Life PETS versus "SERVICE ANIMALS" WTF??!!

**TinyEvel** · 06:12 PM

Okay, so I was in my favorite Mexican/Hawaiian taco place (Wahoo's) with my kids today, and a young woman walks in with a small dog on a leash, kinda looked like a cockapoo or other 15 Lb. dog.

Now, I own a dog and I believe they should be treated like a member of the family, but I draw the line at bringing them into eating establishments and offices where hundreds of other people have business to conduct.

Well, as this woman was filling her cup at the soda station, the manager comes up to her and says, "I'm sorry miss, we don't allow pets inside."

Then she replies rather indignantly, "He's not a pet, he's a service animal. See? Service animal, he's not a pet." As she pointed to the tiny red and white half-blanket over the dog's shoulders which had a small insignia on it which read "Therapy Dog."

My 7 and 8 year-old daughters asked what that meant. I explained it like this, "Well, you know how sometimes you need to take a stuffed animal with you in the car or on a trip to make yourself feel better about going somewhere away from home?"

(yeah)

"Well, this woman needs that dog."

I was only able to explain this because I had seen some news story about it but I imagine it's complete bullshit. I kinda wrote off that lady as working the system like a healthy person who's just lazy and collecting worker's comp.
I felt kinda guilty for questioning her validity. Am I wrong?

**Saulbadguy** · 03-15-2009, 06:06 PM

Should have given the dog some picante sauce.

Demonpenz · 03-15-2009, 06:10 PM

i had a doctor recommend a dog for my high anxiety.

**TinyEvel** · 03-15-2009, 06:10 PM

The funniest part was, a few minutes later, my 7 year-old had her foot on the seat with knee up by her shoulder (something she does often, and we're always correcting her)

I said, "put your knee down please."

She replied, "It's my therapy knee.'

I laughed out loud really hard for like 15 seconds.

**KcMizzou** · 03-15-2009, 06:12 PM

I saw one on The Dog Whisperer. Belonged to a woman who had panic attacks.

Weird.

ChiefRon · 03-15-2009, 06:12 PM

My wife is blind and we have a service dog.

Some mentally unstable folks may have a legitimate need for a therapy dog. Can't think of an obvious reason, but I don't question it.

You should see the treatment we get.

**KcMizzou** · 03-15-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

My wife is blind and we have a service dog.

Some mentally unstable folks may have a legitimate need for a therapy dog. Can't think of an obvious reason, but I don't question it.

You should see the treatment we get.

To me, that's wayyyy different.

But, whatever... if it helps, I guess.

**TinyEvel** · 03-15-2009, 06:14 PM

Maybe I was judgemental because this chick looked like a typical West L.A. hipster.

Demonpenz · 03-15-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I saw one on The Dog Whisperer. Belonged to a woman who had panic attacks.

Weird.

yeah that is what they said I should do, but instead I have a thermometer (spelling?) and if I have an attack I am supposed to concentrate on warming the thing up. It doesn't really work that well because I am worried about impending doom

MIAdragon · 03-15-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I saw one on The Dog Whisperer. Belonged to a woman who had panic attacks.

Weird.

Me too, that was such BS.

StcChief · 03-15-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

Maybe I was judgemental because this chick looked like a typical West L.A. hipster.

in Cali no surprise.

**DaFace** · 03-15-2009, 06:20 PM

I'll withhold judgment since I'm not a psychologist, but I'd lean toward the "that's BS" side. My fear would be that people go out and actively seek to have the designation so that they have an excuse to take their pets everywhere with them. If that's not the case, then I support whatever they need to do. If it is the case, then a bowl of antifreeze might have come in handy.

kcfanXIII · 03-15-2009, 06:30 PM

its not like you can just say "oh i'm going to get my dog certified." there is strict training, and they are tested. i feel if it makes a person feel better without drugs, then let them do it. no reason to say to a person, "no, you have to take xanex."

EyePod · 03-15-2009, 06:33 PM

My girlfriends in school for psychology, and she was telling me about a guy who had a pig that was specially trained to help him deal with his phobia of other people. The pig would make others keep their distance by grunting. I guess if it helps them, who the **** cares. I'd rather booze.

EyePod · 03-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

its not like you can just say "oh i'm going to get my dog certified." there is strict training, and they are tested. i feel if it makes a person feel better without drugs, then let them do it. no reason to say to a person, "no, you have to take xanex."

