Comments on: Wendy, the Service Cat http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:59:27 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-1859315 Alex Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:09:51 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-1859315 Below is a comment by Neatorama reader BV, who asked me to post this lengthy comment: I’m not a professional by any means on medical issues such as the man in the article however some of the people that are remarking on him are down right ignorant, whether by uneducated or by just the oddness of the sounding of the story because it’s a CAT. Let me start off by explaining a little bit about service animals. Q: What are the laws that apply to my business? A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed. The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet? Answer: Some, BUT NOT ALL, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, BUT NOT ALL, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability. Service Animal Registry of America (SARA) registers and certifies service dogs, therapy dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and all other species of service (assistance) and therapy animals, including: service dogs, therapy dogs, service cats, therapy cats, service primates, therapy primates, service monkey, therapy monkey, service birds, therapy bird, service horses, service equine, therapy equine, and service dog. “Gayla" February 15th, 2008 at 4:15 pm mentioned: No, a service animal does not have to perform a task, but it should have IAADP Minimum Training Standards for Public Access (How a cat can get this is beyond me.) Here is the answer to this, you might like to try it (website this comes from http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1776)…. Train a cat? You can't be serious! The idea of training cats is often met with a reaction of disbelief. Clicker training is perfect for cats, because the training agenda is in large part set by the animal being trained. Clicker training requires that the animal be a willing and equal partner in the training process—and cats wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, with clicker training the cat has the upper hand, since the cat must try to get the trainer to click. Start with treats: The best treats for clicker training are those that can be broken into small pieces, can be eaten quickly, and can be tossed for the cat to chase. Cats love to play and pounce and will often work for the chance to play with a favorite toy. Use the toys your cat likes the best for training. During a training session, be sure to have two toys to play with so that you can entice the cat away from the first toy with the second if the cat does not want to give up the first. Target training lays the groundwork: The best way to begin clicker training a cat is to teach it to touch a target with its nose. A plastic golf ball or a ping-pong ball on the end of a chopstick, pen, or wooden dowel makes a good target. Hold the target where the cat can see it and click/treat when the cat looks at the target. Click/treat any movement toward the target, and then click for actually touching the target. Work in short sessions at first. Take a break after four or five clicks even if the cat seems keen to continue. Pet or play with the cat, so that the cat does not feel punished when the session ends. After a few minutes, produce the target again and click/treat the cat for approaching, and eventually for touching, the target. Try giving the cue "touch" before the cat starts to approach the target to see if it understands the verbal cue. The sight of the target is also a cue to touch it, so it is a bit difficult at first to know if the cat understands the word. Have a seat: Teach your cat to sit, another useful skill, by moving the target back toward the cat's tail so that the cat's head must come up slightly to touch the target. Click and treat any movement of the cat's rear end toward the ground. Eventually the cat will sit; click and treat when its rear end touches the ground. Add the verbal cue "sit" when the cat gets the idea. You can also hold a treat over the cat's nose and move the treat back slightly to lure the cat into a sitting position. Of course, you can just wait until the cat sits on its own (which it will do at some point during the day) and click/treat when you see the cat going into the sitting position naturally. Sleight of hand: High five and wave are easy tricks to teach a cat that has learned the basics of target training. Hold the target a few inches above the cat's head, too high for it to touch with its nose. The cat will almost certainly extend a paw to try to bring the target to its nose. Click/treat just as the paw makes contact with the target. Move your hand down the shaft of the target, so that on each subsequent trial your hand is closer to the ball end of the target. Turn a high five into a wave by offering your hand for the cat to touch, and clicking/treating just before the cat actually touches the hand. Raise your hand higher and higher so that the cat cannot touch it, but will still try. Click/treat every attempt at first, and then click/treat only the highest waves. Add the verbal cue "wave" when the cat offers a good wave every time. Another way to teach a cat to wave is to dangle an interesting toy just out of reach, and click/treat when the cat tries to bat at the toy. This method may take longer if you have a cat that is more interested in playing with the toy than in winning a click/treat. If you have a cat that likes to play more than it likes a food treat, try using the toy as the reward, allowing the cat to play after you click. Help around the house: Impress your friends by teaching your cat to close a drawer or cupboard. Build on your cat's previous experience with the high five to master this trick. A sticky note is a good choice as a target for the cat's paw in training the drawer closing trick. Place the sticky note on your palm and give the cat the "high five" cue. Click and treat when the cat touches the sticky note with its paw. Raise your hand so that the cat must stand to reach it, and raises both paws. After a few successes, place the sticky note between your thumb and forefinger and hold it out for the cat to touch with both paws; click and treat every touch. Cut the sticky note in half and repeat the process. The steps should go more quickly this time. Reduce the size of the sticky note again and repeat the training steps. Continue in this manner until the sticky note is so small that the cat cannot touch it with both paws, and, instead, is putting its paws on the drawer itself. Remove the sticky note altogether. Continue to click and treat every time the cat puts its paws on the drawer with enough pressure to move the drawer. Once the cat is offering to close the drawer every time you open it, you can add the verbal cue "close the drawer" as the cat offers the behavior. Repeat ten times and then try giving the cue before the cat offers the behavior on its own. All in all, there are many things your cat can do, here are a few we have trained our kittens and now are cats to do – alert us when someone is at the door by running to the door and meowing at the door… when daughter has headache, the cat goes to her and lays next to her and purrs at her head, it gives a soothing vibration and makes the headache go away…. When daughter drops something, the cat picks it up via mouth to her lap or taps it to her feet so she can pick it up… as a kitten we bath the cat in water so it got use to being in water and isn’t frightened by it, it now goes in the bathtub and keeps daughters attention so she will not fall asleep in bath…. As a kitten we taught the cat to walk in public so when going into a public place, it can walk on the floor in a store just like a dog can…. TOILET TRAIN, yes that is right, we are litter box free – here is how we did it: Get a mini litter box, get littler and a toilet seat, train the cat or kitten to sit on the seat and go, place it in the bathroom so it’s use to going in the bathroom. Now get a sitz bath with litter and place it inside the toilet. When placing litter in at this point, it’s going to be just enough to “dust” the bottom, as you will now add 10 holes in the bottom but no wider then your fist (explained later). Your cat will be moving the litter so you don’t want too much going in the toilet. Once you done this for about 3 days, make the hole about the size of your fist as now you’re cutting all the 10 holes out and now, not adding litter. In 3 days make the hole the size of the complete bottom, depending on the bottom of the sitz bath, it can be about 6 to 9 inches in average on the bottom. In 3 days now that your cat is completely doing it on his/her own, take out the sitz bath and you’re now LITTER FREE. Congratulations! To sum this up, CATS CAN BE TAUGHT, and I admire Jeff Ward for suing the gym for not allowing him to bring Wendy with him. Dogs are NOT the only “trainable” animals out there, so please, before putting someone down, please EDUCATE YOURSELF! Below is a comment by Neatorama reader BV, who asked me to post this lengthy comment:

