(07-10-2017 09:24 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(07-10-2017 08:10 PM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(07-10-2017 07:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(07-10-2017 06:59 PM)ctipton Wrote:  I have been on several Delta flights where people will have dogs with them, and when asked, say they are service dogs to help them with their fear of flying. The dogs are normally kept in the passengers lap (smaller dogs of course) and I have never witnessed a problem with the animals.

A Delta Airlines flight had to return to the gate when a passenger was bitten in the face by a "Comfort Dog" on a flight... 28 stitches.

http://wgntv.com/2017/06/06/man-bitten-o...pport-dog/

http://www.complex.com/life/2017/06/alab...lta-flight

I also know of an American Airlines flight where a Flight Attendant was bitten by a "comfort dog" that was sitting on a passenger's lap (aisle seat) while bending over to serve the occupant of the inside seat.

A comfort dog? That doesn't sound like a properly trained service dog.

I can count the number of times I've seen a service dog on one hand. It was like they weren't even there, just helped their person. I've literally never seen one of these ESDs. Therapy dogs have their place as well, we considered having our dog trained as a therapy dog. However, they don't follow the owner where the owner wants, if we had gone that route her job would be to visit patients in the hospital. I've seen a therapy dog at a hospital before, a kid with an awful disease had that dog in a full bear hug, the dog couldn't have been more chill or more content.

These ESDs don't seem to have the same requirements of them as the other two types of dogs. I've never encountered one so I haven't had the chance to talk to the owner. But it seems ESDs do allow for pets in rental spaces that normally wouldnt, which is a positive, but I could see some people abusing the less strict training and guidelines. Regardless, never encountered one of these.

As to the article, the guy deserves to work if he's willing, however, maybe not in a position where he goes in people's homes.

That is my point. "Service Dogs" are a select and highly trained group of animals. "Comfort" and "Companion" Dogs are valuable but a completely different thing. They are not trained and/or may not have the disposition of Service Dogs.

I am not being critical of the veteran in this case, but just recognizing the difference in the animal.

Therapy dogs are real and they are trained and certified.

Two of the people I work with had their dogs go through therapy training and got them certified. They use them to visit people in the hospital who would otherwise have no visitors. The patients seem to love them.

If they are well behaved enough, trained enough, and clean enough to spend time with hospital patients, they are real enough in my book.