More info on guide ponies/horses: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_894660.html?menu=news.quirkies.hear twarmers -----Original Message----- From: Maradragon [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 7:02 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: barefoot visitors > As a point of information, disallowing just any old > mutt in the building is ok, but if the dog were a > service animal, you could be in trouble. > > Obviously, folks know there are service animals to > accommodate the blind. Did you also know they are > allowable for those with other kinds of disabilities > (largely mental health)? Then they become known as > what are called companion animals. > Not 6 hours ago I was in a very long company-sponsored diversity training that all new people have to take. One of the things covered was disability policy and working with guide animals. Guide animals were listed in my state as dogs, some capuchin monkeys, and one miniature horse. What they made clear aside from the usual need to accommodate guide animals, is that in my state, all guide animals are obvious. Seeing eye dogs must have harness and handle. All other official disability animals, including therapy dogs, wear an orange collar or jacket labeled "service dog," including dogs in training. If the animals does not have the above listed attributes, it is ***not an official or legal service animal.*** Therefore there should be no confusion or liability to an institution because someone shows up with their family pet and claims it's a therapy dog. I am sure this varies somewhat state to state. Your state office of Affirmative Action or Health Services will be able to fill you in on the exact situation where you live. Mara Kaminowitz ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).