I’m not a professional by any means on medical issues such as the man in the article however some of the people that are remarking on him are down right ignorant, whether by uneducated or by just the oddness of the sounding of the story because it’s a CAT.

Let me start off by explaining a little bit about service animals.
Q: What are the laws that apply to my business?
A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?
Answer: Some, BUT NOT ALL, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, BUT NOT ALL, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.

Service Animal Registry of America (SARA) registers and certifies service dogs, therapy dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and all other species of service (assistance) and therapy animals, including: service dogs, therapy dogs, service cats, therapy cats, service primates, therapy primates, service monkey, therapy monkey, service birds, therapy bird, service horses, service equine, therapy equine, and service dog.

“Gayla" February 15th, 2008 at 4:15 pm mentioned:
No, a service animal does not have to perform a task, but it should have IAADP Minimum Training Standards for Public Access (How a cat can get this is beyond me.)

Here is the answer to this, you might like to try it (website this comes from http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1776)….

Train a cat? You can't be serious! The idea of training cats is often met with a reaction of disbelief. Clicker training is perfect for cats, because the training agenda is in large part set by the animal being trained. Clicker training requires that the animal be a willing and equal partner in the training process—and cats wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, with clicker training the cat has the upper hand, since the cat must try to get the trainer to click.

Start with treats: The best treats for clicker training are those that can be broken into small pieces, can be eaten quickly, and can be tossed for the cat to chase. Cats love to play and pounce and will often work for the chance to play with a favorite toy. Use the toys your cat likes the best for training. During a training session, be sure to have two toys to play with so that you can entice the cat away from the first toy with the second if the cat does not want to give up the first.

Target training lays the groundwork: The best way to begin clicker training a cat is to teach it to touch a target with its nose. A plastic golf ball or a ping-pong ball on the end of a chopstick, pen, or wooden dowel makes a good target. Hold the target where the cat can see it and click/treat when the cat looks at the target. Click/treat any movement toward the target, and then click for actually touching the target. Work in short sessions at first. Take a break after four or five clicks even if the cat seems keen to continue. Pet or play with the cat, so that the cat does not feel punished when the session ends. After a few minutes, produce the target again and click/treat the cat for approaching, and eventually for touching, the target. Try giving the cue "touch" before the cat starts to approach the target to see if it understands the verbal cue. The sight of the target is also a cue to touch it, so it is a bit difficult at first to know if the cat understands the word.

