Cohousing-L Mailing List: Service Dogs

[Alicianat (Alicianat]

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.

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. 

Alicia Nation

<< I hope I'm not being politically incorrect. Another question I had about
 service dogs is whether they are as necessary in the commonhouse than they
 would be in a restaurant. My image of cohousing would mean that the
 community has an opportunity to provide the services that the animal would
 normally provide.
 
 I do think you are right that we should seriously consider air filters for
 the common house, but I still felt this question is worth asking.
 
 Jeanne Goodman
 Jamaica Plain Cohousing
 Bo >>


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