p [Visitor] wrote the following reply to post http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/reply_to_lisa_on_support_dogs_for_autism~2889953

2008-01-04 @ 12:44
i have wrote to you before about dogs for children with autism, i am all for it as my son has a dog but you cannot take your PET dog into a shop or cafe etc for health and saftey reasons unless it is a fully registered dog by Assistance Dogs UK even using the disability rights your son may be supported by your dog but you can not take the dog into public places like a guide dog there are reasons why. You dog needs to be trained a certain way by a quaified trainer by an organisation that does this for disabled people that is the law for these types of dogs. There are orgs that are doing this for children with autism in the uk but it is still in the pilot scheme stage. so it is happening these things take time there are things to iron out etc but it is working for us

I say you could be right but this is what i know ..

There is no actual law that states this in the uk.
I have a letter from my an MEP that states.
If you cant enter a building due to your disabilty either with or without help or support which includes animals as well carers or helpers etc then that shop or business is failing to comply with the your disabilty rights to be enable you to do so.
Its not been tried in court as far i know but a dog does not have to be deemed certified to enable this support.
And it's down to the disabled person or carer to decide if the dog is aiding them not a shop manager.
any dog that helps support a disabled person in any situation is a support dog.
I not saying take unrulely dogs into shops etc.
a lot of breeds are very well behaved without becoming a guide dog for the blind or a failed guide dog.
its an hygeine issue more than safety as any responsible
dog owner would have arrange for their dog to have basic training .
It's impossible to find the thousands of pounds to teach your dog to take washing out the washer etc.
A dog can support an child or adult with autism just for being there. Nothing else needed . just to walk along side on a lead.
basic dog training can achieve this and does not make it any un hygenic than a trained guide dog.

you dont need a Id card saying the dog is a guide dog.
If you can only enter that shop with the help of your dog then you have the right to have your dog with you.
im not saying let evreyone in shops with dogs . just those with a diagnoses of a medical nature that have been shown to be able to get support from a dog.
.
i have in the past few months taken our dog in shops on a harness with my son and have not been approached once.
most people have the sense to realise that no one would take a dog in a shop if it was not a support dog even if the person with the dog is not blind.
people are not as igorant in the uk as most would have us think.
a good high visabilty dog harness and a well behaved dog and all goes well.
its not ideal but it works.
as far i know it would discrimation to ban me and my son and our dog from any shop.

if anyone else knows differentplease feel to comment and if you feel that something should be set up to
make sure people with autism have access to support dogs please lobby your local Mp and MEP.

you can write to them here
http://www.writetothem.com/

if your in the usa these links will be of help.
http://www.4pawsforability.org/alldogs.html

http://www.northstardogs.com/index.html

This link takes you to new dog law in Uk.
only some local councils enforce some of the rules.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/d/dogcontrolorders/?ciid=255863