ÿWPCG ¢Ú˜B&ž—Å5v^B …x•@ŽMÉ5è‡3XÞNªZ{’¥F)‹ƒåµ±HußÏÔ±qãÿ°2VV}ßCQ5q²¹øö+mžá‰ /úš›·‹÷M.›‹ÄÐÜR°/ =n·£âuÑðÚ#ö÷y㈵^U©ëYȤpÀz¤ oŠE.l 7æ7†æo¯! ¥¢½röÖ›ü„¼ã á¤]Q¦bÚXãEU¾éÑÁ¹ßÝ¥5äJ[þŠ8úEÇ,Û#ôqÔòÑê§ntc¶’;•-˜ VvOÜeÒñV¶jB e`SªGMɨ~E_UV‚É"ú~5Êi-™ö¸š‘j.nÊi0É æ'2ËçÒç*ˆkó;%"⯒'{]¯ïBp`s¬BBžI³êÛ8å‰G®<2R†5¶b®G=ªI¬ò§3IÕÍã½–ƒ.•y»—Á¤÷̤ÞÓ¨’† ³Ôî,­²¬ ôÐæ+ž’´öUU ïŽæë¡X,Gª„Sgf¨ÒGêCükŠü4õûF©™Ã;ÑPîÁÅv€4¿U4'Ë\c_Gº²›På/ Ð-æÔµÐÖ#?´lž”]žS§¬…Ç$íLÇ,þD#É4U:Ný %K 0:QN‹^ w™4±À m 0NÙÙN''N)N+N-N/1˜HP Photosmart 2600 seriesTŽ––––TŽ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ôk½9Z %97xê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔ Ñ ° ÑÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÌò òÔ€î²9îXXÔInternational€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partnersó óÐ œì Ðà  àÌò òòòÔ€è€Ïçîî²9ÔPARTNERS€FORUMóóó óÐ æ6 ÐÌò òÔ€ŠÔÛ ˆçè€ÏÔVolume€Fourteen,€Number€Four€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Second€Quarter€2008ó óÐ ð @ ÐÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ î > ÐÌ€à  àà ` àÐ î>  Ðò òòòÔ€ BA ˆŠÔÛÔThank€youÔ€Xú,X BAÔÐ î>  ÐóóÌto€Ô_ÔBANFIELDÔ_Ô€andÐ `  ÐÔ_ÔNUTRAMAXÔ_Ô€LABORATORIESÐ üL  Ѐ€€€òòóóó óÐ è8 Ðò òòòfor€Co„sponsoring€this€Issue!óóó óÐ Ô$ ÐÌÌFeatures€You€Shouldnððt€MissÐ ”ä Ðà  àÌ*€€€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€BenefitsÐ l¼ Ð*€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€GrantsÐ X¨ Ð*€€€Anti€Fraud€MeasuresÐ D” Ð*€€€ð ðNewsðð€on€New€RuleÐ 0€ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌEditor:€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ÔÐ ôD ÐJune€2008Ð à0 ÐAll€Rights€ReservedÐ Ì  ÐÌÌPhoto€Caption:€€€€€€€Ð #à ÐÌCAPTION:€€Service€Dog,€Caesar€proudly€assists€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€European€Vice€President,€Ð h%¸ ! ÐWendy€Ô_ÔMorrellÔ_Ô,€to€carry€the€Olympic€Torch€through€the€streets€of€London.€See€page€__€for€moreÐ T&¤!" ÐdetailsÐ @'"# ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌÌâ âÐ È,() Ðò òÔ€ BAXXú,ÔNews€To€Celebrateó óÔ€Xú,X BAÔÐ ° Ðâ âÌÑ€OYÑò òAir€Travel€Access€Issueó óÐ Ö& ÐÌby€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ÔÐ ®þ ÐÌÌ€€€€€€The€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners€(Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô),€a€consumer€advocacyÐ r  Ðorganization€representing€over€2000€disabled€persons€working€with€guide,€hearing€and€serviceÐ ^ ® Ðdogs,€launched€an€advocacy€campaign€several€years€ago€in€òòPartners€Forum,€óóbelieving€the€issueÐ J š  Ðwe€tackled€was€vital€to€preserving€our€access€rights€under€the€Air€Carrier€Access€Act.€(Ô_ÔACAAÔ_Ô)Ð 6†  Ѐ€€€€€€€For€me,€it€began€with€a€wake€up€call€from€an€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member€in€the€USA€who€wasÐ "r  Ðbewildered€€and€distraught€over€the€treatment€she€received€when€she€boarded€an€airplane€in€2004Ð ^  Ðwith€her€retriever€size€service€dog.€The€flight€attendant€insisted€she€had€to€purchase€a€second€seatÐ úJ  Ðfor€her€dog.€€When€she€protested€she€didnððt€have€the€money,€she€was€informed€sheððd€have€to€getÐ æ6  Ðoff€the€plane.€A€passenger€who€offered€to€share€his€foot€space€with€her€service€dog€was€told€thatÐ Ò" Ðthis€was€no€longer€an€acceptable€solution€under€the€new€rules.€€I€had€to€explain€to€our€memberÐ ¾ Ðthat€airline€personnel€did€not€technically€violate€her€access€rights,€for€unfortunately,€the€airlineÐ ªú Ðwas€exercising€its€options€under€the€Guidance€document€issued€in€May€2003€by€the€U.S.Ð –æ ÐDepartment€of€Transportation€(DOT).€€Ð ‚Ò Ѐ€€€€€In€November€2004,€as€part€of€the€process€for€amending€the€Air€Carrier€Access€Act,€the€DOTÐ n¾ Ðpublished€its€Notice€of€Proposed€Rule€Making€(Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô).€€It€specifically€invited€comments€onÐ Zª Ðwhether€there€should€be€any€modifications€to€Part€382,€Appendix€A,€which€incorporated€thatÐ F– Ð2003€Guidance€document.Ð 2‚ Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€submitted€a€letter€of€Public€Comment€pointing€out€certain€passages€in€the€GuidanceÐ n Ðcould€have€a€devastating€impact€on€many€individuals€whose€disability€requires€the€use€of€anÐ  Z Ðassistance€dog€large€enough€to€perform€tasks€like€guiding€blind€people,€wheelchair€pulling€andÐ öF Ðproviding€balance€support.€Ð â2 Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€took€particular€note€of€three€sections€in€the€Guidance€document€in€Appendix€A€ofÐ Î Ðthe€Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô.€Two€of€them€proclaim€it€would€be€an€undue€burden€for€the€airlines€to€ask€a€passengerÐ º  Ðto€share€foot€space€with€a€service€animal.€The€third,€in€reply€to€the€Question:€"What€if€the€serviceÐ ¦ ö Ðanimal€is€too€large€to€fit€under€the€seat€in€front€of€the€customer?",€declared€"òòIf€no€single€seat€inÐ ’!â Ðthe€cabin€will€accommodate€the€animal€and€passenger€without€causing€an€obstruction,€you€mayÐ ~"Î  Ðoffer€the€option€of€purchasing€a€second€seat,€traveling€on€a€later€flight€or€having€the€serviceÐ j#º! Ðanimal€travel€in€the€cargo€hold.ððóóÐ V$¦" Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€President,€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô,€Ph.D.,€stated,€"if€accepted€and€implemented,€these€rulesÐ B%’ # Ðwould€threaten€the€right€of€disabled€people€with€large€assistance€dogs€to€travel€by€air.€In€responseÐ .&~!$ Ðto€the€first€two€statements,€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€have€always€found€neighboring€passengers€willingÐ 'j"% Ðto€share€leg€room€with€our€guide€dogs,€or€have€someone€else€volunteer€to€shift€seats.€MostÐ (V#& Ðdistressing,€however,€is€the€third€item€in€which€the€DOT€authorizes€the€airlines€to€give€disabledÐ ò(B$' Ðpassengers€the€choice€of€three€unconscionable€options€if€their€assistance€dog€cannot€fit€in€theÐ Þ).%( Ðspace€in€front€of€a€single€seat.€Having€to€pay€for€an€extra€ticket€would€make€air€travelÐ Ê*&) Ðprohibitively€expensive€for€all€but€the€wealthiest€disabled€passenger€with€a€large€assistance€dog.Ð ¶+'* ÐThe€idea€that€we€would€be€willing€to€ship€our€canine€assistants€in€cargo€disregards€the€bondÐ ¢,ò'+ Ðbetween€us€and€undercuts€the€concept€that€our€dogs€provide€greater€independence,€mobility€andÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðsafety.€Finally,€the€last€option,€making€us€take€a€later€flight€demonstrates€a€view€toward€disabledÐ ° Ðpeople€indicating€we€do€not€have€to€get€to€places€on€time€to€meet€work€and€social€commitments."€Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€I€urged€our€readers€to€support€this€advocacy€initiative€by€submitting€public€comments€of€theirÐ ˆØ Ðown.€€We€began€to€network€with€others€about€our€efforts€to€have€the€language€in€Appendix€AÐ tÄ Ðreconsidered.€€Quite€a€few€CEOððs€of€guide,€hearing€and€service€dog€programs€belonging€toÐ `° ÐAssistance€Dogs€International€went€on€record€seeking€a€modification€of€the€language€to€preserveÐ L œ Ðthe€access€rights€of€their€graduates,€many€of€whom€are€partnered€with€large€retriever€sizeÐ 8 ˆ Ðassistance€dogs.€€By€the€time€the€Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô€public€comment€period€closed€in€March€2005,€the€DOTÐ $ t Ðhad€received€at€least€1100€letters€supporting€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€request€for€substitute€language.ò òÐ  ` Ðó ó€€€€€€In€opposition,€Atlantic€Southeast€Airlines,€a€subsidiary€of€Delta€Airlines,€submitted€a€publicÐ ü L  Ðcomment€stating€"ASA€supports€the€department's€position€that,€if€no€single€seat€in€the€cabin€willÐ è 8  Ðaccommodate€the€service€animal€and€passenger€without€causing€an€obstruction,€the€carrier€mayÐ Ô$  Ðoffer€the€option€of€purchasing€a€second€seat,€traveling€on€a€later€flight€or€having€the€serviceÐ À  Ðanimal€travel€in€the€cargo€hold.€€Bulkhead€space€on€regional€aircraft€is€limited€and€providingÐ ¬ü  Ðadditional€seating€at€no€charge€would€result€in€a€significant€revenue€loss."€Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€The€other€U.S.€airlines€did€not€choose€to€reveal€their€position€on€this€issue€in€publicÐ „Ô  Ðcomments€before€the€closing€date€of€the€public€comment€period.€€€Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€Following€the€public€comment€period,€a€large€number€of€assistance€dog€partners€respondedÐ \¬ Ðto€our€second€Call€to€Action€and€contacted€their€federal€elected€representatives€for€support.€Ð H˜ ÐGuide€Dog€Users,€Inc.€and€the€National€Association€of€Guide€Dog€Users€passed€resolutionsÐ 4„ Ðcondemning€the€Guidance€language€at€their€2005€conventions.Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€In€January€2006,€Mary€Harris,€a€producer€for€Channel€4,€Ô_ÔKNBCÔ_Ô€in€Los€Angeles€heard€aboutÐ  \ Ðthe€issue€and€came€to€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€conference€in€San€Diego€where€she€interviewed€severalÐ øH Ðassistance€dog€partners.€The€story,€aired€on€February€22,€was€also€shown€by€a€number€of€NBCÐ ä4 Ðaffiliates€across€the€country.€The€public€outcry€generated€by€this€story,€in€addition€to€our€previousÐ Ð  Ðadvocacy€efforts,€resulted€in€a€response€from€the€DOT.€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€In€a€widely€disseminated€message€from€Robert€Ô_ÔAshbyÔ_Ô,€the€Deputy€Assistant€General€CounselÐ ¨ø Ðfor€Regulation€and€Enforcement€at€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation,€in€March€2006,€weÐ ”ä Ðlearned€the€DOT€would€address€the€concerns€that€had€been€raised€by€our€community€by€rewritingÐ €Ð Ðthe€language€to€clarify€what€had€been€intended.€€Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€It€took€over€two€years€for€the€Final€Rule€to€be€written€and€published€in€the€Federal€Register.€Ð X ¨ ÐIn€May€2008,€we€received€our€first€look€at€the€outcome€of€this€tremendous€advocacy€effort.€€It€isÐ D!” Ðgratifying€to€be€able€to€report€that€there€are€substantial€changes€to€celebrate.€The€new€GuidanceÐ 0"€  Ðgoes€to€great€lengths€to€ensure€the€airlines€will€understand€the€DOT€wants€them€to€continue€toÐ #l! Ðaccommodate€large€assistance€dogs€in€the€plane€cabin.€€In€more€than€one€place,€it€asks€the€airlineÐ $X" Ðto€find€a€passenger€who€is€willing€to€share€foot€space,€explaining€this€is€a€customary€and€normalÐ ô$D # Ðpractice.€€Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€As€we€have€stated€in€the€past,€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€has€no€objection€to€the€safety€regulation€that€a€serviceÐ Ì&"% Ðanimal€may€not€be€allowed€to€block€a€main€aisle€or€exit€row.€€€Ð ¸'#& Ѐ€€€€€€€€The€Preamble€to€the€New€Rule€quotes€from€the€new€Guidance€document:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÔ‡ŠÔÛ ˆXXú,Ô€€€€€€€€òòThe€only€situation€in€which€the€rule€contemplates€that€a€service€animal€would€not€beÐ )à$( Ðpermitted€to€accompany€its€user€at€his€or€her€seat€is€where€the€animal€blocks€a€space€that,Ð *à%) Ðper€FAA€or€applicable€foreign€government€safety€regulations,€must€remain€unobstructedÐ +à&* Ð(e.g.,€an€aisle,€access€to€an€emergency€exit)€AND€the€passenger€and€animal€cannot€beÐ ,à'+ Ðmoved€to€another€location€where€such€a€blockage€does€not€occur.€€In€such€a€situation,€theÐ -à(, Ðcarrier€should€first€talk€with€other€passengers€to€find€a€seat€location€where€the€serviceÐ ° Ðanimal€and€its€user€can€be€agreeably€accommodated€(e.g.,€by€finding€a€passenger€who€isÐ ° Ðwilling€to€share€foot€space€with€the€animal€).€€The€fact€that€a€service€animal€may€need€toÐ ° Ðuse€a€reasonable€portion€of€an€adjacent€seatððs€foot€spaceð!ðthat€does€not€deny€anotherÐ ° Ðpassenger€effective€use€of€the€space€for€his€or€her€feetð"ð€is€not,€however,€an€adequateÐ ° Ðreason€for€the€carrier€to€refuse€to€permit€the€animal€to€accompany€its€user€at€his€or€herÐ °  Ðseat.€€Only€if€no€other€alternative€is€available€should€the€carrier€discuss€less€desirableÐ °  Ðoptions€concerning€the€transportation€of€the€service€animal€with€the€passenger,€such€asÐ °  Ðtraveling€on€a€later€flight€with€more€room€or€carrying€the€animal€in€the€cargoÐ °  Ðcompartment.€€As€indicated€above,€airlines€may€not€charge€passengers€with€disabilitiesÐ °  Ðfor€services€required€by€Part€382,€including€transporting€their€oversize€service€animals€inÐ °  Ðthe€cargo€compartment.óóÐ °  Ѐ€€€€In€the€Preamble,€the€DOT€goes€on€to€say:€ð ðIn€modifying€this€paragraph€in€theÐ °  Ðguidance,€we€deleted€the€phrase€concerning€the€potential€purchase€of€a€second€seat,€sinceÐ °  Ðthere€are€probably€no€circumstances€under€which€this€would€happen.€If€a€flight€is€totallyÐ ° Ðfilled,€there€would€not€be€any€seat€available€to€buy.€If€the€flight€had€even€one€middle€seatÐ ° Ðunoccupied,€someone€with€a€service€animal€could€be€seated€next€to€the€vacant€seat,€and€itÐ ° Ðis€likely€that€even€a€large€animal€could€use€some€of€the€floor€space€of€the€vacant€seat,Ð ° Ðmaking€any€further€purchase€unnecessary.€Of€course,€service€animals€generally€sit€on€theÐ ° Ðfloor,€so€it€is€unlikely€that€a€service€animal€would€ever€actually€occupy€a€separate€seat.€Ð ° ÐÔ#†Xú,X ˆŠÔÛO+#Ô€€€€€€€The€Guidance€affirms€that€providing€a€seat€in€a€class€of€service€other€than€the€one€theÐ ° Ðpassenger€has€purchased€is€not€required,€€However,€the€DOT€clarifies:òò€While€a€carrier€is€notÐ œì Ðrequired€to€do€so,€there€could€be€situations€in€which€the€carrier€could€voluntarily€reseat€aÐ ˆØ Ðpassenger€in€a€different€seating€class.€€For€example,€suppose€that€the€economy€class€isÐ tÄ Ðcompletely€full€and€no€alternate€seat€location€in€that€cabin€can€be€found€for€a€service€animal€thatÐ `° Ðcannot€be€seated€at€the€passengerððs€original€seat€location.