Ask Madden

I was reading extensively online about The Americans with Disabilities Act and service animals and I sort of think it's a little ridiculous how much leeway disabled people get. It just seems like all the pussy-footing around required by the ADA relies too much on the honor system. For example: A service dog is allowed EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE by law. A service dog has a special definition according to the ADA, which makes sense. However, there is nothing at all to certify a service dog or to prove a dog is a service dog. In fact, the ADA explicitly states that a service dog is not required to wear any special equipment (eg, vests, special collars, etc) to show that it is a service dog. If you are in a public place and see someone with a service dog, the ONLY question you are allowed to ask that person is "Is that a service animal?" If the answer is yes, then you may not ask any additional questions. You may not ask for the person to prove it (and even if you did, there is no official "certification" for service animals, so there is no such thing as proof), nor may you ask if the person is disabled/what kind of disability (s)he has.

Sort of a little bit ridiculous. I'm all for service animals being allowed everywhere. And I'm all for people not being required to tell people their disability. But I just think there should be some kind of official paperwork to prove an animal is a service dog.

That's all I got for now...