Is it worth it to lie?

[cassiesmom]

I have read people on various forums admit for this reason or that to saying their dog was a Service Dog or a Service Dog in Training so that they could bring their dog into a business. Is this ever right?

SO do any of you truly think there is a legit reason to impersonate a Service Dog? I say no.
Nicole

The position from which I want to answer this question is from knowing a service dog-in-training from church. No, it is NOT right. It's not right because is harmful to the reputation of service dogs, service dogs-in-training and organizations that work with service dogs and their people. There is a reason the puppy wears a bright blue vest. It clearly identifies him as NOT a pet. It's important to the success of these programs that the privilege of working with a service dog not be abused by people who merely want to bring their pet into an establishment. In my mind it's the same category as people who are not disabled who park in the designated parking spaces. If you are not entitled to the privilege, don't take advantage of it.

(by the way - her newest "trainee" is really, really cute - I'll try to take a picture of him when she brings him to church again)

[moosmom]

No, lying is wrong. And lying about their animal being a serice animal is also wrong. They are only doing it for selfish reasons. Plain and simple.

[CountryWolf07]

100% wrong.

[Kalei]

I agree, it is wrong to lie about anything, but very wrong to lie about that situation because someone could get hurt if the dog wasnt that well-mannered, and you're right, it does make it so that next real Service Dog looks bad because the other dog was not well behaved.

Very wrong!

[mike001]

Very wrong to lie about a SD. And let's remember that a dog that is licking tears away, hugging, kissing, is not a SD but a comfort animal. Some people can't seem to tell the difference and order a cape and put it on their dog. Fortunately in Canada we are now taking steps to rid ourselves of fakers because of the complaints from businesses and people who see this happenning. Unless you and your dog have been assessed and trained by a facility, there is no acceptance for the word SD in a lot of Canadian cities now.

[NicoleLJ]

Unless you and your dog have been assessed and trained by a facility, there is no acceptance for the word SD in a lot of Canadian cities now.

This is totally false. Please post links to your proof of this. Service dogs that are trained by facilities, Service Dogs that are trained by trainers and Service Dogs that are trained by owners are fully accepted by all Canadian Provinces. All they need to be accepted is a Doctors note. Well as accepted as any SD can be in Canada. Only Guide Dogs are fully protected as we all know. God I am sooooo sick of correcting your false posts.
Nicole

[Lady's Human]

And the last thought through the mind of the bowl of petunias was " Oh no, not again"

[mike001]

This is totally false. Please post links to your proof of this. Service dogs that are trained by facilities, Service Dogs that are trained by trainers and Service Dogs that are trained by owners are fully accepted by all Canadian Provinces. All they need to be accepted is a Doctors note. Well as accepted as any SD can be in Canada. Only Guide Dogs are fully protected as we all know. God I am sooooo sick of correcting your false posts.
Nicole

Please refrain from posing as the correction officer for my posts. You would do well to examine your motives for doing so and do a bit of research on your own postings.
I have yet to see that you have been appointed the post police, so stop hiding your lies behind corrections of my posts.
I won't give you the info since this is what you need to protect yourself and I can see through it.
You have no clue what a service dog is except from studying the ada stuff until you were blue in the face.
Sorry, but not only Guide dogs are protected around here if we have proof of assessment and trained dogs to mitigate tasks.

[wolfsoul]

Very wrong to lie about a SD. And let's remember that a dog that is licking tears away, hugging, kissing, is not a SD but a comfort animal. Some people can't seem to tell the difference and order a cape and put it on their dog. Fortunately in Canada we are now taking steps to rid ourselves of fakers because of the complaints from businesses and people who see this happenning. Unless you and your dog have been assessed and trained by a facility, there is no acceptance for the word SD in a lot of Canadian cities now.

I greatly dislike the idea that there could be any prejiduce over owner-trained dogs. There are no training facilities in my area and I could never afford a facility-trained dog. Not only that but I have limited space. I will eventually keep a four dog limit and already one of them is a pet and one is to be retired after her next litter. Having a breeding program and a service dog is hard unless your service dog is part of your breeding program.

I think that by saying a service dog is not one that licks tears away and gives hugs and kisses and such is very misleading. There is no reason a service dog can not be relied on for comfort. My dog's presence alone is a comfort for me on a bad day. For those of us with mental conditions, sometimes all a service dog can provide is comfort. Luckily most of us have dogs skilled enough to tell us when there is a problem or to lead us home when things get bad, but not everyone is that lucky, and when you are sitting in a bathroom stall having the worst panic attack of your life you will want your biggest comfort to be there. Having been through it all, I can tell you that psychological disorders are not fun and as long as you are doing something to make yourself feel better, and it is not a harm to anyone else, than I don't see the problem with having a "comfort" dog.