€€If€the€business€or€first€class€cabin€hasÐ Lœ Ðvacant€space,€the€carrier€could€choose€to€move€the€passenger€and€animal€into€the€vacant€spaceÐ 8ˆ Ðrather€than€make€the€passenger€and€animal€take€a€later€flight.óó€Ð $t Ѐ€€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€will€be€sending€a€letter€to€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation€to€thank€them€forÐ  ` Ðlistening€to€our€communityððs€concerns.€€These€clarifications€in€the€new€Guidance€on€how€toÐ ü L Ðaccommodate€a€passenger€with€a€large€assistance€dog€reflect€the€customary€ways€airlines€haveÐ è!8 Ðbeen€accommodating€us€for€more€than€fifty€years.€€We€did€not€want€that€kind€of€reasonableÐ Ô"$ Ðaccommodation€to€become€a€thing€of€the€past.Ð À#  Ѐ€€€€€€I€suspect€we€would€have€seen€some€airlines€begin€exercising€the€option€of€selling€us€a€vacantÐ ¬$ü! Ðseat€in€these€harsh€economic€times,€just€as€they€are€now€charging€passengers€for€their€luggage,€ifÐ ˜%è " Ðwe€had€not€come€together€as€a€community€in€2005€to€appeal€to€the€DOT€to€take€a€second€look€atÐ „&Ô!# Ðthose€policy€statements€in€the€Guidance€document€in€the€Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô.€€By€purging€that€language,€theÐ p'À"$ ÐDOT€has€€ensured€this€will€not€become€a€major€problem€for€travelers€with€assistance€dogs€in€theÐ \(¬#% Ðfuture.€Ð H)˜$& Ѐ€€€€€€My€personal€thanks€to€all€our€readers€and€allies€who€wrote€a€letter€to€the€DOT€during€theÐ 4*„%' Ðpublic€comment€period.€€I€also€salute€the€subsequent€efforts€to€preserve€access€rights€for€those€ofÐ  +p&( Ðus€who€work€with€assistance€dogs€too€large€to€fit€only€into€the€space€in€front€of€a€single€seat.€OneÐ  ,\') Ðletter€from€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€alone€would€not€have€garnered€much€attention.€This€was€an€issue€that€neededÐ ø,H(* Ðmany€voices.€€Ð ä-4)+ Ѐà  àÐ ° ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔMore€ð ðNewsðð€from€the€New€RuleÔ#†Xú,X BAo@#ÔÐ `° ÐÌó ó€€€€€By€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ÔÐ † Ö ÐÌ€€€€€In€May€2008,€the€long€awaited€Final€Rule€amending€the€Air€Carriers€Access€Act€wasÐ ^ ® Ðpublished€by€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation€(DOT).€€In€the€Preamble€which€runs€overÐ J š  Ð150€pages,€the€DOT€responds€to€comments€and€details€the€changes€contained€in€its€serviceÐ 6†  Ðanimal€Guidance€document€and€the€New€Rule€itself.€ò òó óÐ "r  Ѐ€€€€Two€of€the€changes€will€be€discussed€in€separate€articles.€€The€first€article€will€address€theÐ ^  Ðissue€of€seating€large€assistance€dogs€in€the€plane€cabin.€€The€second€will€discuss€the€anti€fraudÐ úJ  Ðmeasures€impacting€travel€with€a€task€trained€service€dog€for€a€psychiatric€disability.€€In€thisÐ æ6  Ðarticle,€I€shall€briefly€highlight€some€other€newsworthy€changes.Ð Ò" Ѐ€€€€€The€New€Rule€will€require€foreign€air€carriers€to€abide€by€the€Ô_ÔACAAÔ_Ô€regulations€inÐ ¾ Ðaccommodating€disabled€passengers€on€all€flights€that€begin€or€end€in€the€USA,€as€well€as€inÐ ªú Ðsome€Ô_ÔcodesharingÔ_Ô€situations.€€While€foreign€air€carriers€do€not€have€to€carry€service€animalsÐ –æ Ðother€than€dogs,€they€do€have€to€modify€their€policies€and€transport€passengers€with€dogs€whoÐ ‚Ò Ðqualify€as€service€animals€under€the€Ô_ÔACAAÔ_Ô€definition.€€The€Preamble€discusses€the€fact€someÐ n¾ Ðforeign€carriers€have€a€policy€of€only€carrying€assistance€dogs€in€the€plane€cabin€which€have€beenÐ Zª Ðcertified€by€certain€organizations.€Others€refuse€to€carry€any€service€animals€or€may€restrict€theÐ F– Ðnumber€or€where€they€may€be€seated.€€Under€the€New€Rule,€those€airlines€must€comply€with€theÐ 2‚ ÐDOTððs€requirements€for€U.S.€carriers€on€accommodating€passengers€with€dogs€that€function€as€aÐ n Ðservice€animal,€including€the€type€labeled€emotional€support€dogs.€€There€will€be€few€if€anyÐ  Z Ðexceptions,€though€there€is€an€appeals€process€if€there€is€an€actual€law€in€the€country€where€theÐ öF Ðairline€is€based,€rather€than€a€policy,€which€is€in€conflict€with€the€U.S.€€law,€the€Air€CarrierÐ â2 ÐAccess€Act.Ð Î Ѐ€€€€€€Ô‡ŠÔÛ ˆXXú,ÔThe€New€Rule€states€that€for€flight€segments€scheduled€to€take€eight€hours€or€more,Ð º  Ðthe€carrier€may€require€advance€notice€and€may€ask€for€documentation€that€the€serviceÐ º  Ðanimal€will€not€need€to€relieve€itself€or€can€do€so€in€a€way€that€will€not€create€a€health€orÐ º!  Ðsanitation€issue€on€the€flight.€Ô#†Xú,X ˆŠÔÛnJ#Ôò òÐ º"   Ðó ó€€€€€€€Perhaps€the€most€exciting€news€for€assistance€dog€teams€traveling€in€the€USA€concernsÐ º# ! Ðservice€animal€relief€areas.€€I€contacted€the€DOT€to€find€out€if€my€interpretation€of€that€sectionÐ ¦$ö" Ðwas€too€optimistic.€I€include€their€reply€to€ensure€accurate€reporting:€Ð ’%â # ÐÌHello€Joan,Ð j'º"% ЀÌ....the€following€statements€accurately€reflect€the€intent€of€the€provisions:Ð B)’$' Ѐ̀(1)€€€€€U.S.€and€foreign€air€carriers,€in€cooperation€with€airport€operators€and€in€consultation€withÐ +j&) Ðlocal€service€animal€training€organizations,€must€provide€(establish)€animal€relief€areas€forÐ ,V'* Ðservice€animals€at€terminal€facilities€the€carrier€owns,€leases€or€controls€at€a€U.S.€airport€by€MayÐ ò,B(+ Ð13,€2009;€andÐ Þ-.), Ї(2)€€€€€U.S.€and€foreign€air€carriers€must,€on€request,€provide€for€escorting€a€passenger€with€aÐ ° Ðservice€animal€to€an€animal€relief€area€at€terminal€facilities€the€carrier€owns,€leases€or€controls€atÐ œì Ða€U.S.€airport€by€May€13,€2009.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌThese€provisions€are€meant€to€apply€at€existing€airport€facilities,€not€just€new€airports€or€newÐ `° Ðterminals€as€you€suggest€in€option€3€below.€€If€you€or€your€members€have€further€questions,Ð L œ Ðplease€let€us€know€and€we'll€get€back€to€you.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌBest€regards,Ð  ` ÐKathleen€Blank€Ô_ÔRietherÔ_ԀРü L  ÐU.S.€Department€of€Transportation€Ð è 8  ÐÔ_ÔOSTÔ_Ô,€Office€of€the€General€Counsel€Ð Ô$  ÐAviation€Enforcement€and€Proceedings€Ð À  ЀÌÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔAnti€Fraud€Measures€in€Final€RuleÔ#†Xú,X BAS#ÔÐ \¬ ÐÌó óby€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_Ôò òó óÔ‡ŠÔÛ ˆXXú,ÔÐ ‚Ò ÐÌò òÔ#†Xú,X ˆŠÔÛÂS#Ôó óÔ‡ŠÔÛ ˆXXú,ÔÌÔ#†Xú,X ˆŠÔÛ T#ÔÔ‡ BAXXú,Ô€€€€€€€Ô#†Xú,X BAcT#ÔHere€is€what€the€new€Guidance€document€contained€in€the€New€Rule€has€to€say€about€taskÐ n¾ Ðtrained€service€dogs€for€individuals€with€a€psychiatric€disability.€€Such€dogs€are€frequentlyÐ ¨ø Ðlabeled€a€ð ðpsychiatric€service€dog,ðð€(€psd€)€€by€their€disabled€handlers€and€the€media.Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€òòThere€is€a€separate€category€of€service€animals€generally€known€as€ð ðpsychiatric€serviceÐ €Ð Ðanimals.ðð€€€These€animals€may€be€trained€by€their€owners,€sometimes€with€the€assistance€of€aÐ l¼ Ðprofessional€dog€trainer,€to€perform€tasks€such€as€fetching€medications,€reminding€the€user€toÐ X¨ Ðtake€medications,€helping€people€with€balance€problems€caused€by€medications€or€an€underlyingÐ D” Ðcondition,€bringing€a€phone€to€the€user€in€an€emergency€or€activating€a€specially€equippedÐ 0 € Ðemergency€phone,€or€acting€as€a€buffer€against€other€people€crowding€too€close.)€€As€withÐ !l Ðemotional€support€animals,€it€is€possible€for€this€category€of€animals€to€be€a€source€of€abuse€byÐ "X Ðpersons€attempting€to€circumvent€carrier€rules€concerning€transportation€of€pets.€€ConsequentlyÐ ô"D  Ðit€is€appropriate€for€airlines€to€apply€the€same€advance€notice€and€documentation€requirementsÐ à#0! Ðto€psychiatric€service€animals€as€they€do€to€emotional€support€animals.óó€Ð Ì$ " Ѐ€€€€The€DOT,€when€queried€by€me,€states€this€is€not€really€a€change€but€just€a€clarification€of€theirÐ ¸%!# Ðcurrent€policy.€€The€DOT€said€it€has€never€made€a€distinction€between€emotional€support€andÐ ¤&ô!$ Ðpsychiatric€service€animals,€but€has€always€permitted€€carriers€to€require€medical€documentationÐ 'à"% Ðfrom€their€handlers€€under€the€May€2003€Guidance.Ð |(Ì#& Ѐ€€€€In€order€to€permit€the€airlines€to€have€time€to€assess€the€authenticity€of€the€passenger'sÐ h)¸$' Ðdocumentation,€the€New€Rule€will€permit€carriers€to€require€48€hours'€advance€notice€of€aÐ T*¤%( Ðpassenger's€wish€to€travel€with€an€emotional€support€animalÔ‡ BAXXú,Ô€Ô#†Xú,X BA,]#Ôor€psychiatric€service€animal.€€€€€€€€€Ð @+&) ÐAnother€anti€fraud€measure€is€to€specify€the€documentation€prepared€by€a€licensed€mental€healthÐ z,Ê'* Ðprofessional€must€contain€information€about€their€license€and€other€details€once€the€New€RuleÐ f-¶(+ Ðtakes€effect€in€May€2009.€€Until€then,€the€kind€of€letter€prescribed€by€the€2003€Guidance€willÐ ° Ðsuffice.€ò òó óÐ œì Ѐ€€€€€The€Preamble€to€the€New€Rule€clarifies€the€DOT€is€leaving€the€door€open€to€carriersÐ ˆØ Ðimposing€documentation€requirements€on€other€categories€of€service€animals,€if€members€of€theÐ tÄ Ðpublic€persist€in€abusing€the€Air€Carrier€Access€Act€(Ô_ÔACAAÔ_Ô).€€It€states:€€Ô‡ŠÔÛ ˆXXú,ÔòòShould€the€DepartmentÐ `° Ðencounter€a€pattern€of€abuse€concerning€service€animals€in€other€categories,€we€canÐ ` ° Ðconsider€additional€safeguards€with€respect€to€those€categories€as€well.óóÔ#†Xú,X ˆŠÔÛr`#ÔÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÐ ` ° ÐÌÔ#†Xú,X BA”a#Ôà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÔ_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€Laboratories,€USA,€Helps€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôó óÔ#†Xú,X BAb#ÔÐ r  ÐÌAn€Introduction€to€Products€from€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€Laboratories,€Inc.Ð ˜è  ÐÔ_ÔCosequinÔ_Ôðð,€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ôðð,€Ô_ÔDenosylÔ_Ôðð,€and€Ô_ÔWelactinÔ_Ôðð!Ð „Ô  ÐÌ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€Laboratories,€Inc.€is€happy€to€continue€its€support€of€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€as€a€Veterinary€CareÐ \¬ ÐPartnership€Sponsor€and€by€providing€many€of€its€products€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€for€their€activeÐ H˜ Ðadult€assistance€dog€at€no€charge€through€their€veterinarian.Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ôðð,€the€#1€veterinarian€recommended€joint€health€supplement€brand,€has€beenÐ  p Ðavailable€to€members€for€several€years,€but€recently€our€next€generation€joint€health€productÐ  \ ÐÔ_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ôðð€also€became€available.€First,€for€those€members€not€yet€familiar€with€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô,Ð øH ÐÔ_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€supports€joint€cartilage€production€and€helps€slow€the€breakdown€of€cartilage.€It€is€theÐ ä4 Ðonly€Ô_ÔglucosamineÔ_Ô/Ô_ÔchondroitinÔ_Ô€sulfate€brand€that€has€been€shown€effective,€safe,€and€absorbableÐ Ð  Ðin€published,€controlled,€U.S.€veterinary€studies.€€€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€And€now€we're€excited€to€introduce€our€newest€joint€health€product€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ô!€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_ÔÐ ¨ø Ðcombines€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô's€Ô_ÔglucosamineÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔchondroitinÔ_Ô€sulfate€with€Ô_ÔASUÔ_Ô,€which€stands€forÐ ”ä Ðavocado/soybean€Ô_ÔunsaponifiablesÔ_Ô.€This€is€an€ingredient€which€comes€from€the€oil€of€avocadosÐ €Ð Ðand€soybeans€and€which€has€been€shown€to€help€joint€health.€Cell€studies€have€shown€thatÐ l¼ ÐÔ_ÔglucosamineÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔchondroitinÔ_Ô€sulfate€with€Ô_ÔASUÔ_Ô€works€better€than€Ô_ÔglucosamineÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔchondroitinÔ_ÔÐ X¨ Ðsulfate€alone.Ð D ” Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ô€or€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€is€often€administered€to€dogs€with€compromised€joint€health;€youÐ 0!€ Ðmight€notice€this€as€a€reluctance€to€climb€stairs€or€even€to€walk€distances€that€used€to€be€noÐ "l Ðproblem.€Or€you€may€notice€stiffness€or€a€change€in€gait.€In€this€case,€the€product€is€started€with€aÐ #X  Ð4-6€week€loading€level€and€then,€once€a€response€is€seen,€is€gradually€lowered€to€a€level€thatÐ ô#D! Ðmaintains€the€animal's€comfort.Ð à$0 " Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ô€or€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€is€also€very€helpful€in€healthy€assistance€and€other€working€dogs€ofÐ Ì%!# Ðall€ages€to€protect€the€joints€of€these€active€dogs€as€they€go€about€their€daily€duties.€Research€hasÐ ¸&"$ Ðshown€that€dogs€given€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€prior€to€a€joint€injury€returned€to€normal€function€more€quicklyÐ ¤'ô"% Ðthan€dogs€that€were€not€given€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô.€Of€note,€when€used€for€protection,€the€lowerÐ (à#& Ðmaintenance€amount,€which€may€be€one€chewable€tablet€or€capsule€daily€or€every€other€day€in€aÐ |)Ì$' Ðlarge€breed€dog,€is€often€appropriate.€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€is€available€in€both€capsules€and€tasty€chewableÐ h*¸%( Ðtablets,€while€Ô_ÔDasuquinÔ_Ô€is€currently€available€in€chewable€tablets€(same€taste€as€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô).Ð T+¤&) Ѐ€€€€€€€€Moving€on€to€our€other€products,€we€offer€Ô_ÔDenosylÔ_Ôðð€for€support€of€liver€health.