As far as airlines allowing ESA's, they are authorized to ask one of three questions about what tasks or functions does the dog do for the person, or what has the animal been trained to do or how would the person describe what the dog does. They may also require a letter that contains specific information concerning the dog and the person's condition. From reading various blogs, ADA animal group, etc, the airlines don't ask for the letter all the time, or just ask if the dog is an ESA. Not being consistent may result in losing their authority to ask for the letter.
The US DOJ has a number of a publications directly relate to or impact museums. "Maintaining Accessibility in Museums", "Ticket Sales", and "Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices". These can be downloaded from www.ada.gov
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Raymond Meyer
Safety & Security Manager
Aerospace Museum of California
McClellan CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2015 02:30 PM
From: Meredith Peruzzi
Subject: "Comfort animals"
Hello Ford,
As the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) allows for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) where the ADA does not, I think you may be right. This is an area in which it is much easier to claim an ESA should be permitted, because it is legally sanctioned (likewise in the Fair Housing Act); museums and similar entities have the right to refuse an ESA but air carriers do not.
I have noticed that ESA is the usual claim for a pet coming along, rather than service animal, because the latter does not require special training in the slightest. (Of course, service dog training/certification is easily faked, and pets with fake service dog certifications may be just as dangerous in unfamiliar situations.)
The Americans with Disabilities Act is actually quite clear regarding ESAs - not covered, period - but it will take an incident such as you describe to change the ACAA to require more than a doctor's note prescribing the ESA, and actually require proof of training/certification.
-Meredith
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Meredith Peruzzi
Manager
Gallaudet University Museum
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2015 11:06 AM
From: Ford Bell
Subject: "Comfort animals"
I think there is going to be a huge problem with the proliferation of "comfort animals," and I suspect we will see it first in the airline industry. Real service dogs are carefully screened and trained, and they are amazing animals, essential to the lives of their owners. "Owner-proclaimed" service dogs are undoubtedly loving and faithful pets, but they are not trained to be in unusual and stressful situations, e.g., a crowded environment such as may be encountered in a public place or on an airplane. I am afraid there will be episodes of people getting bitten before airlines and state legislatures better define the rules around "comfort pets" or self-designated service animals.
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Ford Bell DVM
Lifetime Member
American Alliance of Museums
Washington DC
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