Guide dog helps man hike Appalachian Trail - WFSB [Archive]

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WhiteBlaze

08-08-2014, 19:40

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div><div class="lh"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGWsk1qC05uC4vZVTjClghYNo0t0Q&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=1F_lU7nzC_Hb8AH1_oH4DA&url=http://www.wfsb.com/story/26234754/blind-hiker-his-guide-dog-finish-appalachian-trail-together">Guide dog helps man hike Appalachian Trail</a> WFSB Before continuing the trail however, Brown decided to visit Bloomfield's Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, the place where Oscar was bred and trained, on Thursday. Fidelco experts helped bring Brown and Oscar together and it has been a perfect match ever ... <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dojxnMYGCuHb8eM&authuser=0&ned=us"></a></div></td></tr></table>

More... (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGWsk1qC05uC4vZVTjClghYNo0t0Q&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=1F_lU7nzC_Hb8AH1_oH4DA&url=http://www.wfsb.com/story/26234754/blind-hiker-his-guide-dog-finish-appalachian-trail-together)

WingedMonkey

08-09-2014, 10:10

I think that all of the folks that want to cheat to bring a dog on the AT should learn from this man.

This is what guide dogs on the AT are for.

HooKooDooKu

08-09-2014, 20:56

Cheat at bringing a dog on the AT???

Based on this thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?101620-Help!-Thru-hiking-with-dog-and-have-questions!&p=1897601&viewfull=1#post1897601), there's only three locations on the entire AT where Dogs are not allowed.

One is Baxter State Park (where rules regarding guide dogs would apply, yet some people claim is so steep in parts you might not want to bring a dog even if allowed).
The second one is Bear State Park, where according to Sarcasm the elf (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?26465-Sarcasm-the-elf), the dog restriction only applies to a small zoo area with a simple blue blaze around it.
That leaves Great Smoky Mountain Park where even guide dogs are not allowed because it is a part of the federal government not subject to ADA rules.

Doesn't leave much room for "cheating".

mtntopper

08-09-2014, 23:27

I was with a person and his guide dog in the smokies. We hiked right past a ranger and he never said a word about it.

Dogtra

08-10-2014, 09:56

That leaves Great Smoky Mountain Park where even guide dogs are not allowed because it is a part of the federal government not subject to ADA rules.

FALSE.

While national parks do not follow the ADA directly, they do fall under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which was updated to fall in line with the ADA. For those wishing to gain access to GSMNP with a service animal -- the park asks that people call ahead to let them know you're coming and to receive a permit. While this is not normally accepted by those with service animals, it is in this case.
It's understandable that the NPS would not actively advertise this, for fear that it may encourage those without disabilities to work the system, but those in the service dog community already know better.

For those wishing to learn more, click the link here:
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/

HooKooDooKu

08-10-2014, 14:27

Dogtra, thanks for the informative correction.

Damn Yankee

08-10-2014, 14:54

I'm glad this came up. I was wondering the same thing. My dog is now being trained as a Service dog and I was wondering what the rules were pertaining to this.

Mags

08-11-2014, 01:07

Lone Wolf

08-11-2014, 04:54

churches and their entities are exempt from ADA laws. The Place hostel in Damascus refuses all dogs

Dogtra

08-11-2014, 09:37

I think what Winged Monkey was alluding to (and please correct me if I am wrong) are the people who buy shady "Service Animals" patches online to circumvent the park rules vs the gentleman in the article who had a well trained service dog and a legitimate need for one.

For various reasons in our law suit happy culture, I suspect most businesses and government agencies tread very lightly when it comes to service animals.

Correct. Whether incidents of people faking it are increasing or the media is doing a great job of reporting on all occurrences really doesn't matter. Eventually one of two things is likely to happen...
Either those with disabilities and a legitimate service dog, whether from a program or owner-trained, will be able to acquire federal registration/licensing.
OR
The rights of the disabled will be... modified.

Since people only have to answer 2 questions and don't need to show any documentation, nor should the disabled have to in my opinion, it has been proven that we have lowlife members of society that don't realize or don't care about the damage they're doing to the service dog community.

The best way for an outside observer to determine if a dog is a service animal or a pet is to watch its demeanor and behavior. Service dogs achieve elite levels of training and as such tend to stand out from your common pet.