€YourÐ @,'* Ðveterinarian€may€recommend€Ô_ÔDenosylÔ_Ô€if€lab€work€shows€that€liver€function€is€decreased€or€ifÐ ,-|(+ ÐÑOYÑâ âÑ°°Ñâ âÑ  Ñyour€assistance€dog€is€taking€a€medication€that€might,€while€helping€another€problem,€hurt€theÐ ° Ðliver.€And€we€also€make€our€omega-3€fish€oil€product€Ô_ÔWelactinÔ_Ôðð€available.€Ô_ÔWelactinÔ_Ô€helps€skinÐ œì Ðand€coat€health€plus€heart,€brain,€and€kidney€health€and€overall€Ô_ÔwellnessÔ_Ô.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€By€supporting€joint,€liver,€and€overall€health,€our€products€may€aid€in€extending€anÐ tÄ Ðassistance€dog's€working€life,€thereby€helping€to€keep€the€bond€between€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member€andÐ `° Ðcanine€assistant€intact.€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€Laboratories,€Inc.€salutes€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€for€its€advocacy€efforts€onÐ L œ Ðbehalf€of€the€disabled€worldwide€and€looks€forward€to€continuing€our€relationship€with€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÔ_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€ð ðpartnersðð€with€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôó óÔ#†Xú,X BAgx#ÔÐ è 8  ÐÌÌ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô,€The€Pet€HospitalÔ_Ô(r)Ô_Ô,€and€its€charity,€The€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Charitable€Trust€(Ô_ÔBCTÔ_Ô)€areÐ úJ  Ðpartnering€with€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€to€help€provide€preventive€care€services€for€assistance€dogs.Ð æ6  Ѐ€€€€€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€and€the€Ô_ÔBCTÔ_Ô€have€donated€24€Ô_ÔBCTÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔwellnessÔ_Ô€plans€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô.€€The€plans€areÐ Ò" Ðawarded€free€of€charge,€are€valid€for€an€adult€dog€and€include€vaccinations,€two€comprehensiveÐ ¾ Ðexams,€two€free€office€visits€and€discounts€on€other€veterinary€services€from€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô.Ð ªú Ѐ€€€€€€€"It's€vital€that€assistance€dogs€remain€healthy€and€receive€the€routine€preventive€they€need€soÐ –æ Ðthey€can€continue€to€work,"€says€Dianne€McGill,€executive€director€of€the€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€CharitableÐ ‚Ò ÐTrust.€€"We€are€very€happy€to€be€partnering€with€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€and€helping€its€members€and€theirÐ n¾ Ðguide,€hearing€and€service€dogs.Ð Zª Ѐ€€€€€€Studies€show€that€dogs€who€receive€routine€preventive€care€live€longer,€happier€lives,Ð F– ÐMcGill€says.€€Assistance€dogs€play€an€important€role€in€society€and€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€wants€to€help€themÐ 2‚ Ðreceive€proper€veterinary€care.Ð n Ѐ€€€€€€The€Ô_ÔBCTÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans€are€made€available€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€who€need€financialÐ  Z Ðassistance€in€providing€care€for€their€assistance€dog.€Ð öF Ѐ€Ð â2 Ѐ€€€€€€ò òÔ_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€vision€for€helping€Petsó óÐ Î Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€was€founded€in€1955€by€Dr.€€Warren€Ô_ÔWegertÔ_Ô€with€a€commitment€to€making€humanÐ ¾ Ðquality€medicine€accessible€to€Pet€owners.€€In€its€hometown€of€Portland,€Oregon,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_ÔÐ ª ú Ðbecame€known€for€its€legendary€client€service,€strong€focus€on€preventive€care€and€lifesavingÐ –!æ Ðveterinary€medicine.€€By€the€early€1990's,€three€generations€of€Pet€owners€had€come€to€know€andÐ ‚"Ò  Ðtrust€the€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€team.Ð n#¾! Ѐ€€€€€€€€In€1994,€Ô_ÔPetSmartÔ_Ô,€the€nation's€largest€retailer€of€Pet-related€products,€services€andÐ Z$ª" Ðsolutions€for€Pets€and€Pet€owners,€asked€Dr.€€Scott€Campbell,€Chairman€of€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô,€to€helpÐ F%– # Ðbring€high-quality€veterinary€care€to€Ô_ÔPetSmartÔ_Ô€customers€by€opening€exclusive€Pet€hospitals€in€itsÐ 2&‚!$ Ðstore€locations.€€By€the€mid-1990's,€three€generations€of€Pet€owners€had€come€to€know€and€trustÐ 'n"% Ðthe€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€team,€making€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€the€leading€private€veterinary€practice€in€the€nation.€€Today,Ð  (Z#& ÐÔ_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€has€more€than€700€full-service€veterinary€hospitals€across€the€country,€the€UnitedÐ ö(F$' ÐKingdom€and€in€Mexico€City.Ð â)2%( ÐÌò ò€€€€€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ôððs€mission€of€treating€Pets€like€familyó óÐ º+ '* Ѐ€€€€€€The€mission€of€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€is€simple,€says€John€Payne,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô's€President€and€CEO.€"OurÐ ¦,ö'+ Ðvision€has€always€been€to€provide€Pets€with€the€same€quality€of€healthcare€that€their€humanÐ ’-â(, Ðfamily€members€receive,"€Payne€says.€€"We€strive€to€practice€high-quality€veterinary€medicineÐ ° Ðdelivered€by€carefully€selected€doctors€and€loving€team€members,€in€hospitals€withÐ œì Ðstate-of-the-art€equipment€and€supplies."€Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Together€with€our€high-tech€medical€equipment€and€technology,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€team€membersÐ tÄ Ðmake€life€better€for€families€by€treating€their€dogs€with€state-of€the-art€veterinary€medicineÐ `° Ðavailable.€Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€During€the€last€53€years,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€has€become€an€innovator€and€a€pioneer€in€veterinaryÐ 8 ˆ Ðmedicine,€largely€due€to€quintessential€offerings€and€services€setting€us€apart.€€Among€theseÐ $ t Ðservices€are€Optimum€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€PlansÔ_Ô(r)Ô_Ô€(now€in€place€for€two€decades),€a€Quality€AssuranceÐ  ` ÐProgram€known€as€the€best€in€the€profession€and€superior€anesthetic€devices€and€protocols.Ð ü L  ÐÌ€€€€€€€ò òMaximizing€Petsðð€lives€through€preventative€healthcareó óÐ Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Preventive€care€is€medicine€that€goes€beyond€treating€illness€to€eliminate€problems€beforeÐ Ä  Ðthey€happen,€especially€with€working€dogs.€€This€level€of€care€requires€close€attention€to€detailsÐ °  Ðsuch€as€vaccinations,€dental€hygiene€and€nutrition.€€In€keeping€with€its€strong€commitment€toÐ œì  Ðmaximizing€Pets'€lives€through€the€practice€of€preventive€healthcare,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€introducedÐ ˆØ  ÐOptimum€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€PlansÔ_Ô(r)Ô_Ô,€which€are€packages€of€preventive€healthcare€services€that€aim€to:Ð tÄ ÐÌò òKeep€your€Pet€safe€from€preventable€diseasesó ó€Ð Lœ Ѐ€€€€€€€Detect€abnormalities€early€enough€for€effective,€inexpensive€treatmentÐ <Œ Ѐ€€€€€€€Schedule€checkups€and€procedures€at€the€appropriate€timesÐ (x Ѐ€€€€€€€Eliminate€unnecessary€veterinary€expenses€Ð d ÐÌ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans€are€designed€to€make€preventive€care€more€accessible€andÐ ì< Ðaffordable€by€including€the€following€services,€which€we€recommend€each€year:Ð Ø( Ð*€Complete€Ô_ÔwellnessÔ_Ô€examsÐ Ä Ð*€VaccinesÐ ° Ð*€Lab€workÐ œì Ð*€Dental€Ô_ÔcleaningsÔ_ÔÐ ˆØ Ð*€Unlimited€office€visitsÐ tÄ Ѐ€€€€€"We€believe€that€by€detecting€problems€earlier,€Pets€and€working€dogs€can€live€longer,Ð ` ° Ðhealthier€lives.€€Our€prepaid€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plan€packages€include€a€complete€array€of€preventive€careÐ L!œ Ðservices,€free€office€visits€for€life,€and€substantial€discounts€on€any€veterinary€services€notÐ 8"ˆ  Ðprovided€under€the€Plans,"€says€Karen€K.€€€Ô_ÔFauntÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔDVMÔ_Ô,€MS,€Ô_ÔDACVIMÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Chief€MedicalÐ $#t! ÐOfficer.€Ð $`" Ѐ€€€€€€€By€providing€superior-quality€vaccine€boosters,€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans€protect€your€dog€fromÐ ü$L # Ðdiseases€that€other€practices€might€not€vaccinate€against.€€While€they€are€not€insurance€plans,€ourÐ è%8!$ ÐÔ_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans€are€designed€to€help€make€Pet€healthcare€more€affordable€by€offering€packages€ofÐ Ô&$"% Ðpreventive€care€services€at€a€50€percent€discount,€which€can€be€paid€in€advance€or€in€low,Ð À'#& Ðmonthly€payments€during€the€contract€year.€Ð ¬(ü#' Ѐ€€€€€€€Optimum€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans,€which€can€be€transferred€to€a€different€hospital€should€yourÐ ˜)è$( Ðfamily€decide€to€relocate,€are€designed€to€save€you€money€on€the€routine€medical€needs€of€yourÐ „*Ô%) Ðdog.€€An€affordable€alternative€to€Pet€health€insurance,€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€Plans€provide€customized€levelsÐ p+À&* Ðof€coverage€for€your€working€dog.€€Ð \,¬'+ Ѐ€€€€€€To€date,€more€than€two€million€clients€across€the€country€have€enrolled€in€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_ÔÐ H-˜(, ÐPlans.€€This€is€a€testament€to€the€widespread€influence€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€has€had€on€strengthening€theÐ ° Ðvalue€of€Pets€in€families.€Ð œì ÐÌ€€€€€€€€ò òUrgent€care:€bringing€Ô_ÔaffordabilityÔ_Ô,€convenience€and€quality€during€off„hoursó óÐ tÄ Ѐ€€€€€€€Understanding€that€healthcare€emergencies€do€not€always€happen€during€daytime€businessÐ d´ Ðhours,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€provides€several€urgent€care€hospitals€designed€to€help€meet€the€need€forÐ P   Ðafter-hours€Pet€healthcare.€€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€provides€after-hours€urgent€care€in€its€hospitals€in€Ô_ÔTualatinÔ_Ô,Ð < Œ ÐOre.,€Westminster,€Colo.,€Portland,€Ore.,€and€North€Denver,€Colo.Ð ( x Ѐ€€€€€€€"Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô's€mission€is€to€offer€our€clients€affordable,€convenient€and€high€quality€medicalÐ  d Ðcare€for€their€Pets,"€Ô_ÔFauntÔ_Ô€says.€€"Our€extended€hours€and€urgent€care€services€help€us€toÐ  P  Ðmeet€the€growing€need€of€our€clients€and€the€communities€we€serve-and€thereby€help€to€fulfillÐ ì <  Ðour€mission.€"Ð Ø(  Ѐ€€€€€€Clients€coming€to€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€urgent€care€locations€can€look€forward€to€being€offeredÐ Ä  Ðaffordable€and€reasonable€pricing€of€after-hours€healthcare€for€their€Pets€and€working€dogs.Ð °  ÐÌ€à  àà ` àà ¸ àÐ ˆØ  ÐÌ**************************************************************************Ð `° ÐÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔHow€to€Apply€for€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_ÔððsÐ 8ˆ ÐGrants€for€Financial€Assistanceó óÔ#†Xú,X BAÈ¡#ÔÐ r ÐÌò òòòÔ_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô,€The€Pet€Hospital€Partners€with€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôóóó óÐ ˜è ÐÌIn€the€preceding€article,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€announced€they€would€award€24€free€Ô_ÔWellnessÔ_Ô€programs€toÐ l¼ ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€partner€members.€€To€qualify,€please€provide€the€following€information:Ð X¨ ÐÌÌÌYour€name,€full€address€including€city,€state€and€zip,€phone€and€e-mail;€€your€assistance€dog'sÐ  X Ðname,€breed,€age€and€a€statement€saying€he/she€is€in€good€health;€your€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€membershipÐ ô D Ðnumber€and€expiration€date;€and€the€approximate€distance€from€your€home€plus€the€street€addressÐ à!0 Ðof€the€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Hospital€closest€to€you.€€Please€send€this€information€to€Dianne€McGill,Ð Ì"  ÐExecutive€Director,€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô€Charitable€Trust,€PO€Box€13998,€8000€NE€Ô_ÔTillamookÔ_Ô€Street,Ð ¸#! ÐPortland,€OR€97213-0998.€€Recipients€will€be€randomly€drawn€from€those€applying€for€the€grant.Ð ¤$ô" ÐÌ*****************************************************************************Ð |&Ì!$ ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔOlympic€Torch€Relay€with€Caesar€ó óÐ ,*|%( ÐÔ#†Xú,X BAá§#ÔÌby€Wendy€Ô_ÔMorrellÔ_ÔÐ R,¢'* ÐÐ >-Ž(+ Ѐ€€€€€€April€6th€2008€was€a€momentous€day€for€my€assistance€dog,€Caesar€and€I!€We€had€beenÐ ° Ðchosen€to€take€part€in€the€Olympic€Torch€Relay€in€London,€indeed,€a€privilege€and€an€Ô_ÔhonourÔ_Ô.Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€€€As€Caesar€was€to€be€the€only€animal€to€take€part€in€the€London€leg€of€the€relay,€and€I€wasÐ ˆØ Ðone€of€only€two€wheelchair€users,€I€was€aware€that€all€eyes€would€be€upon€us!Ð tÄ Ѐ€€€€€€€I'd€known€for€several€months€that€we€would€be€taking€part,€but€nevertheless,€it€remained€aÐ `° Ðcomplete€surprise.€I€was€nominated€by€my€friend€Karen€Ô_ÔRuddlesdenÔ_Ô€in€a€competition€Ô_ÔorganisedÔ_ÔÐ L œ Ðby€Samsung€to€find€"Real€Life€Heroes",€and€to€my€delight€was€one€of€four€winners.€Two€winnersÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€carry€the€torch€in€London,€supported€by€the€other€two€winners€who€will€carry€the€torch€inÐ $ t ÐChina,€and€we€in€turn€will€travel€to€China€to€support€them.Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€€It€didn't€take€me€a€moment€to€accept€such€a€wonderful€prize,€not€only€for€the€personalÐ ü L  ÐÔ_ÔhonourÔ_Ô,€but€also€because€I€already€knew€that€Samsung€do€great€things€in€the€dog€world,€havingÐ è 8  Ðbeen€major€sponsors€of€Ô_ÔCruftsÔ_Ô€since€1993,€their€tremendously€valuable€work€in€the€field€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðhuman-animal€bond€and€also€with€assistance€dogs€in€South€Korea.