Calhoun here.  T.J.’s been pretty busy this week, so he’s asked me to guest post.   As I was reading the Wall Street Journal yesterday, I saw the perfect item:  an article on how people abuse the concept of service animals to take their pets (Iguanas!) with them, and efforts by the disability community to push back.  

It seems there are these on-line registries that, for a chunk of change, sell service-animal credentials.  Pet owners use them to intimidate bus drivers, apartment owners and the like into allowing them to bring their pets wherever they want, regardless of whether there is a legitimate physical or psychological need to do so.

Now, advocates for the disable have convinced the Department of Justice to narrow the definition of service animal in order to avoid a backlash.  Starting next month, the Americans with Disabilities Act will only recognize dogs (why do you think they call us “man’s best friend”? ) as service animals. 

The Department of Transportation has also tried to crack down on passengers who want to pretend that their yapping little lap dogs are service animals; those passengers who have physical disabilities can bring their animal with them, but those with psychiatric issues must submit a letter from a mental health professional documenting the need.  That has upset some disability rights advocates.

From my point of view, its about time someone intervened to get rid of all those faux service animals.  I mean, who really believes that a cat or an iguana is good for anything.  Dogs rule!

By the way, the DOJ has a helpful guide for business owners here.