Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Dogs and common facilities

[Doug Huston (huston]

Too bad indeed that people with companion and emotional support animals (that 
are not service animals) have led to increased skepticism about animals for 
people whose service animals provide an arguably more vital service and are 
more rigorously trained by definition. I certainly don’t wanna minimize actual 
issues of safety that Sharon points out that service animals provide. 

About five years ago the New Yorker published an article related to this topic. 
Undoubtedly some people will find this amusing, and others will find it 
offensive:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/20/pets-allowed?intcid=inline_amp&_gl=1*1aobs3x*_ga*YW1wLXZ3dC1oNXQyOU9fcFlDRlFSam9QelNqVkNtaEx0cF9lZlpla2xJT3JxLXpXUzRjbmhQOGJnVGgtMDJyUURkYlM.

Although I’m not absolutely positive, I think that allowing service animals in 
cohousing common houses doesn’t necessarily apply because they are not public 
places. I’m also sure this varies by state and zoning about whether they are 
public or not.
- Doug Huston Ashland Cohousing Community in Oregon


Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 3, 2019, at 10:16 AM, Sharon Villines via Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] 
cohousing.org> wrote:
> 
> I've learned from service dog owners that there are real differences between 
> service dogs and other dogs. Service dogs are constrained in their actions. 
> As long as they have on their service halter/vest they are “working”. They 
> stay at the feet of their owner and are not welcoming of attention from 
> others. One friend had a small dog that warned her when she was about to have 
> a seizure. The dog literally slept on her feet in public — under the table 
> when they were in a restaurant. There is no jumping around or chasing unless 
> their halter/vest is taken off. Then they are just dogs.
> 
> Service dogs also do more than guide — they keep their owners safe in many 
> ways. It’s about more than convenience or privilege or affection.
> 
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines, Historic Takoma Park
> In Washington DC, Where all roads lead to Casablanca
> 
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