€It€also€dawned€on€me€that€itÐ À  Ðwas€a€great€way€to€get€the€message€out€about€the€essential€role€assistance€dogs€play€in€the€lives€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðmany€people€with€disabilities.Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€Even€before€torch€relay€day€came,€I€had€done€a€lot€of€soul€searching€about€whether€or€not€toÐ „Ô  Ðtake€part€in€view€of€the€political€events,€but€had€concluded,€not€only€was€this€a€chance€in€aÐ pÀ Ðlifetime,€but€more€importantly,€politics€must€not€be€allowed€to€interfere€with€the€greatest€show€ofÐ \¬ Ðunity€on€earth,€the€Olympics.€The€torch€relay€is€after€all,€the€Journey€of€Harmony.Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€The€day€before€the€torch€relay,€we€had€to€attend€City€Hall€in€London€for€a€briefing€andÐ 4„ Ðuniform€fitting€ð8ð€that's€when€we€got€the€opportunity€to€pose€for€the€attached€picture€whereÐ  p ÐCaesar€is€showing€a€keen€interest€in€the€torch!€On€the€relay€day€itself,€we€had€a€very€early€startÐ  \ Ðand€Ô_ÔtravelledÔ_Ô€to€Ô_ÔWembleyÔ_Ô€Stadium€to€see€Sir€Stephen€Ô_ÔRedgraveÔ_Ô€(five€times€Olympic€GoldÐ øH ÐMedallist€in€rowing)€start€the€proceedings€off.€Snow€had€been€falling€for€a€couple€of€hours€at€thisÐ ä4 Ðpoint,€but€our€high€spirits€meant€we€didn't€feel€the€cold€too€much!€This€was€a€really€specialÐ Ð  Ðmoment€as€Sir€Steve€had€chaired€the€judging€panel€in€the€Samsung€competition,€and€we€had€metÐ ¼  Ðhim€at€a€presentation€evening€in€London€before€Christmas.Ð ¨ø Ѐ€€€€€€After€seeing€the€torch€on€its€way,€we€headed€back€into€central€London€and€assembled€at€theÐ ”ä ÐWaldorf€Hilton€Hotel€with€many€of€the€other€torchbearers.€An€opportunity€to€get€something€toÐ €Ð Ðeat€and€chat€with€others€involved€with€the€relay.€Also,€this€was€the€time€when€I€had€a€specialÐ l¼ Ðbracket€fitted€to€my€wheelchair€for€the€torch€to€sit€in,€as€I€had€decided€to€self€propel€my€manualÐ X ¨ Ðwheelchair,€Caesar€as€usual€on€my€left€side,€and€the€torch€on€my€right.€Just€time€to€get€changedÐ D!” Ðand€catch€the€relay€on€the€news€before€we€headed€off€on€the€torchbearers€bus.€Ð 0"€  Ѐ€€€€€€€The€news€was€showing€some€disruption€to€the€relay,€so€everything€was€up€in€the€air,Ð #l! Ðwhether€the€relay€would€be€rerouted€or€even€stopped.€Once€on€the€bus€we€did€see€someÐ $X" Ðprotestors,€and€at€one€stage€our€bus€was€caught€up€in€heavy€congestion.€It€did€cross€my€mind€thatÐ ô$D # Ðit€might€not€be€safe€for€either€Caesar€or€myself€to€take€part,€but€we€trusted€in€the€excellent€adviceÐ à%0!$ Ðwe€were€being€given€by€the€Ô_ÔorganisersÔ_Ô.€I€must€stress€if€that€at€any€time€I€had€thought€it€to€be€notÐ Ì&"% Ðin€Caesars'€best€interests€we€would€have€withdrawn€on€the€spot,€but€it€has€to€be€remembered€he€isÐ ¸'#& Ða€mature€and€very€experienced€assistance€dog,€has€Ô_ÔtravelledÔ_Ô€extensively,€thrives€in€newÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsituations,€and€also€I€had€the€knowledge€of€knowing€he€coped€admirably€when€we€wereÐ )à$( Ðinadvertently€caught€up€in€an€anti€war€demo€in€London€two€years€before.€In€fact€the€latter€was€farÐ |*Ì%) Ðworse€than€anything€we€saw€on€torch€relay€day!Ð h+¸&* Ѐ€€€€€€€€There€was€constant€communication€between€The€Metropolitan€Police,€London€2012€andÐ T,¤'+ ÐÔ_ÔBOCOGÔ_Ô€about€what€was€to€happen€next.€At€one€stage,€it€looked€like€the€relay€may€be€abandoned,Ð @-(, Ðbut€thankfully,€that€did€not€happen,€it€was€rerouted.€€(Caesar€was€so€Ô_ÔunphasedÔ_Ô€by€it€all,€he€spent€aÐ ° Ðgood€deal€of€time€on€the€torchbearers€bus€snoozing)!€So€instead€of€taking€the€torch€along€CanonÐ œì ÐStreet€in€the€City€of€London€(behind€St€Ô_ÔPaulsÔ_Ô€Cathedral),€we€actually€carried€it€a€section€of€€KingÐ ˆØ ÐWilliam€Street€from€the€Monument€to€almost€€half€way€across€London€Bridge.€The€rerouting€hadÐ tÄ Ðworked€to€our€advantage,€the€torch€was€originally€meant€to€be€on€a€bus€in€this€area,€so€noÐ `° Ðprotestors€had€congregated€there€at€all!€Any€of€€my€previous€worries€about€safety€fizzled€away€asÐ L œ Ðwe€were€cheered€on€by€an€enthusiastic€but€quite€small€crowd€and€Caesar€looked€every€bit€asÐ 8 ˆ Ðhappy€as€he€does€on€a€usual€walk€in€the€park.Ð $ t Ѐ€€€€€€€All€too€soon€we€had€covered€just€over€a€tenth€of€a€mile€and€were€handing€the€torch€on€again,Ð  ` Ðthen€came€a€quick€television€interview€and€some€photographs€before€the€next€torchbearers'€busÐ ü L  Ðcollected€us.€Eventually€we€were€back€at€The€Waldorf€Hilton,€watching€snatches€of€the€relay€onÐ è 8  Ðtelevision€again;€it€all€seemed€a€bit€of€a€dream!€Once€we€had€Ô_ÔhadÔ_Ô€the€bracket€taken€off€myÐ Ô$  Ðwheelchair,€met€up€again€with€friends€and€family,€grabbed€someÐ À  Ðrefreshments,€there€was€time€for€a€couple€more€television€interviews€before€we€headed€off€again.Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€€€€This€time€we€were€destined€for€Greenwich,€which€was€the€end€of€the€torch€relay€in€London,Ð ˜è  Ðwe€made€it€in€plenty€of€time€for€the€lighting€of€the€cauldron,€and€were€able€again€to€mingle€withÐ „Ô  Ðother€torchbearers,€before€the€torch€finally€made€its€way€across€the€River€Thames€in€the€veryÐ pÀ Ðcapable€hands€of€Dame€Ellen€Ô_ÔMcArthurÔ_Ô,€solo€round€the€world€sailing€record€holder,€(who€CaesarÐ \¬ Ðand€I€had€the€Ô_ÔhonourÔ_Ô€of€meeting€a€few€years€ago),€and€then€onwards€into€Peninsula€Square,€heldÐ H˜ Ðaloft€by€Dame€Kelly€Holmes€(double€Olympic€gold€medallist,€running).€Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Whilst€in€Greenwich€I€had€the€opportunity€to€meet€some€other€wheelchair€users€who€hadÐ  p Ðcome€to€watch€the€show,€their€opinion€was€that€it€was€right€to€continue€and€take€part,€that€it€was€aÐ  \ Ðtremendous€message€to€the€world€that€people€with€disabilities€and€for€that€matter,€assistance€dogsÐ øH Ðare€at€the€very€heart€of€society€here€in€the€west€and€if€any€of€the€images€of€us€in€the€torch€relayÐ ä4 Ðmake€it€to€China€that's€the€message€they€will€carry.Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€€Overall€it€was€a€fantastic€opportunity,€and€has€given€me€memories€to€cherish€forever.€As€farÐ ¼  Ðas€we€know€Caesar€is€the€only€dog€to€have€ever€taken€part€in€the€torch€relay€in€the€UnitedÐ ¨ø ÐKingdom.Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€Next€stop,€China,€but€Ô_ÔsssssshhhhhÔ_Ô€don't€mention€it€to€Caesar€as€he€will€be€taking€a€holidayÐ €Ð Ðwith€his€puppy€Ô_ÔsocialiserÔ_Ô€whilst€I€travel€to€Ô_ÔXi'anÔ_Ô€with€Karen€and€a€delegation€from€Samsung.Ð l¼ ÐThere€are€many€reasons€why€Caesar€will€not€be€coming€to€China,€not€least€because€it€is€not€aÐ X ¨ ÐÔ_ÔDEFRAÔ_Ô€listed€country,€so€any€British€animal€entering€China€would€have€to€undergo€six€monthsÐ D!” Ðquarantine€upon€their€return.€Just€for€the€record,€if€someone€visited€China€from€the€United€StatesÐ 0"€  Ðor€anywhere€else€with€their€assistance€dog,€they€would€also€have€to€wait€at€least€six€monthsÐ #l! Ðbefore€they€could€enter€the€United€Kingdom.Ð $X" Ѐ€€€€€€€€Since€being€chosen€to€take€part€in€the€Torch€Relay€myself,€I€have€been€keeping€a€watchfulÐ ô$D # Ðeye€on€news€stories€about€Ping€Ô_ÔYaliÔ_Ô,€a€Chinese€Ô_ÔparalympicÔ_Ô€athlete€from€Beijing€and€her€GoldenÐ à%0!$ ÐRetriever€Guide€Dog,€Lucky.€She€has€been€chosen€to€carry€the€torch€in€China€and€was€unsure€ifÐ Ì&"% Ðshe€could€be€accompanied€by€Lucky€as€there€was€a€local€law€which€stated€that€people€withÐ ¸'#& Ðdisabilities€could€not€go€out€in€public€with€dogs€weighing€more€than€40€pounds€alone.€A€bit€selfÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdefeating€for€an€assistance€dog€team!€I€can€only€imagine€the€frustration€that€must€bring,€and€haveÐ )à$( Ðoften€thought€about€this€lady,€half€a€world€away,€and€how€she€is€coping.Ð |*Ì%) Ѐ€€€€€€€Imagine€my€delight€to€read€at€the€end€of€April,€barely€a€couple€of€weeks€after€my€torch€runÐ h+¸&* Ðwith€Caesar,€that€there€has€been€an€amendment€passed€to€the€Law€on€the€Protection€of€DisabledÐ T,¤'+ ÐPersons,€it€afford€more€freedom€to€people€with€disabilities€but€in€particular€the€lifting€of€the€banÐ @-(, Ðof€large€dogs€in€public€places€if€they€are€assistance€dogs€caught€my€attention.Ð ° Ѐ€€€€€ð ð€Explaining€the€law€amendment€to€the€Standing€Committee€of€the€National€People'sÐ œì ÐCongress€(Ô_ÔNPCÔ_Ô),€Minister€of€Civil€Affairs€Li€Ô_ÔXuejuÔ_Ô€said€it€was€necessary€to€make€a€change€toÐ ˆØ Ðallow€the€guide€dogs€into€public€places€as€many€other€countries€do.Ð tÄ Ѐ€€€€€€"In€bidding€for€the€hosting€of€the€2008€Olympic€Games,€our€country€has€also€à x àmade€aÐ `° Ðcommitment€to€foreign€athletes€for€them€to€bring€guide€dogs€to€China,"€he€said.Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€However,€although€the€law€amendment€grants€the€blind€the€right€to€take€guide€dogs€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðpublic€places,€detailed€rules€are€needed€to€facilitate€its€implementation,€Ma€Ô_ÔYu'eÔ_Ô,€deputy€directorÐ $ t Ðof€the€legal€department€of€the€China€Disabled€Persons'€Federation,€said.Ð  ` Ðà  àMa€said€that€the€federation€is€now€working€with€public€security€departments€in€BeijingÐ ü L  Ðand€"it's€very€likely€that€a€detailed€rule€on€guide€dogs€will€be€made€before€à  àthe€Ô_ÔParalympicsÔ_Ô".Ð è 8  Ðà  àMa€said€such€a€change€marks€great€progress€in€safeguarding€the€rights€and€à Ð àÐ Ô$  Ðinterests€of€the€blind.Ð À  Ðà  à"The€misunderstanding€that€guide€dogs€are€pets€must€be€corrected,"€she€said.€€"They€areÐ ¬ü  Ðworking€dogs€just€as€police€dogs€are.€And€guide€dogs€are€intelligent€and€friendly.€They€won'tÐ ˜è  Ðcause€any€safety€issues."Ð „Ô  Ðà  àOfficial€figures€show€about€12.3€million€people€in€the€country€suffer€from€visual€à Ð àÐ pÀ Ðimpairments€and€there€is€an€increasing€demand€for€guide€dogs."Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€€€€As€part€of€my€work€as€a€member€of€The€Disabled€Persons€Transport€Advisory€Committee,Ð H˜ Ðwhich€advises€the€government€here€in€the€UK€on€the€transport€needs€of€people€with€disabilities,€IÐ 4„ Ðhave€been€involved€in€the€discussions€regarding€the€transport€plan€for€the€2012€Olympic€GamesÐ  p Ðwhich€are€due€to€be€held€in€London.€There,€much€of€the€talk€is€not€about€what€happens€at€gamesÐ  \ Ðtime,€but€legacy,€i.e.€what€is€left€in€the€host€nation€after€the€Olympics€have€packed€up€and€movedÐ øH Ðon.€If€nothing€else,€and€I€am€sure€there€is€plenty€more,€the€legacy€for€Beijing€2008€will€be€greaterÐ ä4 Ðpermanent€freedom€for€guide€dog€partnerships€in€China.€Delightful!Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ‡ôòXXú,ÔQuote€taken€from€China€Daily€online:€http://Ô_Ôwww.chinadaily.com.cnÔ_Ô/Ô_ÔolympicsÔ_Ô/2008-04/25/content_6643477.htmÐ ¨ø ÐTo€view€Wendyððs€participation€in€the€Torch€Relay,€visit:€€http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c2sawbuu14Ð l¼ ЀÌÌÌò òÔ#†Xú,XòôÍÜ#ÔÌÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÔ_ÔADIÔ_Ô€President€Takes€Part€In€Flight€Simulation€Exerciseó óÔ#†Xú,X BAQÞ#ÔÐ h!¸  ÐÌ€€€€€€€€Peter€Ô_ÔGorbingÔ_Ô,€chief€executive€of€Dogs€for€the€Disabled€and€President€of€Assistance€DogsÐ Ž#Þ" ÐInternational€visited€the€Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_Ô€Foundation€in€Barcelona€in€April€to€deliver€a€lecture€on€theÐ z$Ê# Ðwork€of€Dogs€for€the€Disabled.€€As€part€of€the€trip,€Peter€was€also€invited€to€take€part€in€anÐ f%¶ $ Ðairline€simulation€exercise€involving€the€safe€evacuation€of€assistance€dogs,€Ô_ÔorganisedÔ_Ô€by€SpeedÐ R&¢!% ÐFly€and€observed€by€representatives€of€the€Catalan€Government€and€the€Sabadell€Airport€DirectorÐ >'Ž"& Ðfrom€Ô_ÔAENAÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔAeropuertosÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔEspanolesÔ_Ô€y€Ô_ÔNavegacionÔ_Ô€Area).€€Here€he€describes€what€happened:Ð *(z#' Ѐ€€€€€€€ð ðImproving€access€for€disabled€people€with€assistance€dogs€is€a€key€issue€for€all€assistanceÐ )f$( Ðdog€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô.€€With€new€EU€Regulations€on€the€rights€of€disabled€persons€Ô_ÔtravellingÔ_Ô€by€airÐ *R%) Ðcoming€into€force€in€July€2008,€disabled€people€with€assistance€dogs€will€have€to€be€catered€forÐ î*>&* Ðby€all€airports€and€airlines€across€Europe.€This€is€a€significant€step€forward€which€is€welcomedÐ Ú+*'+ Ðby€all€assistance€dog€Ô_ÔorganisationsÔ_Ô.€Ð Æ,(, Ѐ€€€€€€€€One€of€the€issues€thrown€up€by€the€new€regulations€is€to€work€out€how€airlines€should€bestÐ ²-)- Ðdeal€with€various€situations€involving€assistance€dogs€Ô_ÔtravellingÔ_Ô€in€the€cabin.€The€aim€of€theÐ ° Ðsimulated€flight€was€to€see€how€various€scenarios€might€work€out€and€to€learn€from€theÐ œì Ðexperience.€€During€the€flight,€there€was€a€simulated€fire,€serious€turbulence,€decompression€andÐ ˆØ Ðan€emergency€evacuation.€A€full€briefing€was€given€to€the€participants€prior€to€going€onto€theÐ tÄ Ðplane€by€Ô_ÔJosepÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔAguilellaÔ_Ô€(an€airline€pilot),€Ô_ÔTeoÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔMariscalÔ_Ô€(Director€of€the€Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_Ô€Foundation)Ð `° Ðand€Ô_ÔFrancescÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔRistolÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_Ô€Director€and€retired€airline€pilot).Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€The€dogs€taking€part€in€the€exercise€were€all€assistance€dogs€being€trained€by€the€Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_ÔÐ 8 ˆ ÐFoundation€and€no€qualified€dogs€were€involved.