Editor:
Re: Service Dogs Aren’t Pets Editorial
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and informative piece. Trained service dogs are invaluable to assist and enrich the lives of their human companions. A certified and trained service dog is usually “invisible” as they silently and diligently perform their duties. They are almost always “four on the floor” at their human’s feet or side. Properly trained and certified service dogs are granted access anywhere their humans are, e.g. grocery stores, restaurants, airplanes.
I would like to point out the difference between guide and service dogs and what a lot of people try to pass off as service dogs, in the form of emotional support animals (ESAs). ESAs are pets; they are not service dogs. There is no denying that ESAs perform an invaluable role in many peoples’ lives, however, they do not qualify for the same rights and freedoms as service dogs.
Certification for ESAs does not exist, and as such, they are not allowed in grocery stores, restaurants, etc..
I have witnessed folks in grocery stores with their ESAs in a grocery cart, or carried in their arms while shopping, small dogs barking and hopping up on other shoppers, even up on restaurant seats. Many people have even purchased “certificates” and dog vests online stating that their pets are ESAs. These do not have any validity. Twice, when I have attempted to engage different shoppers in a dialogue about their small dogs who they were trying to represent as ESAs, when I attempted to explain that ESAs are not valid service animals, both men responded to me angrily, with derogatory profanity.
I do not argue that many folks’ lives are truly made better by the emotional support, enrichment, and unconditional love their dog brings. However, emotional support animals are not service dogs and have no place in our grocery stores and restaurants. The province of British Columbia issues certificates for guide and service dogs. ESAs do not qualify for this certification.
People who try to pass off they ESAs as valid service animals are doing a tremendous disservice to those with true, valid, certified service dogs.
Michele Libling
ts’ukw’um (Wilson Creek)