Yeah, that's a really good point. I'd still take my booze though.

View Poll Results: Is THERAPY DOG a bonafide service animal category?
YES! Some people need a constant companion by their side to function normally out in the world	11	25.58%
NO! It's just a made-up excuse to bring your dog everywhere	25	58.14%
NO! The only "therapy Dog" is a Nathan's half-pounder loaded with everything	5	11.63%
GANZ! (he was the bad guy in 48 hours. I prefer this to Gaz, since Gaz is active in memory only on CP)	2	4.65%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll

03-15-2009, 06:05 PM
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5357131	PETS versus "SERVICE ANIMALS" WTF??!! Okay, so I was in my favorite Mexican/Hawaiian taco place (Wahoo's) with my kids today, and a young woman walks in with a small dog on a leash, kinda looked like a cockapoo or other 15 Lb. dog. Now, I own a dog and I believe they should be treated like a member of the family, but I draw the line at bringing them into eating establishments and offices where hundreds of other people have business to conduct. Well, as this woman was filling her cup at the soda station, the manager comes up to her and says, "I'm sorry miss, we don't allow pets inside." Then she replies rather indignantly, "He's not a pet, he's a service animal. See? Service animal, he's not a pet." As she pointed to the tiny red and white half-blanket over the dog's shoulders which had a small insignia on it which read "Therapy Dog." My 7 and 8 year-old daughters asked what that meant. I explained it like this, "Well, you know how sometimes you need to take a stuffed animal with you in the car or on a trip to make yourself feel better about going somewhere away from home?" (yeah) "Well, this woman needs that dog." I was only able to explain this because I had seen some news story about it but I imagine it's complete bullshit. I kinda wrote off that lady as working the system like a healthy person who's just lazy and collecting worker's comp. I felt kinda guilty for questioning her validity. Am I wrong? Last edited by TinyEvel; 03-15-2009 at 06:12 PM..
Posts: 11,814

03-15-2009, 06:06 PM	#2
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2536966	Should have given the dog some picante sauce. __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
Posts: 46,968

03-15-2009, 06:10 PM	#3
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3082136	i had a doctor recommend a dog for my high anxiety. __________________
Posts: 54,279

03-15-2009, 06:10 PM	#4
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5357131	The funniest part was, a few minutes later, my 7 year-old had her foot on the seat with knee up by her shoulder (something she does often, and we're always correcting her) I said, "put your knee down please." She replied, "It's my therapy knee.' I laughed out loud really hard for like 15 seconds.
Posts: 11,814

03-15-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	I saw one on The Dog Whisperer. Belonged to a woman who had panic attacks. Weird.
Posts: 54,695

03-15-2009, 06:12 PM	#6
ChiefRon Starter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis, TN Casino cash: $10004900	My wife is blind and we have a service dog. Some mentally unstable folks may have a legitimate need for a therapy dog. Can't think of an obvious reason, but I don't question it. You should see the treatment we get.
Posts: 924

03-15-2009, 06:14 PM	#8
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5357131	Maybe I was judgemental because this chick looked like a typical West L.A. hipster.
Posts: 11,814

03-15-2009, 06:20 PM	#12
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1926899	I'll withhold judgment since I'm not a psychologist, but I'd lean toward the "that's BS" side. My fear would be that people go out and actively seek to have the designation so that they have an excuse to take their pets everywhere with them. If that's not the case, then I support whatever they need to do. If it is the case, then a bowl of antifreeze might have come in handy.
Posts: 51,834

03-15-2009, 06:30 PM	#13
kcfanXIII Ride on! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Galaxy far far away Casino cash: $10013172	its not like you can just say "oh i'm going to get my dog certified." there is strict training, and they are tested. i feel if it makes a person feel better without drugs, then let them do it. no reason to say to a person, "no, you have to take xanex." __________________ Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed, overcomes the fear of death.
Posts: 5,470

03-15-2009, 06:33 PM	#14
EyePod Forgetting 2013 season end. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Around Casino cash: $9995735	My girlfriends in school for psychology, and she was telling me about a guy who had a pig that was specially trained to help him deal with his phobia of other people. The pig would make others keep their distance by grunting. I guess if it helps them, who the **** cares. I'd rather booze. __________________ I did not believe in Mahomes until week 1. I've been woke ever since. I'm on board this freight train.
Posts: 5,800