€€It€was€noticeable€that€throughout€the€exerciseÐ $ t Ðthe€dogs€were€exceptionally€calm€and€well-behaved.€This€was€probably€helped€by€the€fact€thatÐ  ` Ðthe€handlers€were€aware€of€what€was€going€to€happen€in€advance.€One€of€the€major€issues€that€aÐ ü L  Ðreal€ððliveðð€situation€could€throw€up€is€how€significant€it€would€be€if€the€dogs€picked€up€on€anyÐ è 8  Ðpanic€being€shown€by€the€dogs€handler/partner.€This€could€make€it€much€more€difficult€toÐ Ô$  Ðmanage€a€dog€during€an€emergency.€The€dogs€sat€in€the€Ô_ÔfootwellÔ_Ô€of€the€passenger€seats€and€wereÐ À  Ðsecured€with€a€simple€harness.Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€€€One€issue€that€loss€of€air€pressure€throws€up€is€what€to€do€with€the€dog€when€passengers€areÐ ˜è  Ðrequired€to€wear€an€oxygen€mask.€The€Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_Ô€Foundation€has€developed€a€special€mask€that€isÐ „Ô  Ðsuitable€for€a€dog€and€this€was€tested€during€the€flight.€Getting€the€mask€onto€the€dog€did€notÐ pÀ Ðprove€to€be€a€significant€problem,€but€there€is€still€work€to€do€on€the€design€and€the€issue€ofÐ \¬ Ðwhether€it€should€be€attached€to€a€portable€tank€(as€was€the€case€here)€or€an€adaption€to€theÐ H˜ Ðpassenger€supply.€Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€€€On-board€fires€are€obviously€a€major€issue€for€airlines.€The€simulated€fire€was€veryÐ  p Ðunpleasant€and€the€smell€and€lack€of€visibility€are€a€problem.€Despite€this,€the€dogs€remainedÐ  \ Ðcalm€and€in€place€throughout€this€part€of€the€exercise.Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€The€calmness€of€the€dogs€was€also€noticeable€during€the€ððturbulenceðð€phase€of€the€exercise.Ð ä4 ÐMany€of€the€dogs€just€lay€down€on€the€floor€and€dozed€despite€the€noise.Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€The€final€part€of€the€exercise€involved€an€evacuation€of€the€plane€via€the€emergency€chutes.Ð ¼  ÐThe€evacuation€proceeded€in€a€very€orderly€way.€The€most€important€thing€here€was€to€work€outÐ ¨ø Ðthe€best€way€to€hold€and€support€the€dogs€as€they€go€down€the€chute.€Once€the€dogs€were€heldÐ ”ä Ðfrom€underneath€with€all€four€legs€firmly€within€the€handlers€arms,€the€dogs€seemed€quiteÐ €Ð Ðcontent€to€go€down€the€chute€with€their€handler.Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€€So,€what€were€the€key€things€learnt€from€the€simulation€exercise?€The€dogs€were€very€calmÐ X ¨ Ðand€took€the€whole€thing€in€their€stride.€The€major€problem€to€overcome€is€how€to€ensure€that€theÐ D!” Ðvarious€elements€of€the€exercise€can€be€replicated,€should€they€be€required,€in€a€real€live€situationÐ 0"€  Ðand€to€identify€who€will€take€responsibility€for€the€various€things€that€will€need€to€happen€toÐ #l! Ðsupport€the€dog€in€the€event€of€a€problem€on€the€flight.€In€any€emergency€situation,€the€cabin€staffÐ $X" Ðhave€a€significant€number€of€things€to€do€and€ensuring€the€needs€of€the€assistance€dog€are€metÐ ô$D # Ðmay€get€lost€during€a€specific€incident.€This€requires€further€discussion€with€the€airlines.Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€€The€Ô_ÔBocalanÔ_Ô€Foundation€is€to€be€congratulated€on€undertaking€this€simulation€exerciseÐ Ì&"% Ðwhich€was€a€critical€step€forward€in€ensuring€that€safe€and€considerate€air€travel€is€available€to€allÐ ¸'#& Ðassistance€dog€clients€who€want€to€travel€with€their€dogs€and€all€airlines€need€to€ensure€they€areÐ ¤(ô#' Ðready€to€meet€their€obligations€in€July.ðð€Ð )à$( ÐÌPeter€Ô_ÔGorbingÔ_ÔÐ h+¸&* ÐMay€2008Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ЇÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔPaws€Across€The€Pond,€Part€IIó óÔ#†Xú,X BAâø#ÔÐ œì ÐÌBy€Oak€Wilkins.Ð Â ÐÌ€€€€€€€€Hello€again.€€Remember€me?€€I'm€the€Yellow€Lab€guide€dog€whose€mum€is€the€CanadianÐ š ê Ðvice-president€of€the€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners-Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô.€€Last€Fall,Ð † Ö Ðshe€suggested€that€I€give€you€a€play-by-play€of€the€steps€that€she€and€I€have€had€to€go€through€toÐ r  Ðmake€sure€that€I€can€go€to€England€with€her€in€June€to€attend€the€first-ever€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€conference€toÐ ^ ® Ðbe€held€in€Europe.Ð J š  Ѐ€€€€€€€€When€we€talked€last€October,€I€had€received€a€rabies€booster,€and€was€just€about€to€get€myÐ 6†  Ðblood€tested€to€make€sure€that€I€had€a€level€of€immunity€sufficient€to€protect€me€against€the€rabiesÐ "r  Ðvirus.€€It's€called€a€Titer€test.€€The€blood€sample€had€to€be€sent€all€the€way€to€a€lab€in€Kansas.€Ð ^  ÐThat€would€have€cost€my€mum€a€lot€more€than€it€did€if€she€hadn't€been€able€to€take€advantage€ofÐ úJ  Ðthe€discount€offered€by€that€lab€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members.Ð æ6  Ѐ€€€€€€A€couple€of€weeks€later,€we€received€a€good€result,€and€the€six€months€of€waiting€began.€€It'sÐ Ò" Ðkind€of€like€doing€the€time€in€quarantine,€except€that€I€can€continue€guiding€my€mum€anywhereÐ ¾ Ðshe€wants€to€go€in€North€America.€€In€November,€for€example,€we€celebrated€Mum's€birthdayÐ ªú Ðwith€family€in€Quebec€and€Vermont,€and€in€December,€we€celebrated€Christmas€with€friends€inÐ –æ ÐPeterborough€and€more€family€in€Ottawa.€€In€late€February,€we€went€on€a€business€trip€to€LondonÐ ‚Ò Ðall€right,€but€that€London€was€right€here€in€Ontario.Ð n¾ Ѐ€€€€€€€€When€our€six-month€waiting€period€is€finished€in€April,€Mum€will€have€to€talk€to€Dr.Ð Zª ÐÔ_ÔJacquieÔ_Ô€again,€and€make€sure€that€all€the€details€in€sections€1€to€5€€of€the€official€third€countryÐ F– Ðveterinary€certificate€have€been€filled€in.€The€certificate€will€then€have€to€be€endorsed€by€a€vetÐ 2‚ Ðapproved€by€the€Canadian€government.€€During€our€€travels,€we€will€have€to€carry€my€vaccinationÐ n Ðrecord€and€blood€test€result€both€showing€the€microchip€number.€Ð  Z Ѐ€€€€€€€No€less€than€24€hours€and€no€more€than€48€hours€before€we€check€in€with€British€Airways,€IÐ öF Ðwill€have€to€be€treated€for€ticks€and€tapeworms.€€Oh,€joy!€€I€hope€the€medicine€won't€give€me€aÐ â2 Ðhumongous€case€of€the€runs,€or€Mum€will€really€be€in€a€flummox.Ð Î Ѐ€€€€€€€Because€we're€flying€with€a€British€owned€airline,€Mum€will€also€have€to€purchase€a€safetyÐ º  Ðharness.€€From€what€I€understood€when€my€friend€Caesar's€mum,€Wendy€demonstrated€it€at€aÐ ¦ ö Ðprevious€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€conference,€the€safety€harness€will€be€hooked€both€to€my€harness€and€to€theÐ ’!â Ðseatbelt€in€the€plane€to€make€sure€that€I€don't€go€flying€around€the€cabin€in€the€event€of€extremeÐ ~"Î  Ðturbulence.Ð j#º! Ѐ€€€€€€€Well,€folks,€I€may€have€something€to€write€for€the€June€issue€of€The€Harness,€but€if€not,€I'llÐ V$¦" Ðwait€until€September€to€tell€you€all€about€our€trip.€€So€as€the€British€would€say,€Ô_ÔcherioÔ_Ô€for€now.Ð B%’ # ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔVirginia€Grants€Access€to€Team€Facilitators!ó óÔ#†Xú,X BA*#ÔÐ ò(B$' ÐÌòòVirginia€Gov.€Tim€Ô_ÔKaineÔ_Ô€signs€two€laws€in€support€of€Assistance€Dogs€óóÐ +h&) ÐStory€and€Photos€by€Marty€van€Ô_ÔDuyneÔ_Ô,€Member,€Dog€Writers€Association€of€AmericaÐ ,T'* ÐÌà  àRichmond,€Va.€€--€€Gov.€Tim€Ô_ÔKaineÔ_Ô€signed€two€pieces€of€groundbreaking€legislation€onÐ Ü-,), ÐMay€6€in€support€of€Assistance€Dogs.€Flanked€on€the€right€by€Canine€Companions€forÐ ° ÐIndependence€(Ô_ÔCCIÔ_Ô)€Service€Dog€Cal€(Calder)€and€on€the€left€by€4€Paws€for€Ability€Service€DogÐ œì ÐÔ_ÔGrizwaldÔ_Ô€he€ceremoniously€put€pen€to€paper.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àBy€signing€the€laws,€he€extended€a€hand€that€will€extend€the€reach€of€some€helping€paws.€Ð tÄ ÐBoth€laws€amend€and€reenact€the€Virginians€with€Disabilities€Act€(55.5-44).Ð `° Ðò òÌ€€€€€€€€€€€Mattððs€Lawó óÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àÔ_ÔKaineÔ_Ô€first€signed€Matt's€Law,€named€for€the€young€man€that€was€the€catalyst€for€theÐ $ t Ðlegislation.€Brought€before€the€legislature€as€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214,€it€adds€the€terminology€"public€entities,Ð  ` Ðincluding€schools,"€to€the€list€of€public€places€in€which€persons€with€disabilities€are€entitled€toÐ ü L  Ðthe€same€full€and€free€rights€as€other€persons.Ð è 8  ÐCampaigning€for€ConstituentsÐ Ô$  Ðà  àIn€the€fall€of€2007€Virginia€Del.€Mark€L.€Cole,€R€-€88th€District€was€knocking€on€doors.Ð À  ÐWith€his€district€being€50€miles€south€of€Washington,€D.C.€he€was€accustomed€to€beingÐ ¬ü  Ðapproached€with€concerns€about€base€realignments,€government€benefits,€and€traffic€congestion.Ð ˜è  Ðà  àWhat€he€was€not€accustomed€to€was€what€he€confronted€when€he€knocked€on€the€door€ofÐ „Ô  ÐTom€and€Sharon€Ô_ÔHoioosÔ_Ô.Ð pÀ Ðà  àThe€couple's€youngest€child,€Matt€was€born€with€the€rare€genetic€disorder€X-LinkedÐ \¬ ÐÔ_ÔHydrocephalousÔ_Ô.€Matt,€who€was€9€at€the€time,€is€confined€to€a€wheel€chair€and€weighs€a€mere€35Ð H˜ Ðpounds.€But€standing€in€support€at€his€side,€anticipating€his€every€move€was€a€golden€haired€dog.Ð 4„ Ðà  àCalder€is€a€Ô_ÔCCIÔ_Ô€Service€Dog€and€had€been€by€Matt's€side€since€Nov.€2006.€However,€theÐ  p Ðdog€is€mostly€by€the€boy's€side€at€home€because€the€Stafford€County€School€System€will€notÐ  \ Ðallow€the€dog€to€attend€classes.Ð øH Ðà  àBut€the€problem€went€deeper€than€the€classroom.€"When€we€first€got€Cal,€he€accompaniedÐ ä4 Ðus€to€an€after€hours€concert€at€North€Stafford€High€School€at€which€Matt's€siblings€wereÐ Ð  Ðperforming,"€said€Tom.€"We€were€challenged€by€school€officials€about€the€Service€Dog€evenÐ ¼  Ðbeing€allowed€in€the€building."Ð ¨ø Ðà  àThe€Ô_ÔHoioosÔ_Ô,€who€with€Cal€and€Matt€make€up€a€3€unit€Service€Dog€Team,€were€eventuallyÐ ”ä Ðallowed€into€the€event,€but€were€told€to€stay€in€the€back€of€the€room.€They€were€told€that€thisÐ €Ð Ðaccommodation€was€not€to€be€taken€as€blanket€approval€for€bringing€the€Service€Dog€to€futureÐ l¼ Ðevents.Ð X ¨ Ðà  àThe€family€has€been€in€discussions€with€the€school€ever€since€in€an€attempt€to€allow€CalÐ D!” Ðto€attend€class€with€Matt.€However,€the€Stafford€County€School€System's€position€has€been€thatÐ 0"€  Ðthe€dog€must€be€included€in€Matt's€Individual€Education€Plan€(Ô_ÔIEPÔ_Ô)Ð #l! Ðà  àDespite€the€fact€that€the€ADA€specifically€addresses€Assistance€Dog€access,€and€nowhereÐ $X" Ðdoes€the€law€require€the€dog€to€provide€an€educational€benefit€to€a€student,€the€Stafford€CountyÐ ô$D # ÐSchool€System€has€used€the€Ô_ÔIEPÔ_Ô€as€a€litmus€test€for€accessibility.Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àIn€Matt's€case,€they€have€determined€that€Cal€does€not€provide€an€educational€benefit€andÐ Ì&"% Ðtherefore€cannot€attend€class.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àò òBirth€of€the€Billó óÐ )à$( Ðà  àCole€was€disturbed€by€what€he€heard€from€the€family€saying€he€thought€the€ADA€settledÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€question€of€Assistance€Dog€access€years€ago.Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àHe€researched€public€school€access€both€through€legislative€services€and€the€VirginiaÐ T,¤'+ ÐAttorney€General's€Office€and€found€that€Stafford€County€School's€position€did€not€have€anyÐ @-(, Ðlegal€standing.Ð ° Ðà  à"If€challenged€in€court,€the€school€system€would€lose,"€he€said.€"I€felt€the€best€way€for€theÐ œì Ðcounty€to€avoid€a€costly€suit€would€be€to€enact€a€law."€€Ð ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214Ð tÄ Ðà  àCole€wrote€and€pre-filed€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214€on€Dec.€27,€2007.€€He€included€the€specificÐ `° Ðterminology€"public€entities€including€schools"€so€there€would€be€no€question€that€public€schoolÐ L œ Ðsystems€are€required€to€abide€by€the€law.Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àThe€delegate€indicated€that€it€was€basically€just€a€matter€of€drafting€the€legislation€andÐ $ t Ðsubmitting€it.€"There€was€no€opposition€to€the€bill€within€the€legislature,"€Cole€said,€addingÐ  ` Ð"Most€of€the€members€couldn't€believe€it€was€even€an€issue."Ð ü L  Ðà  àThe€bill€was€referred€to€the€House€Committee€on€Health,€Welfare€and€Institutions.€On€JanÐ è 8  Ð10€after€several€delegates€were€assured€that€no€retrofitting€of€schools€or€extra€expense€would€beÐ Ô$  Ðincurred,€the€bill€passed€the€committee€by€unanimous€vote€of€22€-€0.Ð À  ÐSenatorial€SupportÐ ¬ü  Ðà  àAfter€the€house€committee€vote,€the€Ô_ÔHoioosÔ_Ô'€met€with€Sen.€Richard€H.€Stuart,€R€-€28thÐ ˜è  ÐDistrict€to€enlist€his€support.Ð „Ô  Ðà  àThe€newly€elected€senator€has€a€daughter€with€special€needs€and€knows€the€obstacles€thatÐ pÀ Ðanyone€with€a€child€with€disabilities€faces€on€a€daily€basis.€Stuart€immediately€signed€on€asÐ \¬ ÐSenate€patron€of€the€Bill€and€said,€"I€understand€the€significance€of€helping€them€be€asÐ H˜ Ðindependent€as€possible."Ð 4„ Ðà  àAfter€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214€passed€the€full€House€on€a€unanimous€Block€Vote€of€98-0€on€Jan.€15,€itÐ  p Ðwas€sent€to€the€Senate€on€Jan.€16€and€referred€to€the€Senate€Committee€on€Education€and€Health.€Ð  \ ÐOn€Feb.€14,€the€bill€was€re-referred€by€unanimous€vote€to€the€Rehabilitation€and€Social€ServicesÐ øH ÐCommittee.Ð ä4 ÐOppositionÐ Ð  Ðà  àCole€said€he€initially€addressed€a€few€concerns€from€citizens€but€he€indicated€that€theyÐ ¼  Ðhad€no€problem€with€constituents€after€explaining€the€laws€concerning€Assistance€Dog€access.Ð ¨ø Ðà  àAlthough€the€bill€had€gone€unopposed€in€the€House,€when€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214€was€read€on€Feb.