July 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 27

legal paperwork for service dogs.
As service providers, the only
questions one may ask their patrons
visiting are: " Is that a service
dog? " and " What service
does it provide for you? " Employees
may not ask for any medical
paperwork or proof of a skill or
task. A service dog is not required
to have any type of vest nor identifying
marks to be considered a
working dog. The dog must be
leashed or tethered to the handler
at all times, unless it obstructs the
handler. Handlers are liable for
all damages if an accident occurs.
The only way a facility can ask
for a service dog to be removed is
if the animal is not housebroken,
or it is considered to be a direct
threat to the health and safety of
others. Allergies and fears of animals
are not valid reasons to ask
for a service dog to leave.
Open Conversations
Service dog organizations
provide new routes to community
relationships and programming.
Organizations that train service
dogs are constantly looking for
different types of " exposures " to
make sure their dogs are ready
for their future handlers. A senior
center serves as a great place to
host these trainings. For example,
bringing
a
dog
to
a
knitting
club not only benefits the dog's
training, but also can brighten
the day of your participants who
may not be capable of caring for
animals anymore.
Remember the Reason
The first step to ensuring an inclusive
environment for individuals
who require service animals is to
become familiar with the ADA
guidelines, as well as your state
True service dogs are not a distraction.
They are well-groomed and wellbehaved,
and the general public is,
oftentimes, unaware they are even there.
statutes. Understand your facility,
county and city codes of ordinances,
making sure that you are not
violating the ability for someone
to enjoy recreation just as everyone
else. Train your employees to be
comfortable answering questions
from other patrons about dogs at
a facility. True service dogs are
not a distraction. They are wellgroomed,
well-behaved and the
general public is, oftentimes, unaware
they are even there.
The point of a service dog is to
make life more equitable for the
handler and for them to be able to
enjoy everyday activities and services
just like everyone else. They
want to enjoy the incredible programing,
facilities and events that
you are providing as a park and recreation
professional!
New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc.,
is a 501C(3) in Orange City, Florida,
that provides task-trained service dogs to
members of the community in need.
Hannah Cooper is a Service Dog Trainer
with New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc.
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PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | JULY 2 0 2 1
| Parks & Recreation
27
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July 2021 - Parks & Recreation

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