Butler Delta Tau Delta, His Brothers, & His Dog

[exlurker]

Good story about a sophomore, his brothers in the Delt house, and accommodations around campus:

http://dawgnetnews.com/archive/061113/3884.html

[honeychile]

Congratulations to the DTD brothers for looking past Jared's impairment, and seeing him as the man he is. When I was in school, one of the fraternities had a blind brother, and made his dog an honorary "brother".

[PeppyGPhiB]

Great story that I think demonstrates that Greek life can be very inclusive to those who seek it.

I'm a bit surprised the chapter had to change its bylaws to allow the dog. Though the article mentions him as a pet, guide and assistance dogs are actually not considered pets...they are considered an extension of the person using them in order to fulfill functions of their everyday life. Service animals are allowed to go anywhere their partner goes; to disallow them is discrimination against disability according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Therefore, legally the dog could have accompanied him into the house even if the bylaws weren't changed.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I'm a bit surprised the chapter had to change its bylaws to allow the dog. Though the article mentions him as a pet, guide and assistance dogs are actually not considered pets...they are considered an extension of the person using them in order to fulfill functions of their everyday life. Service animals are allowed to go anywhere their partner goes; to disallow them is discrimination against disability according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Therefore, legally the dog could have accompanied him into the house even if the bylaws weren't changed.

I'm guessing that the bylaws actually said "animal" instead of "pet" and that the usage of the word pet was editorializing on the part of the story's author.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Right, I'm just saying even if the bylaws said "animal(s)" the young man still could have brought the dog in regardless of the rule change. But since bylaws were probably written long ago, the issue probably never arised.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Right, I'm just saying even if the bylaws said "animal(s)" the young man still could have brought the dog in regardless of the rule change. But since bylaws were probably written long ago, the issue probably never arised.

If the house is privately owned and not under a housing corp (as some Greek houses are) I don't think the ADA would mean squat. If I want to be a jerk and tell my blind friend to leave their dog on the porch before he comes in my house, there's nothing he can do about it.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Ahhh, that's true, I hadn't thought about the house possibly being privately-owned.

[KSUViolet06]

Good stuff. My best friend is blind and a Delta Zeta, and I think she's an amazing addition to her chapter.