€26Ð ”ä Ðprior€to€the€Senate€Rehabilitation€and€Social€Services€Committee€hearing,€Kathleen€S.€Ô_ÔMehfoudÔ_Ô,Ð €Ð Ða€lobbyist€with€Reed€Smith€of€Richmond,€representing€the€Virginia€School€Board€AssociationÐ l¼ Ð(Ô_ÔVSBAÔ_Ô)€voiced€opposition.Ð X ¨ Ðà  àAfter€alleging€that€the€Service€Dog€would€create€problems€concerning€allergies,€safety,Ð D!” Ðand€could€possible€exhibit€disruptive€behavior,€she€was€quickly€silenced€by€the€members€of€theÐ 0"€  ÐSenate€with€Stuart€taking€particular€umbrage€to€her€remarks.Ð #l! ÐInterventionÐ $X" Ðà  àCole€clarified€that€the€terminology€was€'public€entities'€and€not€'public€accommodations'Ð ô$D # Ðas€Ô_ÔMehfoudÔ_Ô€stated.Ð à%0!$ Ðà  àSen.€Ken€T.€Ô_ÔCuccinelliÔ_Ô,€II,€R€-€37th€District,€asked€a€few€brief€questions€of€Ô_ÔMehfoudÔ_Ô€andÐ Ì&"% Ðconcluded€"you€seem€to€only€have€concerns€relating€to€dogs."Ð ¸'#& Ðà  àStuart€seemed€extremely€offended€and€in€no€uncertain€terms€voiced€his€disdainÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconcerning€her€remarks€about€accommodations€that€had€to€be€made€for€students€with€disabilities.€Ð )à$( ÐHe€said,€"If€public€schools€are€not€places€of€public€accommodation€they€should€be"€and€added,Ð |*Ì%) Ð"It€is€incumbent€upon€us€to€help€them€in€any€way€we€can."Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àSen.€George€L.€Barker,€D€-€39th€District€also€voiced€his€concern€about€the€VirginiaÐ T,¤'+ ÐSchool€Board€Association's€position.Ð @-(, Ðà  àThe€senators'€comments€voiced€agreement€that€burdens€borne€by€the€parents,€family,€andÐ ° Ðchild€with€a€disability€do€not€need€to€be€exacerbated€by€placing€undue€limitations€on€theirÐ œì Ðavenues€of€support€whether€that€is€through€the€use€of€Service€Animals€or€any€other€source.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àExecutive€Director€of€the€Virginia€Board€for€People€with€Disabilities€for€theÐ tÄ ÐCommonwealth€of€Virginia€Heidi€Lawyer€addressed€the€assemblage.€She€stated€"The€schools€areÐ `° Ðdefinitely€covered€under€Title€II€of€the€ADA€and€as€such€have€to€make€reasonableÐ L œ Ðaccommodations€for€people€with€disabilities."Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àSeveral€minutes€later€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214€passed€by€unanimous€vote€of€15€-€0.€According€to€Cole'sÐ $ t ÐLegislative€Assistant€Karen€Ô_ÔStuberÔ_Ô,€they€only€became€aware€of€the€opposition€late€in€afternoonÐ  ` Ðthe€day€before€the€Senate€hearing.€Cole€said,€"Usually€if€a€group€opposes€a€bill€they€will€come€inÐ ü L  Ðto€speak€to€you€beforehand."€Ô_ÔMehfoudÔ_Ô€never€contacted€the€senator€or€the€Delegate.Ð è 8  Ðà  àOn€Feb.€26€the€full€Senate€passed€the€bill€by€unanimous€block€vote€of€uncontested€BillsÐ Ô$  Ðand€it€was€enrolled€on€Feb.€28.€"Basically€it€went€through€unopposed,"€said€Cole.€"Sen.€StuartÐ À  Ðgot€it€through€the€Senate€and€the€administration€supported€it."Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€ò òThe€Next€Stepó óÐ „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Despite€the€bill's€passage,€in€April€the€Ô_ÔHoioosÔ_Ô'€were€still€being€denied€access€by€StaffordÐ tÄ ÐCounty€Schools€based€on€Matt's€Ô_ÔIEPÔ_Ô.Ð `° Ðà  àAccording€to€Cole,€the€state€education€department€will€issue€guidelines€concerningÐ Lœ Ðimplementation€before€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€214€goes€into€effect€on€July€1.€à p à"Hopefully€with€the€governor's€statedÐ 8ˆ Ðsupport€and€the€guidelines€being€issued€it€will€take€care€of€that€problem,"€he€said.Ð $t Ðà  àHowever,€he€conceded€that€sometimes€school€systems€can€be€arrogant€and€obstinate€onÐ ` Ðissues,€saying,€"I€would€not€be€surprised€if€they€had€to€go€to€court€to€force€them€to€comply."Ð üL Ðà  àBut€with€Ô_ÔKaineÔ_Ô's€signature€on€the€law,€Sharon€hopes€to€have€Cal€accompany€Matt€toÐ è8 Ðsummer€school.Ð Ô$ ÐÌò òÔ_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€853€Becomes€Lawó óÐ ¬ü Ðà  àStanding€to€his€left€as€Ô_ÔKaineÔ_Ô€signed€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€853,€Nancy€Ô_ÔHemenwayÔ_Ô€said,€"Virginia€is€theÐ ˜è Ðfirst€state€in€the€country€to€pass€this€type€of€law."€This€law€adds€"individuals€and€persons€who€areÐ „Ô Ðpart€of€a€three-unit€service€dog€team"€and€who€are€conducting€continuing€training€of€guide€dogs,Ð pÀ Ðhearing€dogs,€or€service€dogs€to€the€list€of€persons€entitled€to€the€right€to€be€accompanied€byÐ \ ¬ Ðthose€dogs€in€public€places.Ð H!˜ Ðà  àDel.€Adam€P.€Ô_ÔEbbinÔ_Ô,€D€-€49€District,€Arlington,€introduced€the€legislation€on€behalf€of€hisÐ 4"„  Ðconstituents€Nancy€and€David€Ô_ÔHemenwayÔ_Ô.Ð  #p! Ðà  àThe€couple's€8€year€old€daughter€Ô_ÔRebekahÔ_Ô€suffers€from€a€number€of€Post€Traumatic€StressÐ  $\" ÐDisorder€(PTSD)€concerns.€€Both€husband€and€wife€wanted€the€right€to€take€their€daughter's€4Ð ø$H # ÐPaws€for€Ability€Service€Dog€Ô_ÔGrizwaldÔ_Ô€out€without€Ô_ÔRebekahÔ_Ô€in€order€ensure€that€the€dogÐ ä%4!$ Ðmaintained€his€full€capabilities.€€The€couple's€12€year€old€daughter€Ô_ÔZoÔ_Ô€accompanied€them€to€theÐ Ð& "% Ðsigning€ceremony.Ð ¼' #& Ðà  àPassage€of€the€legislation€allows€any€individual€member€of€a€3€unit€Service€Dog€Team€theÐ ¨(ø#' Ðsame€access€given€to€the€team€as€a€whole.Ð ”)ä$( Ðò òÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€Unexpected€Bonusó óÐ l+¼&* Ðà  àAlthough€the€main€goal€of€the€Ô_ÔHoioosÔ_Ô€was€to€gain€access€to€the€classroom€for€Cal,Ð X,¨'+ Ðpassage€of€Ô_ÔH.B.Ô_Ô€853€will€hopefully€solve€another€problem.€Sharon€has€not€even€been€allowed€toÐ D-”(, Ðbring€Cal€to€the€school€when€she€goes€to€pick€up€Matt.Ð ° ÐÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔTribute€to€Dr.€Chris€Bransonó ó€Ô#†Xú,X BA€?#ÔÐ tÄ ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€On€December€3,€2007€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€lost€a€former€board€member€and€advocate€for€the€right€ofÐ   ð Ðpeople€with€disabilities€to€be€accompanied€in€the€workplace€by€their€assistance€dogs.€€Ð Œ Ü Ѐ€€€€€€After€obtaining€her€medical€degree€at€Northwestern€University,€Dr.€Chris€Branson€wasÐ x È Ðemployed€at€Lakeside€Veteran's€Hospital€in€Chicago.€After€several€years€on€the€job,€Chris€wasÐ d ´ Ðparalyzed€in€a€horseback€riding€accident.€€Continuing€her€employment€at€the€hospital€as€a€staffÐ P    Ðphysician,€she€began€having€upper€body€strength€problems€and€decided€to€partner€with€a€serviceÐ <Œ  Ðdog€from€Paws€With€A€Cause.Ð (x  Ѐ€€€€€€When€Chris€notified€the€hospital€administration€about€her€decision€to€work€with€a€canineÐ d  Ðassistant,€the€response€was€an€emphatic€denial.€€Unwilling€to€accept€this€outrageous€position,Ð P  Ðshe€hired€an€attorney€who€brought€suit€on€her€behalf€against€the€hospital€administration.€Ð ì<  ÐAlthough€it€took€more€than€two€years,€Chris€had€her€day€in€court€and€was€vindicated€when€a€juryÐ Ø( Ðawarded€her€a€large€sum€and€all€legal€fees.€€Furthermore,€the€federal€judge€hearing€the€case€ruledÐ Ä Ðthat€the€hospital€had€to€admit€Chris€and€her€yellow€Labrador€Retriever€service€dog€Nolan.€€ThisÐ ° Ðwas€a€landmark€case€since€it€was€argued€in€a€federal€court,€rather€than€being€settled€throughÐ œì Ðnegotiations€or€mediation.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€supported€Chris€during€her€long€legal€battle.€€After€the€case€was€decided,€she€joinedÐ tÄ Ðthe€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€board€and€took€on€the€role€of€secretary.€€Shortly€after€training€with€Nolan's€successor,Ð `° Ða€service€dog€named€Data,€Chris€had€a€massive€stroke€causing€her€to€retire€from€work€and€fromÐ Lœ Ðthe€board.€€Data€was€subsequently€adopted€by€the€attorney€who€favorably€argued€her€case.€€€€€€Ð 8ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€It€is€always€difficult€to€say€goodbye€to€an€advocate€who€would€not€be€intimidated€by€aÐ $t Ðmassive€federal€bureaucracy€unwilling€to€follow€the€law.€€Quiet€and€unassuming,€Chris€had€theÐ ` Ðinner€strength€and€tenacity€to€persevere€against€tremendous€odds.€€Well€done,€Chris.€€We€willÐ üL Ðmiss€you!€Ð è8 ÐÌÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔA€Tail€To€Telló óÔ#†Xú,X BAâI#ÔÐ ˜!è ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Toni€and€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_ԀР¾#! ÐÌ€€€€€€€Lots€of€exciting€things€have€happened€for€us€and€for€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€during€the€time€covered€by€thisÐ –%æ # Ðcolumn!€Ð ‚&Ò!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€Under€Fort€Dodge€Animal€Health€sponsorship,€we€attended€the€North€American€VeterinaryÐ n'¾"% ÐConference€(Ô_ÔNAVCÔ_Ô)€in€Orlando€during€January.€€Fellow€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Board€Member€and€DatabaseÐ Z(ª#& ÐManager€Tanya€Ô_ÔEversoleÔ_Ô€and€her€Labrador€Retriever€service€dog€Brooke€were€able€to€join€usÐ F)–$' Ðand€our€Golden€Retriever€guide€dogs€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔLatrellÔ_Ô.€€After€meeting€with€top€officials€ofÐ 2*‚%( ÐHills'€Pet€Nutrition,€the€company€became€the€seventh€sponsor€of€the€Veterinary€CareÐ +n&) ÐPartnership€program.€€One€of€the€results€of€meeting€with€the€CEO€of€Ô_ÔBanfieldÔ_Ô,€The€Pet€Hospital,Ð  ,Z'* Ðis€that€this€issue€of€Partners'€Forum€is€co-sponsored€by€them.€€It€was€also€rewarding€to€meetÐ ö,F(+ Ðwith€the€CEO€and€other€leaders€of€Bayer€Animal€Health,€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô'S€first€corporate€supporter,€andÐ â-2), Ðreceive€encouragement€and€commitments€for€increasing€support€from€them.€€As€you€can€wellÐ ° Ðimagine,€the€three€of€us€were€glowing€with€the€success€of€our€mission€in€Orlando!Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€€€€One€of€the€fun€activities€at€Ô_ÔNAVCÔ_Ô€IS€investigating€the€exhibit€hall.€€As€we€walked€downÐ ˆØ Ðone€aisle,€Joyce€Holt€from€Sound€Technologies€approached€us€with€the€request€to€borrow€one€ofÐ tÄ Ðour€dogs€€to€demonstrate€HER€portable€ultrasound€machine!€€Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔLatrellÔ_Ô€was€the€perfect€candidate,€since€he€loves€lying€on€his€back€with€paws€waving€in€theÐ L œ Ðair.€€After€having€his€harness€removed,€he€became€the€poster€child€for€this€new€piece€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðtechnology.€€As€the€necessary€Ô_ÔgoompÔ_Ô€was€rubbed€into€his€belly,€Ô_ÔLatrellÔ_Ô€obligingly€lay€on€his€backÐ $ t Ðand€let€the€good€times€roll!€€Fortunately,€no€abnormalities€were€discovered€and€for€the€rest€ofÐ  ` Ðthe€CONFERENCE,€hundreds€of€veterinarians€got€to€see€his€innards!€Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€€€On€returning€home,€we€received€a€call€asking€if€we€would€be€at€the€next€big€veterinaryÐ è 8  Ðmeeting€in€Las€Vegas.€€Seems€the€crowd€Ô_ÔLatrellÔ_Ô€drew€to€the€Sound€Technologies€booth€gaveÐ Ô$  Ðthem€the€great€idea€of€doing€demonstrations€twice€a€day€during€the€three€days€of€the€WesternÐ À  ÐVeterinary€Conference!€€Since€we€were€not€planning€to€attend,€we€provided€the€names€of€severalÐ ¬ü  ÐLas€Vegas€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members,€three€of€whom€were€delighted€to€have€their€dogs€assume€the€roleÐ ˜è  Ðpioneered€by€Ô_ÔLatrellÔ_Ô!€€Ð „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€€During€Ô_ÔNAVCÔ_Ô,€we€attended€a€session€on€the€human€animal€bond€and€a€lecture€and€receptionÐ pÀ Ðin€the€evening€for€Aaron€Catcher,€one€of€the€first€psychiatrists€to€scientifically€prove€the€power€ofÐ \¬ Ðpets€on€people.€€During€the€session€a€question€was€raised€about€veterinarians€providingÐ H˜ Ðdiscounted€fees€to€disabled€clients€partnered€with€assistance€dogs.€€We€were€delighted€when€theÐ 4„ Ðfirst€panelist€to€address€the€question€stated€the€two€experts€in€this€area,€Toni€and€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô,€wereÐ  p Ðin€the€audience€and€could€best€answer€the€question!Ð  \ Ѐ€€€€€€€Dr.€Barbara€Eves,€our€contact€at€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€Laboratories,€co-sponsors€of€this€issue,€joined€usÐ øH Ðfor€dinner€at€our€hotel.€€€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€has€been€so€good€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô,€and€it€is€their€staff€whoÐ ä4 Ðadminister€Ô_ÔVCPÔ_Ô.Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€€Leaving€Ô_ÔNAVCÔ_Ô,€Tanya€drove€us€to€the€University€of€Florida€vet€school€in€Gainesville€whereÐ ¼  Ðwe€had€a€great€time€with€the€students€at€our€presentation.€€Ð ¨ø Ѐ€€€€€€€It€was€hard€saying€goodbye€to€Tanya€after€such€a€wonderful€week€together.€€We've€been€toÐ ”ä Ðmany€veterinary€conferences€without€a€sighted€companion,€but€having€her€with€us€made€thingsÐ €Ð Ðgo€much€more€smoothly!€€As€a€fellow€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€board€member,€we€acted€as€a€team€of€three€andÐ l¼ Ðwere€able€to€present€our€ideas€to€the€sponsors€collectively.€€And,€the€Ô_ÔGoldensÔ_Ô€love€having€theirÐ X ¨ ÐLabrador€cousin€around€to€round€out€their€wrestling€matches!Ð D!” Ѐ€€€€€€€€Since€March€1€is€the€fourth€anniversary€of€the€partnership€between€Toni€and€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô,Ð 0"€  ÐEmily€Simone,€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind's€field€manager€for€this€area,€got€together€with€us€for€aÐ #l! Ðfollow€up€visit.€€One€of€the€springtime€strolls€we€particularly€enjoy€is€walking€north€on€Ô_ÔWishonÔ_Ô,Ð $X" Ðthe€street€on€which€our€town€house€is€located,€€for€about€a€mile€before€turning€around€toÐ ô$D # Ðreturn€home.