Please note that the BSL people do say at the top of the article that the article istelf is poorly researched. IMHO it's a slippery slope, hopefully "real" service dogs will not lose credibility. Perhaps some type of federal certification will be established. here's the link http://stopbsl.com/2010/07/12/miami-dade-fl-pit-bulls-skirt-law-by-being-used-as-service-dogs/

A "service dog" for ADHD... good god, I think that brings the list of disorders I have that people use service dogs for to...

four.

And I still don't misrepresent Danke as a service dog.

I was hoping to get her TDC this summer... but since raw fed dogs are being banned, I think I'll just save my money and spend it on a new tug set.

According to Federal law a service dog has to be trained to perform one...or is it three?...behaviors to mitigate your disability when commanded.
Business owners also have the right to dismiss from their premises the dog if it acts threateningly, causes a disruption, barks, growls, or acts unruly.
I really have to wonder if giving a hug mitigates ADHD????
Psychiatric service dogs are controversial...and are not afforded the rights that service dogs for physical conditions are.
Its a really gray area.
I think that they are of real benefit..for instance for the person with PTSD that thinks there is some one in the house...send the dog on a building search....or someone with schizophrenia the dog can be trained to indicate the presence of a REAL person..thus helping the handler remain grounded in reality.
However....the opportunity for abuse is huge.
There is so little knowledge out there as to the Federal standards...its really confusing for the average person...and there is much misinformation.
Any breed can do the job.....if it is trained to meet the standards.
I think that there needs to be testing based on training and performance.....but there isn't.
I personally wouldn't use a pitbull...just because of the public perception.
That is sad.....but its hard enough for me and Eddie to go everywhere we do...Having to argue that I do in fact have the right to take him where I want to. I can't imagine doing it with a breed that most of the public is frightened of.
Also lots of people are really afraid of dogs.....
We walked by a little girl in Walmart the other day..she screamed and hid from Eddie...she was shaking and terrified...poor kid.

What if I had a pit instead of my giant teddy bear?
just sayin'

On facebook the BSL people are arguing about it bigtime. Some are saying BSL violates Service dog owners rights. Not using a pitty because it is a pit-That's where I have to disagree;I agree with using a sound dog for proper service regardless of breed. A well trained service dog who happens to be a pit would be a FABULOUS example of the gentlness of the breed. I can't think of a better way to show people how "racist" BSL is. Can't find any links to Service pits but here's a link to Dakota an AMAZING pit who defines the great quality's of the breed the owner's website http://www.forpitssake.org/ Spotlighted on the following
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/hardworking_pit_bulls.html
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dogs-with-jobs (can't seem to get the video to work on this one. The episode with Dakota is supposed to be #57. I'm going to try and find out more on the website and my DVR info.)

Aaron is the TDC the same as a TDI? Someone just got certified in my dog club to give the TDI tests and I was planning on testing my 2 pit mixes (I'm trying to get all the certs I can for them). I didn't know they ask about the raw feeding. I don't understand how that would affect the dogs ability?

I am not in favor of any BSL..I am a bully fan and admire several well adjusted pits.
But our rights to have service dogs go places with us are already so challenged and its already so difficult, that I personally wouldn't use a pit or train one for service work.
Can they do it? Yes. Just look at Daddy and JR.
Also, these dogs go where dogs don't normally go, and there are lots and lots of people that are afraid of dogs, and to have a pit in a restaurant when I could have a golden.....I just don't think its worth making other people fearful.
Also...its more likely to result in public complaints and that will cause access problems for us later.
It's not something that I would personally do, and I question the need....I really question the way the people in the article were using the service dog law to get around the legislation.

Dog with Jobs looks like it was a Canadian series from 2005. I don't know if it's available in the US. I would have liked to see this series. I didn't get Natgeo until last year when I switched sattelite packages... Bummer

How did this thread change both topics and titles from " Service Dog Title Misuse again" to "Dogs with Jobs"?

There are a few threads like that!

 Quote: connie sutherland

How did this thread change both topics and titles from " Service Dog Title Misuse again" to "Dogs with Jobs"?

Trickykenosis

(My spousal unit had a counseling client once who thought that was the word for telekinesis...)