be visible



To be considered a service dog/animal, the dog/animal must be trained to perform tasks directly related to the person's disability.


What Is a Therapy Dog (Animal)?

A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas.

Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.

A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an individual's lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Many dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audience or by playing carefully structured games.

What Rights Do These Dogs Have?

Therapy Dogs are not Assistance Dogs. Assistance dogs are used to assist humans and are allowed in most public areas. Assistance Dogs are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, Therapy Dogs do not provide direct assistance to humans and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act. An institution may invite or prohibit a therapy dog from entering their facilities and usually have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs who are allowed to enter.