€€The€problem€with€this€walk€is€there€are€no€sidewalks,€lots€of€small€quiet€side€roadsÐ à%0!$ Ðand€Ô_ÔWishonÔ_Ô€is€a€wide€street€with€very€little€traffic.€€The€dogs€have€to€maintain€their€line€on€theÐ Ì&"% Ðleft€side€of€the€road€so€oncoming€traffic€can€see€us.€€Occasionally,€without€our€realizing€it,€theÐ ¸'#& Ðdogs€drift€away€from€their€left€shoulder€position.€€We€worked€with€Emily€and€she€returned€in€aÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfew€weeks€to€reinforce€their€training,€so€we€can€safely€do€this€walk€on€our€own.€€In€addition,€sheÐ )à$( Ðhung€a€battery€operated€remote€control€bell€on€a€light€pole€about€half€a€mile€north,€so€when€weÐ |*Ì%) Ðapproach€it€and€Toni€presses€the€hand€held€mechanism€that€triggers€the€bell€ringing,€we€knowÐ h+¸&* Ðexactly€where€we€are€on€the€walk.€€Technology€is€really€great!€€Ð T,¤'+ Ѐ€€€€€€€€In€the€middle€of€March€we€resumed€our€lecturing€activities€by€speaking€at€a€nationalÐ @-(, Ðstudent€veterinary€symposium€at€Auburn€and€Ô_ÔTuskegeeÔ_Ô.€€At€the€student€€symposium,€we€attendedÐ ° Ðsessions€describing€a€typical€night€treating€cases€at€a€veterinary€emergency€room,€working€in€aÐ œì Ðwildlife€preservation€setting€and€caring€for€exotic€animals€employed€in€making€HollywoodÐ ˆØ Ðmovies.€€€Critters€this€vet€cared€for€varied€from€snakes€to€camels€to€bears€to€lions€and€tigers.€€HisÐ tÄ Ðfascinating€description€of€helping€in€the€birth€of€a€camel€and€working€to€imprint€human€handlingÐ `° Ðand€familiarity€during€the€first€72€hours€after€birth€was€only€surpassed€by€the€description€ofÐ L œ Ðgetting€an€endoscopy€tube€into€a€20€foot€coiled€snake.€€Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€€We€had€lunch€with€John€Ô_ÔSaidlaÔ_Ô,€who€just€retired€as€director€of€the€Auburn€VeterinaryÐ $ t ÐTeaching€Hospital.€€It€was€John€who€established€a€no€fee€policy€at€the€hospital€for€assistance€dogÐ  ` Ðpartners.€€Following€lunch,€we€did€four€hours€of€presentations€and€completed€the€day€byÐ ü L  Ðattending€a€banquet€dinner.€€€Ð è 8  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Our€lunch€presentation€at€the€University€of€Georgia€following€the€Symposium€went€wellÐ Ô$  Ðand€we€were€delighted€to€meet€a€couple€of€vet€students€who€had€been€puppy€raisers€for€guide€dogÐ À  Ðschools.€€Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ed€has€been€involved€in€a€number€of€legal€issues€over€the€years€as€an€advocate€for€peopleÐ ˜è  Ðwith€assistance€dogs.€€Usually€these€access€denials€are€settled€before€going€to€court,€but€one€caseÐ „Ô  Ðthat€seems€destined€for€the€legal€arena€involves€a€service€dog€partner€who€owns€a€condominiumÐ pÀ Ðin€Florida.€€The€condo€board€has€not€only€said€no€pets,€but€more€recently€has€established€a€policyÐ \¬ Ðof€no€animals€on€the€grounds!€€That€must€include€raccoons€and€squirrels,€as€well€as€dogs€andÐ H˜ Ðcats!€€Anyway,€Ed€was€deposed€as€an€expert€witness€on€March€28.€€When€the€deposing€attorneyÐ 4„ Ðasked€if€Ed€thought€the€condo€board€was€acting€unreasonably€by€denying€the€condo€owner€theÐ  p Ðright€to€have€his€service€dog€in€his€apartment,€Ed€quietly€said€yes,€he€believed€they€did€actÐ  \ Ðunreasonably.€€He€really€wanted€to€say€that€they€were€acting€like€a€bunch€of€idiots!€€Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€€€On€April€2€we€took€off€on€a€multi-city€adventure.€€€Vicki€Thorp,€a€travel€agent€we€met€at€aÐ ä4 Ðconference€several€years€ago,€was€our€hostess€for€the€first€night.€€€Vicki€arranged€for€us€to€speakÐ Ð  Ðto€a€Denver-based€group€of€puppy€raisers€and€assistance€dog€partners€in€the€evening.€€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€Vicki€told€us€the€next€morning€it€had€snowed€a€bit€during€the€night,€but€by€the€time€we€gotÐ ¨ø Ðin€the€car€for€the€trip€to€Windsor,€the€snow€had€stopped€and€we€didn't€get€wet€from€the€drizzleÐ ”ä Ðthat€replaced€it.€€Vicki€dropped€us€off€at€the€office€of€Dr.€Robin€Downing,€the€veterinarianÐ €Ð Ðworking€with€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€to€distribute€the€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€medication,€Sentinel€Flavor€Tabs.€€Having€readÐ l¼ Ðabout€under€water€treadmills€for€helping€dogs€and€cats€recover€from€surgery€and€exercise€arthriticÐ X ¨ Ðlimbs,€we€were€thrilled€to€get€a€tactile€glimpse€of€one€at€Robin's€hospital.€€After€a€lovelyÐ D!” ÐHawaiian€lunch€with€Robin€and€her€life€partner€Sharon,€it€was€off€to€a€presentation€at€ColoradoÐ 0"€  ÐState.€€Ð #l! Ѐ€€€€€€€€In€January€at€the€veterinary€conference€in€Orlando,€we€met€Nicole€Ô_ÔEhrhartÔ_Ô,€a€surgeon€atÐ $X" ÐColorado€State€and€a€puppy€raiser€for€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind.€€Nicole€drove€us€to€the€DenverÐ ô$D # Ðairport€the€next€day€to€catch€a€flight€to€Washington,€D.C.€where€€we€visited€several€friends€andÐ à%0!$ Ðmet€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€€member€Cara€Miller,€a€deaf€graduate€student€at€Ô_ÔGalaudettÔ_Ô€University€partnered€withÐ Ì&"% ÐLabrador€Retriever€hearing€dog€Maya.€€As€an€excellent€speech€reader,€the€conversation€flowed,Ð ¸'#& Ðand€we€spent€hours€getting€to€know€one€another.€€€€€€Ð ¤(ô#' Ѐ€€€€€€€Then€it€was€off€to€the€Dulles€airport€for€a€quick€flight€to€Buffalo.€€Don€and€CarolÐ )à$( ÐFleischman€were€our€hosts€for€the€next€few€days.€€AS€we€approached€their€Niagara€Falls€home,Ð |*Ì%) ÐÔ_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€sat€up€in€the€car€in€recognition€of€her€play€date€with€Carol's€Labrador€guide€dog€Nadine.€€Ð h+¸&* Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Carol€stayed€home€Thursday€morning,€while€Don€drove€the€150€miles€to€Ithaca,€the€homeÐ T,¤'+ Ðof€Cornell€University.€With€the€entire€first€year€class€of€85€enthusiastic€veterinary€students€in€theÐ @-(, Ðaudience,€we€spent€an€exhilarating€two€hours€describing€preferred€patterns€of€interaction€withÐ ° Ðdisabled€clients.€€Between€that€lecture€and€our€evening€presentation,€we€met€with€the€dean€toÐ œì Ðdiscuss€issues€related€to€disabled€applicants€seeking€admission€to€the€vet€school.€€In€the€eveningÐ ˆØ Ðwe€spoke€with€students,€faculty€and€a€few€Guiding€Eyes€puppy€raisers.Ð tÄ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€When€you€read€our€next€column,€we'll€be€sharing€the€excitingÐ `° Ðevents€at€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€London€conference!Ð L œ ÐÌToni€and€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô€can€be€contacted€at€3376€North€Ô_ÔWishonÔ_Ô,€Fresno,Ð $ t ÐCA€93704-4832;€Tel.€559€-€224-0544;€e-mail€eeames@csufresno.edu.€Ð  ` ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔSentinelðð€€Distribution€for€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôó óÔ#†Xú,X BAL|#ÔÐ À  ÐÌby€Dr.€Robin€DowningÐ æ6  ÐÌÌ€€€€€€€Beginning€in€2006,€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€Animal€Health€made€a€very€generous€in-kind€grant€to€theÐ ªú ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô.€€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€manufactures€Sentinelðð,the€once-per-month€anti-parasite€medication€for€dogs.€Ð –æ ÐTheir€in-kind€grant€was€designed€to€provide€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€working€dogs€with€protection€fromÐ ‚Ò ÐÔ_ÔheartwormsÔ_Ô,€intestinal€parasites,€and€fleas.€This€grant,€however,€came€to€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€with€aÐ n¾ Ð"catch".Ð Zª Ѐ€€€€€€€Sentinelðð€is€a€prescription€pharmaceutical€agent,€and€as€such€falls€under€the€rules€andÐ F– Ðregulations€of€the€Food€and€Drug€Administration€(FDA).€€The€FDA€has€quite€specificÐ 2‚ Ðrequirements€for€the€distribution€of€prescription€medications€-€-€one€of€which€is€the€existence€of€aÐ n Ðdoctor-patient€relationship€-€-€in€this€case,€a€veterinarian-client-pet€relationship.€€This€Ð  Z Ðrequirement€prohibits€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€from€sending€SentinelÔ_Ô(r)Ô_Ô€directly€to€the€end-consumer€-€-€theÐ öF ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member.Ð â2 Ѐ€€€€€€€I€have€had€the€pleasure€of€serving€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€for€several€years€in€an€advisory€capacity,€butÐ Î Ðhave€wondered€what€I€might€be€able€to€do€in€a€more€active€capacity.€€When€this€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€grantÐ º  Ðbecame€a€reality,€the€answer€to€my€question€emerged.€€Here€was€Sentinelðð€awaiting€distributionÐ ¦ ö Ðto€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€in€the€USA,€but€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€had€no€way€to€get€it€into€the€hands€of€the€intendedÐ ’!â Ðrecipients.Ð ~"Î  Ѐ€€€€€€€By€thinking€creatively,€we€were€able€to€devise€a€way€to€"bend"€the€veterinarian-client-petÐ j#º! Ðrelationship€requirement€just€a€bit.€€I€agreed€to€allow€my€veterinary€hospital,€Windsor€VeterinaryÐ V$¦" ÐClinic,€PC,€to€serve€as€the€conduit€through€which€the€Sentinelðð€would€find€its€way€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_ÔÐ B%’ # Ðmembers.€€I€agreed€to€act€as€the€veterinarian€of€record€for€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€in€order€to€satisfy€the€FDA.€Ð .&~!$ ÐAnd€I€devised€a€method€for€documenting€that€the€Sentinelðð€€was€being€prescribed€for€theÐ 'j"% Ðassistance€dogs€by€a€primary€care€veterinarian.Ð (V#& Ѐ€€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€who€have€taken€advantage€of€the€Sentinelðð€distribution€program€knowÐ ò(B$' Ðthat€they€have€had€to€take€a€few€steps€in€order€to€have€Sentinelðð€sent€to€them.€€I€created€a€formÐ Þ).%( Ðthat€serves€to€document€several€key€pieces€of€information:Ð Ê*&) Ѐ€€€€1.€€€The€individual€receiving€the€Sentinelðð€is€an€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€memberÐ ¶+'* Ѐ€€€€2.€€€The€assistance€dog€has€a€relationship€with€a€primary€care€veterinarianÐ ¢,ò'+ Ѐ€€€€3.€€€The€veterinarian€has€performed€a€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€test€with€a€negative€result€within€the€pastÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðtwelve€months.Ð ° ÐÌ€€€€€€€To€summarize€how€the€process€works,€the€first€step€is€for€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member€to€acquire€theÐ ˆØ Ðrequest€form.€€The€form€is€completed€with€the€requested€information€including€details€like:Ð tÄ Ѐ€€€€1.€€€The€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member's€ID€numberÐ `° Ѐ€€€€2.€€€The€name,€address,€and€phone€number€of€the€memberÐ L œ Ѐ€€€€3.€€€The€name,€address€and€phone€number€of€the€primary€careÐ 8 ˆ ÐveterinarianÐ $ t Ѐ€€€€4.€€€Details€about€the€assistance€dog,€including€weightÐ  ` Ѐ€€€€5.€€€Verification€by€the€primary€care€veterinarian€of€a€negative€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€test€within€the€pastÐ ü L  Ðtwelve€monthsÐ è 8  Ѐ€€€€6.€€€The€signature€of€the€primary€care€veterinarian€verifying€the€request€for€Sentinelðð€for€theÐ Ô$  Ðassistance€dog.Ð À  ÐÌ€€€€€€€The€form€is€then€faxed€or€mailed€to€Windsor€Veterinary€Clinic.€€Once€we€verify€theÐ ˜è  Ðinformation€is€complete,€we€package€and€send€the€Sentinelðð.€€This€document€creates€a€"paperÐ „Ô  Ðtrail"€to€support€the€appropriate€use€of€Sentinelðð€€in€these€important€dogs.€€This€system€satisfiedÐ pÀ Ðthe€decision-makers€at€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€Animal€Health,€and€the€product€was€shipped€to€my€clinic.€€Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€€€Once€the€Sentinelðð€was€at€Windsor€Veterinary€Clinic,€it€was€time€to€take€the€next€step€inÐ H˜ Ðdistribution€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members.€€It€remains€my€responsibility€to€ensure€that€all€theÐ 4„ Ðveterinarian-client-pet€relationship€requirements€are€in€place,€and€the€assistance€dog€has€a€currentÐ  p Ðnegative€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€test.€€But€I€could€not€complete€the€distribution€of€SentinelÔ_Ô(r)Ô_Ô€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_ÔÐ  \ Ðmembers€without€the€key€activities€of€two€members€of€my€veterinary€health€care€team.Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€€Shawnee€Ô_ÔUranoÔ_Ô,€one€of€our€Client€Care€Specialists,€receives€the€faxed€and€mailed€Sentinelðð€Ð ä4 Ðrequest€forms.€€She€ensures€all€the€required€information€is€complete.€€If€it€is€not,€(which€happensÐ Ð  Ðsurprisingly€often),€she€takes€the€necessary€steps€to€gather€any€missing€data.€€Once€the€forms€areÐ ¼  Ðcomplete,€Shawnee€passes€them€on€to€me.€€I€review€the€document,€determine€the€size€ofÐ ¨ø ÐSentinelðð€€that€will€be€sent,€and€then€I€hand€off€the€requests€to€Melissa€King,€one€of€ourÐ ”ä Ðveterinary€assistants.€€Melissa€volunteered€to€be€the€one€to€assemble€the€Sentinelðð€and€aÐ €Ð Ðletter€from€me€into€packages€that€our€clinic€mails€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members.Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€€The€veterinary€health€care€team€at€Windsor€Veterinary€Clinic,€PC€takes€great€pride€inÐ X ¨ Ðhelping€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€assistance€dogs€enjoy€enhanced€health€through€protection€against€the€mostÐ D!” Ðimportant€canine€parasites.€€It€is€a€treat€to€read€the€cards€and€letters€that€arrive€to€thank€us€forÐ 0"€  Ðproviding€a€way€for€Sentinelðð€€to€end€up€in€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members'€mailboxes.