definitions
INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITY
An individual with a disability is defined as the following at: http://www.ada-audio.org/Archives/Materials/FY2008/2008-08-12_ADA_Restoration_Act_Background_and_Brief_Summary.doc - This is being revised in 2008 per this document by the American Association of People with Disabilities presented to "The House" and "The Senate". Please take time to read this document.
SERVICE DOG
A service (dog) animal is defined as the following at: http://www.ada.gov/animal.htm - "Q: What is a service animal?
The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government."
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE DOGS
Mobility Assistance Service Dog Tasks
Two common service dog types used for assistance in mobility are BRACE/COUNTERBALANCE and MOBILITY (Wheelchair). Both types of dogs assist their human partners in moving about to insure a fulfilling life by utilizing the energy of the dog instead of using their partner's limited amount of energy. Reasons for using one of these types of dogs may be for the following: loss of function of a limb, muscles, tendons, or ligaments, etc. due to an illness or injury. Some other common illnesses related to loss of mobility could be: Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Cord Injury (Paraplegia or Quadriplegia), Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Amputation, Muscular Dystrophy, Cardiac Conditions, Cystic Fibrosis, Paralysis, Polio/Post Polio, Stroke, or any other Neuromuscular Disease or Orthopedic Mobility Issue. Tasks the dog performs are any that help with moving about or reaching something: pulling a wheelchair, bracing a person for walking, bracing a person for stability on steps and transfers, retrieving objects from the floor or across the room, getting the phone, moving buttons or switches, getting help in case of a fall, getting up from a fall, opening and closing doors, drawers, refrigerators, pulling and tugging objects or clothing for dressing, etc.
Hearing Assistance Dog Tasks
A hearing dog's job is to alert their person by touch to be aware of environmental sounds of importance.
This will help with safety and fulfillment of every-day life. Some sounds to which a hearing dog will alert are: knocks on doors or windows, smoke alarms, timers, baby crying, your name being called, the phone, sirens, horn honking, child crying or calling for mommy, alarm clocks,and many more. Automatic retrieval of dropped objects.
Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks
Examples of mental disabilities that sometimes qualify a person for a service dog include, but are not limited to: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, Anxiety Disorder, and Schizophrenia. Dogs are classified as service dogs if they can do 2 or more specific tasks.
Canine Specialty Assistance, Inc. specializes in service dogs for the autistic child and adult. Call or email for more details.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS
(NOT RECOGNIZED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS THROUGH THE "AMERICAN'S WITH DISABILITIES" ACT)
Even though emotional support dogs can tremendously help us, they are not allowed access in public by the "Americans With Disabilities Act". In order to be a legal assistance dog, your dog must be able to "perform tasks to mitigate a disabling condition" and the condition "must be severe enough to limit one or more major life activities." We will gladly train ESA dogs for home companions.
