Training a service animal in sorority house?

BlueCarnation · #1 08-27-2009, 07:19 PM

Has anyone ever had to deal with a member wanting to keep a service animal in training in a sorority house? A sorority house is clearly not a place of public accommodation, and the member does not need the service animal for herself. I see no way that she possibly can claim that this is legal, but I'm wondering if anyone has encountered this before. Thanks!

Nanners52674 · #2 08-27-2009, 07:25 PM

I can't see why a service organization would place a puppy with someone living in a sorority house, or a college student in general for that matter. They tend to go to families who have the time for the attention, training and classes that you have to bring the puppy to.

Is she asking this before getting the dog?

BlueCarnation · #3 08-27-2009, 07:43 PM

The 5 week old puppy showed up today, a week after she moved in. She didn't tell anyone in advance, including her highly allergic roommate.

Nanners52674 · #4 08-27-2009, 08:08 PM

That's really weird. Do you know what program the puppy is attached to? What kind of dog it is? Does she have any documentation?

Not to mention 5 weeks is really young.

KSUViolet06 · #5 08-27-2009, 08:16 PM

Why would an organization place a service animal with a college student living in a sorority house? I always thought they were placed with families or indivduals who lived in places with yardspace for the puppy to run around/grow/etc.

I've never had to deal with this, but I can tell you that our Housing Corp was very strict with the "no animals" policy. Unless you needed the service animal yourself, it wasn't staying in our house and you'd need to find somewhere else for it to live.

VandalSquirrel · #6 08-27-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

Has anyone ever had to deal with a member wanting to keep a service animal in training in a sorority house? A sorority house is clearly not a place of public accommodation, and the member does not need the service animal for herself. I see no way that she possibly can claim that this is legal, but I'm wondering if anyone has encountered this before. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

The 5 week old puppy showed up today, a week after she moved in. She didn't tell anyone in advance, including her highly allergic roommate.

I'd ask for the documentation from the training organization and a contact number. I have a feeling it doesn't exist, but I could be wrong.

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/ This should provide you with information, and maybe links to the alleged organization in your area.

Honestly it sounds like a pet with a fabricated justification. I'd also check with your house corporation and your Inter/national HQ as it may be an insurance issue. If she was in need of a registered and trained animal, with a documented disability, that's different, but I am thinking that is not the case.

BlueCarnation · #7 08-27-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Why would an organization place a service animal with a college student living in a sorority house? I always thought they were placed with families or indivduals who lived in places with yardspace for the puppy to run around/grow/etc.

I've never had to deal with this, but I can tell you that our Housing Corp was very strict with the "no animals" policy. Unless you needed the service animal yourself, it wasn't staying in our house and you'd need to find somewhere else for it to live.

It's all kind of fishy, as I understand it's a 5 week old pit bull. I've worked quite a bit with disabled students and I've never heard of a pit bull as a service animal. While it's not impossible, I too wonder if the organization knows what kind of environment the dog is in. We did have someone who wanted to have a dog in training in the dorms, so I guess it is possible, but probably pretty rare.

We do have in our bylaws that service animals are allowed, but she doesn't need this animal herself. There are just so many potential problems with having a dog in a sorority house!

KSUViolet06 · #8 08-27-2009, 08:46 PM

I get the feeling that this might be a "I want this dog, so I'l just say it's a service dog so maybe they'll make an exception for me and let me keep it" kind of thing.

MaggieXi · #9 08-28-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I get the feeling that this might be a "I want this dog, so I'l just say it's a service dog so maybe they'll make an exception for me and let me keep it" kind of thing.

Hijack:

My mother in law does this. She has a yorkie she carries around with her with fraudulent papers stating that its a service dog just so she can take it anywhere she wants.

Oh and she does this with a disabled vehicle blackard too.

And she wonders why we have a strained relationship?!

End Hijack.

VandalSquirrel · #10 08-27-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

It's all kind of fishy, as I understand it's a 5 week old pit bull. I've worked quite a bit with disabled students and I've never heard of a pit bull as a service animal. While it's not impossible, I too wonder if the organization knows what kind of environment the dog is in. We did have someone who wanted to have a dog in training in the dorms, so I guess it is possible, but probably pretty rare.

We do have in our bylaws that service animals are allowed, but she doesn't need this animal herself. There are just so many potential problems with having a dog in a sorority house!

I'm again not saying it isn't possible, but that is not the usual breed for a service animal.

This site agrees that a breed known as "fighting" is not the best choice.

http://www.iaadp.org/breed.html

ETA: Can you imagine the RM or insurance nightmare if the dog bites someone (either e member or a visitor) or destroys personal or chapter property? It gave me chills just thinking about it.

Nanners52674 · #11 08-27-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

It's all kind of fishy, as I understand it's a 5 week old pit bull. I've worked quite a bit with disabled students and I've never heard of a pit bull as a service animal. While it's not impossible, I too wonder if the organization knows what kind of environment the dog is in. We did have someone who wanted to have a dog in training in the dorms, so I guess it is possible, but probably pretty rare.

We do have in our bylaws that service animals are allowed, but she doesn't need this animal herself. There are just so many potential problems with having a dog in a sorority house!

Not at all, never mind the fact that I can't for the life of me figure out what type of aide a pit bull would be trained for.

Reputable, real service agencies do NOT place training puppies in environments they have not researched and approved. Dogs such as guide dogs for the blind are incredibly expensive, specifically bread dogs. They don't just give them to people willy nilly to raise.

Seriously ask for her documentation, especially being a pit bull, that alone as a regular house pet can cause general insurance issues because of their temperament.

Titchou · #12 08-27-2009, 10:05 PM

I think you need clarification on the policy from your national organization...regional officer, whomever you would go to for collegiate policy issues. Delta Gamma does not allow pets of any kind. Any requests for service animals has to presented in the form of a waiver request and substantiated by proof of need. I recommend going up the ladder....

minDyG · #13 08-27-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titchou

Delta Gamma does not allow pets of any kind.

No fish?

I've heard of DGs training seeing eye dogs for Service for Sight, but if they're not allowed to live in the house, wouldn't that impede their training? I've heard that seeing eye dogs have to be kept on a really, really strict regimen (i.e. no special treats, restricted diet, etc.) and I would think that having visitors at random intervals might throw that off. Maybe not. Do you have any experience with this Titchou?

Titchou · #14 08-28-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minDyG

No fish?

I've heard of DGs training seeing eye dogs for Service for Sight, but if they're not allowed to live in the house, wouldn't that impede their training? I've heard that seeing eye dogs have to be kept on a really, really strict regimen (i.e. no special treats, restricted diet, etc.) and I would think that having visitors at random intervals might throw that off. Maybe not. Do you have any experience with this Titchou?

No fish either. Policy says "no pets." Even House Directors have to get a Pet Waiver. There is even a form for it.

And if DGs are training them, they aren't living in the DG house with the animal. And yes, I do have experience denying such requests...we have never approved one of these.

minDyG · #15 08-28-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titchou

No fish either. Policy says "no pets." Even House Directors have to get a Pet Waiver. There is even a form for it.

And if DGs are training them, they aren't living in the DG house with the animal. And yes, I do have experience denying such requests...we have never approved one of these.

Wow. That is eye-opening news for me regarding the no pets thing (can't exactly say why though!

)