Ð #l! Ѐ€€€€€€€€Of€course,€none€of€this€would€be€possible€without€the€generous€action€of€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€AnimalÐ $X" ÐHealth€to€provide€Sentinelðð€for€distribution€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€in€the€USA.€€In€fact,€this€in-kindÐ ô$D # Ðgrant€was€just€renewed,€and€we€recently€received€a€shipment.€€It€has€been€a€pleasure€to€work€withÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€folks€at€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€Animal€Health.€€They€have€"walked€their€talk"€in€supporting€enhancedÐ Ì&"% Ðprotection€of€guide,€hearing€and€service€dogs€against€parasites€that€can,€at€the€very€least,Ð ¸'#& Ðcompromise€life-quality,€and€at€the€worst€shorten€life€expectancy.Ð ¤(ô#' Ѐ€€€€€€€Thanks,€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô!Ð )à$( ЀÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔGrant€Request€Deadline€Reminder!ó óÔ#†Xú,X BA›#ÔÐ T,¤'+ ÐÐ Ž-Þ(, Ѐ€€€€€€€€Just€a€reminder€the€deadline€for€submitting€your€application€for€the€Royal€Ô_ÔCaninÔ_Ô€USA€grantÐ ° Ðinvolving€their€veterinary€diets,€formulated€to€help€our€canine€partners€challenged€by€aller-Ô_ÔgiesÔ_Ô,Ð œì Ðdigestive€or€other€Ô_ÔmediÔ_Ô-cal€problems€is€July€30,€2008.€€€Royal€Ô_ÔCaninÔ_Ô€USA€has€made€a€grant€toÐ ˆØ Ðsubsidize€veterinary€diets€for€Ô_ÔindividuÔ_Ô-Ô_ÔalsÔ_Ô€who€show€financial€need.€If€you€would€like€to€applyÐ tÄ Ðfor€a€grant,€please€provide€the€following€information,€and€you€will€be€notified€if€you€are€inÐ `° Ðreceipt€of€a€financial€grant.€Each€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€member€who€qualifies€is€only€eligible€for€one€grant€perÐ L œ Ðcalendar€year.Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  à€Ð $ t ÐÌRoyal€Ô_ÔCaninÔ_Ô€USA€Veterinary€Diet€Grant€RequestÐ ü L  ÐÌName€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ Ô$  ÐAddress€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ À  ÐPhone€Number€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ¬ü  ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Member€Identification€Number€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ˜è  ÐName€and€breed€of€assistance€dog€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ „Ô  ÐMy€dog€is€a:€__guide€__hearing€__service€dogÐ pÀ ÐVeterinarianððs€Nameòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ \¬ ÐVeterinarianððs€Address€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ H˜ ÐVeterinarianððs€Phone€Number€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ 4„ ÐType€of€Royal€Ô_ÔCaninÔ_Ô€Veterinary€diet€and€health€issueòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ  p Ðòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ  \ ÐHow€long€has€your€dog€been€eating€this€food?òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ øH ÐPlease€send€copies€of€sales€receipts€for€your€last€two€Ô_ÔpurÔ_Ô-chases€of€Royal€Ô_ÔCaninÔ_Ô€Veterinary€DietÐ ä4 ÐÌSignature€of€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€partner€member€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óó€Ð ¼  ÐÌPlease€send€to€Tanya€Ô_ÔEversoleÔ_Ô,€P.O.€Box€531086,€Ô_ÔCincinÔ_Ô-Ô_ÔnatiÔ_Ô,€OH€45253Ð ”ä ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÔ_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€Saga€Continuesó óÔ#†Xú,X BAó§#ÔÐ D!” ÐÌby€Nancy€CaveÐ j#º! ÐÌÌ€€€€€€€As€most€of€you€may€remember,€my€son,€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€and€his€hearing€dog€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€were€denied€access€toÐ .&~!$ ÐÔ_ÔJTÔ_Ô's€high€school€beginning€in€December€of€2006€and€continuing€to-date.€We€filed€a€federal€lawÐ 'j"% Ðsuit€against€the€school€district€in€February,€2007€after€a€huge€media€blitz€failed€to€bring€theÐ (V#& Ðdistrict€in€line€with€federal€and€state€laws€regarding€assistance€dog€access.€Following€a€more€thanÐ ò(B$' Ðweek€long€hearing€to€gain€injunctive€relief,€Federal€Judge€Arthur€Ô_ÔSpattÔ_Ô€basically€threw€out€theÐ Þ).%( ÐADA,€misinterpreted€the€New€York€State€Department€of€Human€Rights€(Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô)€regulations,Ð Ê*&) Ðredefined€the€state€Civil€Rights€law€by€stating€that€a€classroom€is€not€a€public€place€(the€lawÐ ¶+'* Ðstates€otherwise)€and€informed€us€that€we€had€not€exhausted€our€administrative€remedies€underÐ ¢,ò'+ ÐIDEA.€The€2òòndóó€Circuit€Federal€Court€of€Appeals€threw€out€Judge€Ô_ÔSpattÔ_Ô's€decision,€stated€that€aÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðschool€district€must€consider€an€assistance€€dog€under€IDEA€(this€is€an€educational€law)€andÐ ° Ðinformed€us€that€all€of€our€protection€was€under€New€York€state€law€and€that€we€should€goÐ œì Ðdirectly€to€state€court.€They€dismissed€our€case€without€prejudice.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€€While€all€of€this€federal€litigation€was€unfolding,€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€began€an€investigation€ofÐ tÄ Ðthe€school€district€for€violation€of€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€regulations.€A€three€day€hearing€was€held€inÐ `° ÐOctober€and€November,€2007.€In€March,€2008,€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€ruled€that€the€school€district€wasÐ L œ Ðin€violation€of€several€regulations€and€ordered€that€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€be€allowed€to€accompany€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€to€school.Ð 8 ˆ ÐThe€district€once€again€denied€access€to€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€accompanied€by€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€and€appealed€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_ÔÐ $ t Ðruling.€However,€the€pertinent€fact€here€is€that€they€denied€access€prior€to€filing€their€appeal.Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€€€Also€going€on€throughout€the€various€litigation€was€a€push€in€Albany€to€"clarify"€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_ÔÐ ü L  ÐÔ_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€regulations€and€efforts€to€pass€a€penal€law€with€regard€to€interfering€with€assistance€dogs.Ð è 8  ÐThe€"clarified"€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€regulations€and€the€penal€law€both€passed€over€the€summer€of€2007.Ð Ô$  ÐÔ_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€regulations€took€effect€on€October€3,€2007€and€the€penal€law€on€November€1,€2007.Ð À  ÐIn€spite€of€this€overwhelming€legal€and€legislative€support,€the€school€district€continues€to€denyÐ ¬ü  Ðaccess€to€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€accompanied€by€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô.€The€school€district's€appeal€of€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€ruling€isÐ ˜è  Ðpending.€€Unfortunately,€the€Nassau€County€District€Attorney€seems€to€have€some€questionÐ „Ô  Ðregarding€the€"intent"€of€the€penal€law€and€has€made€no€move€to€enforce€the€criminal€aspects€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€denial€of€access.Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€€€After€a€great€deal€of€discussion€with€our€attorney€and€even€more€soul€searching,€we€finallyÐ H˜ Ðmade€the€decision€to€file€yet€another€law€suit€against€the€school€district€in€state€court.€This€wasÐ 4„ Ðdone€in€early€May.€€We€are€once€again€requesting€injunctive€relief€and€filing€suit€forÐ  p Ðdiscrimination€under€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€regulations€and€the€Ô_ÔNYSÔ_Ô€Civil€Rights€Laws.€Of€course,€theÐ  \ Ðabsolute€irony€of€this€is€that€there€are€assistance€dogs€in€schools€with€both€adults€and€studentsÐ øH Ðacross€the€country€-€including€in€New€York€state.€There€are€quite€a€number€of€schoolÐ ä4 Ðdistricts€right€here€on€Long€Island€that€have€had€or€currently€have€assistance€dogs€in€theirÐ Ð  Ðschools.€It€makes€one€wonder€why€the€East€Meadow€School€District€administrators,€schoolÐ ¼  Ðboard,€lawyers€and€insurance€company€believe€they€are€so€completely€above€the€law€that€they€canÐ ¨ø Ðcontinue€their€blatant€defiance,€all€the€while€throwing€away€hundreds€of€thousands€of€tax€payerÐ ”ä Ðdollars€and€publicly€ridiculing€the€efforts€of€a€disabled€teenage€boy€to€overcome€the€limits€of€hisÐ €Ð Ðdisability€and€exert€his€right€to€independence€by€utilizing€a€hearing€dog.Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€€Some€people€have€said€that€we€have€taken€legal€action,€not€in€an€effort€to€protect€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô's€rights,Ð X ¨ Ðbut€in€anticipation€of€a€large€"pay€day".€€Ignorance€is€a€terrible€waste€of€brain€power.€€WeÐ D!” Ðdiscovered€that€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€was€deaf€when€he€was€three€years€old,€after€spending€two€years€being€told€byÐ 0"€  Ðmedical€and€educational€"experts"€that€he€was€1)€speech€delayed€2)€learning€disabled€3)Ð #l! Ðcognitively€delayed€(mentally€retarded).€€Since€then,€we€have€worked€diligently€to€provide€himÐ $X" Ðwith€every€possible€educational€accommodation€and€independent€life€tool€available€to€him€at€ageÐ ô$D # Ðappropriate€milestones.€And€invariably,€we€have€had€to€battle€the€school€district€every€step€of€theÐ à%0!$ Ðway.€We€have€always€had€the€same€developmental€expectations€of€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€that€we€have€had€for€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðtwin€sister€and€older€brother,€in€spite€of€his€disability.€€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€has€never€let€us€down.€He€thrives€onÐ ¸'#& Ðbeing€as€independent€as€his€peers.€He€fights€the€limitations€of€his€disability€every€day,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðstubbornly€advocates€for€himself€and€has€overcome€obstacles€with€a€determination€not€found€inÐ )à$( Ðmost€adults.€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€chose€this€battle€and€this€battleground€because€he€refuses€to€allow€ignorant,Ð |*Ì%) Ðspiteful€administrators€to€trample€his€ability€to€achieve€his€full€potential€of€independence.€If€inÐ h+¸&* Ðfighting€this€battle€he€is€able€to€save€just€one€other€person€from€facing€such€blatantÐ T,¤'+ Ðdiscrimination,€it€will€make€his€ultimate€victory€worthwhile.Ð @-(, Ѐ€€€€€€€The€fight€for€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€has€taken€a€terrible€toll€on€our€family.€Our€frustration€over€the€slowÐ ° Ðmoving€wheels€of€justice€is€so€over€the€top€that€it's€probably€hanging€out€with€space€debris€at€thisÐ œì Ðpoint.€While€we€have€enjoyed€overwhelming€support€in€our€community,€the€children€areÐ ˆØ Ðconstantly€in€the€public€eye€and€every€move€they€make€is€judged€by€the€few€who€take€their€rightsÐ tÄ Ðfor€granted€or€who€believe€that€all€disabled€children€should€be€segregated€into€"special"€schools.Ð `° ÐVindictive€behavior€by€a€few€can€often€outweigh€the€unconditional€support€of€the€majority.€TheÐ L œ Ðemotional€trauma€and€mental€distress€from€this€exhaustive€battle€have€literally€torn€our€familyÐ 8 ˆ Ðapart.€Faced€with€the€constant€upheaval,€emotional€stress€and€never€ending€public€scrutiny,€myÐ $ t Ðmarriage€has€suffered€irreparable€damage.Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€€For€those€who€question€our€actions,€I€can€tell€you€that€there€is€no€amount€of€money€that€canÐ ü L  Ðever€repay€what€our€family€has€gone€through€in€order€to€protect€the€rights€of€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€and€his€everÐ è 8  Ðdevoted€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô.€The€day€that€Ô_ÔJTÔ_Ô€is€able€to€enter€Ô_ÔW.T.Ô_Ô€Clarke€High€School€with€Ô_ÔSimbaÔ_Ô€at€his€sideÐ Ô$  Ðwill€make€the€battle€worthwhile.€However,€nothing€will€ever€repair€the€damage€that€has€beenÐ À  Ðsuffered€from€"fighting€the€good€fight".Ð ¬ü  Ѐ̀ÌÌò òÔ‡ BAXXú,ÔÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Rule€AGAINST€Contact€with€Benefactors!ó óÔ#†Xú,X BA€Ë#ÔÐ \¬ ÐÌ€ÌPlease€realize€that€most€of€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€benefits€require€your€Veterinarian€to€contact€the€company.€Ð n¾ ÐIt€is€NEVER€appropriate€for€you€to€call€one€of€our€benefactors€yourself€to€discuss€a€problem€orÐ Zª Ðask€questions.€€If€your€veterinarian€will€not€make€these€calls€on€your€behalf,€it€is€your€right€toÐ F– Ðchange€to€a€veterinarian€who€will€assist€you€in€accessing€available€benefits.€€If€you€require€anyÐ 2‚ Ðassistance€concerning€your€benefits,€please€contact€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€for€help€and€if€need€be,€we€willÐ n Ðcontact€the€company€on€your€behalf.€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€has€worked€very€hard€to€obtain€benefits€andÐ  Z Ðdiscounts€for€our€members.€€We€need€your€cooperation€to€keep€them!€€If€you€run€into€a€problem,Ð öF Ðplease€contact€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô,€not€the€donor!Ð â2 ÐÌFor€assistance€with€benefits,€please€contact€Tanya€Ô_ÔEversoleÔ_Ô€either€by€telephone€€(513)€245-2199Ð º  Ðor€email€tanya@iaadp.org€Ð ¦ ö ÐÌÌòòóóò òòòóóó óÌ*******************************************Ð V$¦" ÐÌ€€€€€Ô‡¼¢H»XXú,Ô€ò òÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Conference€2009€€€Jan.€15òòthóó€ó óòòóóÔ#†Xú,X»¼¢H&Ñ#ԀР.&~!$ ÐÌ€€€€€€ò òÔ_ÔADIÔ_Ô€NA€Conference€2009€€€Jan.€12„14ó óÐ 2(‚#& ÐÌ€€€€Save€These€Dates!€€€Join€us€for€a€great€time!Ð *^%( ÐÌ€€€€ò òó óRegal€Sun€Resort€€€€€€€Orlando,€Florida€areaÐ æ+6'* ÐÌ*************************************Ð ¾-), Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌà  à