Re: Service Dogs -- Barb Chalfonte | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Fred H Olson (fholsoncohousing.org) | |
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 04:39:12 -0700 (MST) |
Barb Chalfonte DuraMaterBC [at] aol.com is the author of the message below. It was posted by Fred the Cohousing-L list manager <fholson [at] cohousing.org> because the message included HTML ; PLEASE do not post HTML, see http://csf.colorado.edu/cohousing/2001/msg01672.html -------------------- FORWARDED MESSAGE FOLLOWS -------------------- On March 27, 2002 Alicianat [at] aol.com wrote: >Banning service dogs, or in any way making them unwelcome by making it >even an issue for discussion, is in my perspective, very unaccepting and >inappropriate. So is suggesting that a disabled person depend on people >who are neither trained to support that individual nor having a >relationship of trust with the person needing assistance. I disagree wholeheartedly with this argument. I have anaphylactic-level allergies to both dogs and cats, and one might constitute this is as a "special-challenge" if not a disability. Why is a disability requiring a trained animal held in "higher regard" than a life-threatening allergy? Asking a question is hardly unaccepting, unwelcoming or inappropriate. The person is honestly seeking information. Indeed, I think it is an excellent question, one I too have concerns about, albeit from the perspective of the one potentially harmed rather than aided by a dog. In fact, all the arguments that were made in favor for the person with the aid-dog should be made for the allergic person is well. I hope my community will support me around these issues, as I don't want the common house, an extension of my home, to be off limits. Indeed, such issues pose a dilemma, as no one has more "rights" than any other person. Best, Barb Chalfonte Rocky Hill Cohousing (got land, working on site dev) Northampton Alicianat [at] aol.com continues: >The disabled person needs to determine what level of support vs. independence >they want. The are entitled to whatever level of independence, autonomy and >sense of freedom the service animal/dog provides them and offering to help >so we don't get our carpets dirty is a bad reason for doing so. People who >choose service animals as helpmates often do so because they do not want to >have to lean on someone else's arm or constantly depend on another human >being for meeting their needs. We need to keep that in consideration. We >cannot an should not assume that a disabled person has a preference for >depending on neighbors to "help". That may be a conscious choice which the >community, including the disabled person makes, but legislating dogs out so >the community can "help" to a disabled person who does not need or want that >kind of help is inappropriate. > >In the ideal world, the community would welcome participating in supporting >the specially challenged person. In truth, the very best way to do that may >be creating an environment where the disabled person with service animal >companion live independently with dignity and are fully and heartily welcomed >in all areas of the common property. Common areas are as much an extension >of home for the disabled as for everyone else, and making it unwelcoming to >service animals is as significant as saying your husband or child is >unwelcome and we really are saying "We don't want any disabled people with >service animals here because it might inconenience us." That means finding >ways to deal with animal dander or whatever other considerations as necessary. > >It is great to see a thoughtful discussion of issues relating to service >animals. I hope this will start an honest look attitudes and values within >the community regarding the disabled and promote better understanding. . >There are enough places in the world where disabled people meed >misunderstanding, discrimination and intolerance and they certainly do not >need it in their home community. I would hope that every co housing community >facing this consideration give some thought to understanding the the need of >the disabled persons includes access with service animals in all common >areas. _______________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list Cohousing-L [at] cohousing.org Unsubscribe and other info: http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/cohousing-l
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