AKC Rules Trump ADA Laws

[NewfieGirl01]

Another update and response from AKC
http://guidinggolden.wordpress.com/

I know she followed up to let them know to include information about how many service dogs use prong collars, harnesses, etc as their working equipment and thanked them for addressing the situation immediately.

 

[Cascadians]

That was a fast response! I am surprised and impressed.

Very glad more education going out to AKC personnel.

Re the no requirement for a service harness or vest or any identification: I am often so grateful this is the case. In the summer when it's hot and sunny and I'm taking Orka on the steaming bus, so relieved I don't have to dress him and increase his discomfort. Out water training, joring, backpacking etc -- don't have to carry an extra harness / vest that says service. There's only so much gear one can pile onto a bus along with an enormous dog and my coordination is not good.

If we are only out for an errand of course he wears his service vest. But that is rare. We combine outings with exercise and training.

Some disabled persons do not want to call attention to their condition and are too sensitive to having their service dog wear anything.

Whatever gear a person needs to get the job done should be allowed as long as it is clean and does not smell.

 

[Ivoryudx]

Its unfortunate that this happened, but I totally understand why it would happen because as an Obedience Competitor and Trainer myself, I would be questioning someone with a pinch collar on their dog at an AKC event as well. I know fellow competitors who train service dogs and it would not be unusual for them to have one of their dogs at an AKC event with them to train through the crowd. None would use a prong collar out of respect for fellow Competitors and distraction, so seeing someone with a prong collar on a dog, even wearing a 'service dog vest', I would be hard pressed not to ask questions or call the superintendent to ask.

Sadly in this day in age, there is always someone trying to get a leg up on the competition, and if they thought they could get a 'better' performance out of their dog, they just might try bringing a dog in with a SDV on and a pinch collar, only to remove it before going into the ring. So looking at it from the 'Competitors' view, I understand. I also recognize not all handicaps are obvious, so the road needs to go both ways. If walking into a dog show with a real service dog, if the handicap is not obvious, common sense should prevail as should cool heads and logic. Nobody should be expected to look the other way without explanation, when it is a competitive event. I'm glad the AKC stepped forward and is working on education, but I also would like to see the ADA step forward to apply some clear rules.

From AKC Website off their 'Event Committee Bulletin' Summer 2011

Training Collars
Special training devices that are used to control and train dogs, including but not limited to, collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, muzzles and head collars may not be used on dogs at AKC events, except as allowed in the AKC Rules, Regulations, and policies.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that special training collars may be an effective and useful management device, when properly used, for controlling dogs that might be extremely active, difficult to control on a neck collar, or dog aggressive. These collars are also recognized as possibly useful for gaining control at the start of basic obedience training, essential education that dogs deserve and need.

There is a point at which owners should have sufficient control of their dogs to manage them on regular neck collars, without the use of special training collars. This is the point at which dogs are acceptable on the grounds of AKC competitive events and will have the opportunity to participate in those events.

 

[911Newfs]

From AKC Website off their 'Event Committee Bulletin' Summer 2011

Training Collars

Special training devices that are used to control and train dogs, including but not limited to, collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, muzzles and head collars may not be used on dogs at AKC events, except as allowed in the AKC Rules, Regulations, and policies. If not already included in AKC rules, regs, and policies, I sure hope AKC makes an immediate amendment to include exceptions for SDs and ADA laws.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that special training collars may be an effective and useful management device, when properly used, for controlling dogs that might be extremely active, difficult to control on a neck collar, or dog aggressive. These collars are also recognized as possibly useful for gaining control at the start of basic obedience training, essential education that dogs deserve and need. Special training collars are utilized in other situations; not only for the uses as described above.

There is a point at which owners should have sufficient control of their dogs to manage them on regular neck collars, without the use of special training collars. This is the point at which dogs are acceptable on the grounds of AKC competitive events and will have the opportunity to participate in those events. This appears to be written specifically for exhibitors/dogs entered in competitions.

 

[Whybu1]

A person with a service dog is not and should not be required to "explain" why they have the service dog. It doesn't matter if the disability is obvious or not the individual has the rightto have his medical information private just as everyone else does. That is part of the Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act. In many cases asking what the dog does would infringe on that privacy. The individual who has identified the dog as a service dog is responsible for truthful statements. Yes some people abuse the system. The AKC would be well within its rights to bar any dog entering the show with a pinch collar from competing. What it cannot do is change the ADA law to fit their wants.

As an aside, there are only two species that are eligible to be service animals; dogs and mini horses. Bet it would be intersting to see a mini horse at the AKC event.

 

[NewfDad]

Here is the problem. The AKC has no right whatsoever to ask someone with a service dog to do anything differently. No right at all, as a public accommodation (which they are if the public is allowed to come in). The only question that is allowable is "Is that a service dog" past that any question, suggestion, or suggestion is out of bounds. What the AKC thinks about this is truly irrelevant from a legal perspective.

Having said this I think that the legislation around service animals needs a LOT of work. Right now what is and isn't a service animal, what conditions qualify, what training needs to be done, and what certifications exist are way too vague. I have seen quite a few folks claiming an animal is a service animal when it isn't appropriate. These inappropriate claims and uses make it more difficult for people with real needs to get the proper treatment and access with their service animals. The height of this is when an untrained pot belly pig that a woman claimed helped her with her flying went berserk on an airplane.

 

[Whybu1]

I agree that there should be some form of registration required for service dogs to cut down on misuse. Yesterday I watched an episode of Dogs 101 wher a lady had her "service dog" in its "do not pet me I am working" and "I am a service dog" vest. She then proceeded to visit the Mayo Clinic patients who petted and loved on the dog. It was a therapy dog NOT a service dog. Such misrepresentation makes it harder for everyone. A simple wallet card would be fine. No need to explain anything on the card just a certification that the animal is a service animal.

For what it is worth, the lady with the pig should have been told "no" as pigs are not an approved service animal species.

 

[Ivoryudx]

This appears to be written specifically for exhibitors/dogs entered in competitions.

THATS my point. THAT is why it would be easy to question seeing this type of collar at a competitive event. I totally recognize the ADA rules, but I also question the use of a pinch collar on a 'trained' dog. I use pinch collars for training, but once the dog is trained they are no longer needed.

 

[Whybu1]

Depending on what th dog is for I can see a pinch collar being very useful. A seizure alert dog would alert the owner of an oncoming seizure but other than that may have no special training. Seeing its owner in distress and having to be handled by a stranger might be easier with a prong collar.