To the Editor:

Okay, I'd like to think this will be the last time I write about service dog fraud but alas, I know better. The problem seems to be getting worse, not better despite states like Florida and Michigan putting laws on the books specific to service dog fraud. Why? I'd love to know the answer to that question. Is it "cool" to put a “Service Dog” vest on your dog and take them in places otherwise off limits? Is it enjoyable to be viewed as disabled when you're actually not? Are you so attached to your dog that the mere idea of a few hours of separation is unbearable? There are many questions like these but, the only acceptable answer is "I'm a total ass that has no regard for the disabled community who truly relies on their legitimate service dogs for their daily living."

Harsh? You bet. I'm extremely harsh when it comes to this topic because I'm so tired of seeing it. I'm tired of the excuses. I'm tired of the attempted justifications that only make it worse such as a woman attempted to do in Potsdam recently, but was caught on video by me.

A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability.

Got it? The "For a person with a disability" is really key. If you are not legitimately disabled, I don't care where your dog came from or if it can turn water into wine, it's not a service dog.

Furthermore, if you are in the process of training a service dog, it should be marked as such. "In Training" patches are readily available online. Also, if you are not disabled then you would be training for someone else and the dog is not going to be yours. This is not a "loophole" for yet more service dog fraud.

Why mark them "In Training?" A couple reasons. Go back and look at the definition of a service dog. Does a dog in training meet the definition? No. Also, again if you are an able bodied trainer, the dog absolutely should be marked as "In Training." But, please do not use this unless the dog is legitimately in training.

If your dog is a therapy dog, mark them as such and do notviolate public access rules. Therapy dogs have access where they are invited and are not granted access under the ADA.

Emotional support animals have no public access except in a very few states. In those states and when flying, as they do have access under the air carrier access act (with a medical prescription within 48 hours of flight), please mark them properly and not as service dogs.

Fraud and misuse of the ADA is a flagrant disrespect for those in the disabled community. It demonstrates a clear and conscious lack of regard for what we in the disabled community live with every day and the years of work that have gone in to achieve the access we have.

I would never want for anyone to "walk a mile in my shoes" or any other disabled persons but, if they did? I assure you they would never take this topic so lightly.

"We don't get to take off our disability with the vest." Truer words could not be spoken. If you're not disabled and your dog has not been properly trained as your service dog, do not place a service dog vest on it.

Jon Sabin

South Colton