"Do you know of any dog friendly places to go in the Sacramento and surrounding areas? Would like to update our list? Thanks"
Someone had responded seeming to suggest that if a store doesn't allow dogs that you should just state that your dog is a service dog to be able to take the dog in with you.
I want to take a few minutes to clarify what is a Service Dog..what training is involved, Therapy Dog - what rights access do they have and then our Pet Dogs.
Service Dogs
Dogs that are specifically trained to perform a minimum of 3 tasks to help mitigate a persons disability recognized by the ADA.
Service dogs are allowed in all areas of public accomodation but only because they have had all of this training and they are assisting in their owners disability.Minimum Standards for Assistance Dogs in Public
Public Appropriateness
- Dog is clean, well - groomed -EVERY time they go out in public
- Dog does not potty in public or in any establishment ever without being taken to a certain area and told to go on command.
Behavior
- Dog doesn't attemp to get attention from anyone in the public or their handler
- Dog doesn't disrupt the normal course of business
- Dog shows no interest in other people or animals that may be in a public area
- Dog doesn't show interest in any food on a table or on the floor anywhere
Training
- Dog should have had a minimum of 120hours in training over a period of 6months or more with a trainer and 30 of those hours should be outings to work with the dog in public places.
- Dog is specifically trained to perform 3 tasks to help with the disability
- Dog works calmly and quietly on a leash
- Dog is able to perform its tasks in public with the busiest of distractions
- Dog must be able to lie quietly beside the handler without blocking aisles, or doorways.
- Dog must be able to potty on command
- Dog stays within 24inches of its handler at ALL times unless a trained task requires the dog to go farther.
Taking your pet dog that is not a certified Service Dog into public places and claiming it is a service dog is a misdemeanor and can get you up to 6months in prison and up to a $1000 fine.
Please respect these hard working dogs that help their owners every day.
Please don't abuse the laws and make it even harder for them to have their dogs.
IAADP = International Association Assistance Dog Partners
Pet Partners
Assistance Dogs International
Therapy Dogs
Therapy Dogs get certified through an organization such as Pet Partners, Lend-A-Heart, or Therapy Dogs International. These dogs only have clearance to be present in a specific list of places. They are NOT allowed in all public places nor are they allowed in any and all hospitals, nursing homes etc. Only the ones approved and on the list of the organization they are connected with.
Find out more at:
Pet Partners
Lend-A-Heart
TDI Therapy Dogs International
Pet Dogs
Their are a large number of trails, parks, some stores and many restaurants with outdoor patios that allow dogs. Please make sure to call ahead and ask though! PLEASE only take your dogs out in public if they are well behaved. More and more places are banning dogs and not allowing them because irresponsible owners are demanding to take their dogs places or taking them without asking and their dogs dont have the manners to be in public. When your dog is well behaved ASK then take them with you where they are allowed and they can be the shinning example of what well trained dogs can be like. Some employers even allow well behaved dogs to go to work. I know Maxx and Stewie and a few others get to go to work with their owners because they are so well behaved.
PLEASE ASK before you take your dogs with you to any Public place.
No comments:
Post a Comment