Students at Columbia are seeking help from disability rights lawyers to convince university housing officials that multiple assistance animals are a medically required disability accommodation. Olivia Deloian of the Columbia Chronicle interviewed business major Lindsey Barrett who says her therapist prescribed dog companionship to treat symptoms of adjustment disorder. The problem is, Barrett already has an emotional support cat for her severe anxiety disorder, which means she needs new approval from Columbia to house the second animal. Deloian carefully describes her journalism process in contacting Columbia officials to request their side of the disagreement. With Barrett’s help, Deloian also provides a useful explanation of the distinction between emotional support animals and other service animals.
service animal
Certification of service animals is a contentious issue
The qualifications of service animals are becoming a contentious issue as more pet owners apply for certification. Some patients register their companions as “Emotional Support Animals” but critics suggest the category is being misused and distracts other service animals from their duties. This article by Robby Berman at BigThink.com the controversy in detail.
Podcast: Invisible Disability and Service Dogs
In the pilot episode of a new podcast from Cronkite News, a reporter examines the relationship between a woman with autism and her service dog. The service animal is trained to help reduce anxiety in a person. Read more
Supreme Court Rules in Service Dog Case
In the case of a now-13-year-old Michigan dog battling in court over her right to bring a service dog to school, the Supreme Court has ruled that her family should be allowed to forego a bureaucratic process in lower courts.Read more
D.C. Man Wins Fight for Service Dogs to Be Allowed Through Metro Emergency Gates
After a man and his service dog were refused entry through an emergency gate in a D.C. metro station, the agency has reversed its policy, and will now allow service dogs through. Read more
WBUR-FM (Boston)
Rescue Monkey Becomes Helping Hand After Man’s Accident
Six years ago, Ned Rogers was a 22-year-old college student in Arizona when he was in a catastrophic car accident that left him a quadriplegic and severely brain damaged.
The Capital (Annapolis, Md.)
People don’t see Kay Tunney’s disability. It’s nearly invisible. It’s Mulligan Sue, the little white dog she takes everywhere, that makes her noticeable.
KUSA-TV (Denver, Co.)
Pit bulls could once again live in cities with bans
Glenn Belcher and his dog Sky enjoy walking and playing in Cheesman Park, but Walker couldn’t get his dog there without a fight.
The Associated Press
Blockbuster settles disabilities case
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Blockbuster Inc. designed to ensure equal access at more than 3,000 Blockbuster retail stores for disabled customers who use service animals.
The Associated Press
Neil Patrick Harris goes to the dogs for PBS film
Neil Patrick Harris is the narrator of a PBS documentary exploring the bond between service dogs and those they help.
