I’m joined this week by Molly Neher, the Director of Operations and Programs and a Team Facilitator at Atlas Assistance Dogs. She became involved in the world of service dogs when she herself became in need of one after developing a severe seizure disorder her freshman year of college.
With her service dog Reid by her side, she developed an avid passion for disability and service dog advocacy and education.
She now works to increase access to service dogs for people with disabilities and helps people train their own service dog.
Check out Atlas Assistance Dogs’ website: www.atlasdog.org for anyone interested in learning more about how they could train their own service dog, find a trainer, help people with disabilities, or become involved in service dog training themselves.
You can also purchase the “Atlas Leash”.  It is a great leash for both pet dog and service dogs. It has a dozen configurations including several handsfree options and can be adjusted for people and dogs of any size.  Each purchase supports Atlas and people with disabilities.
https://www.atlasdog.org/store-and-resources/
https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/the-atlas-leash-the-most-useful-dog-lead-ever-created/
Molly and I talk about the differences between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Emotional Support Animals, fake Service Dogs, what makes a dog a good candidate for training, how they're trained, what they can be trained to do, and what people should/shouldn't do when they encounter Service Dogs.
Here are some links to some of the things we discussed in the episode:
ADA information about Service Animals
FAQs about Service Animals from the ADA
Emotional Support Animals in California
NPR article about Emotional Service Animals on Planes (Dec 8, 2020)
Texas Toddler attacked by dog in a Service Dog Vest
And I did find the article with the Emotional Support Alligator (I think I said Crocodile in the episode) and I will say, nowhere in the article does it say that his owner has ever tried to take Wally on a plane.
If you want to work with me, I offer video sessions to clients all over the world.  You can find me at www.doggydojopodcast.com/digital-resources
The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com