Have a seat: Teach your cat to sit, another useful skill, by moving the target back toward the cat's tail so that the cat's head must come up slightly to touch the target. Click and treat any movement of the cat's rear end toward the ground. Eventually the cat will sit; click and treat when its rear end touches the ground. Add the verbal cue "sit" when the cat gets the idea. You can also hold a treat over the cat's nose and move the treat back slightly to lure the cat into a sitting position. Of course, you can just wait until the cat sits on its own (which it will do at some point during the day) and click/treat when you see the cat going into the sitting position naturally.

Sleight of hand: High five and wave are easy tricks to teach a cat that has learned the basics of target training. Hold the target a few inches above the cat's head, too high for it to touch with its nose. The cat will almost certainly extend a paw to try to bring the target to its nose. Click/treat just as the paw makes contact with the target. Move your hand down the shaft of the target, so that on each subsequent trial your hand is closer to the ball end of the target. Turn a high five into a wave by offering your hand for the cat to touch, and clicking/treating just before the cat actually touches the hand. Raise your hand higher and higher so that the cat cannot touch it, but will still try. Click/treat every attempt at first, and then click/treat only the highest waves. Add the verbal cue "wave" when the cat offers a good wave every time. Another way to teach a cat to wave is to dangle an interesting toy just out of reach, and click/treat when the cat tries to bat at the toy. This method may take longer if you have a cat that is more interested in playing with the toy than in winning a click/treat. If you have a cat that likes to play more than it likes a food treat, try using the toy as the reward, allowing the cat to play after you click.

Help around the house: Impress your friends by teaching your cat to close a drawer or cupboard. Build on your cat's previous experience with the high five to master this trick. A sticky note is a good choice as a target for the cat's paw in training the drawer closing trick. Place the sticky note on your palm and give the cat the "high five" cue. Click and treat when the cat touches the sticky note with its paw. Raise your hand so that the cat must stand to reach it, and raises both paws. After a few successes, place the sticky note between your thumb and forefinger and hold it out for the cat to touch with both paws; click and treat every touch. Cut the sticky note in half and repeat the process. The steps should go more quickly this time. Reduce the size of the sticky note again and repeat the training steps. Continue in this manner until the sticky note is so small that the cat cannot touch it with both paws, and, instead, is putting its paws on the drawer itself. Remove the sticky note altogether. Continue to click and treat every time the cat puts its paws on the drawer with enough pressure to move the drawer. Once the cat is offering to close the drawer every time you open it, you can add the verbal cue "close the drawer" as the cat offers the behavior. Repeat ten times and then try giving the cue before the cat offers the behavior on its own.

All in all, there are many things your cat can do, here are a few we have trained our kittens and now are cats to do – alert us when someone is at the door by running to the door and meowing at the door… when daughter has headache, the cat goes to her and lays next to her and purrs at her head, it gives a soothing vibration and makes the headache go away…. When daughter drops something, the cat picks it up via mouth to her lap or taps it to her feet so she can pick it up… as a kitten we bath the cat in water so it got use to being in water and isn’t frightened by it, it now goes in the bathtub and keeps daughters attention so she will not fall asleep in bath…. As a kitten we taught the cat to walk in public so when going into a public place, it can walk on the floor in a store just like a dog can….
TOILET TRAIN, yes that is right, we are litter box free – here is how we did it:
Get a mini litter box, get littler and a toilet seat, train the cat or kitten to sit on the seat and go, place it in the bathroom so it’s use to going in the bathroom. Now get a sitz bath with litter and place it inside the toilet. When placing litter in at this point, it’s going to be just enough to “dust” the bottom, as you will now add 10 holes in the bottom but no wider then your fist (explained later). Your cat will be moving the litter so you don’t want too much going in the toilet. Once you done this for about 3 days, make the hole about the size of your fist as now you’re cutting all the 10 holes out and now, not adding litter. In 3 days make the hole the size of the complete bottom, depending on the bottom of the sitz bath, it can be about 6 to 9 inches in average on the bottom. In 3 days now that your cat is completely doing it on his/her own, take out the sitz bath and you’re now LITTER FREE. Congratulations!

To sum this up, CATS CAN BE TAUGHT, and I admire Jeff Ward for suing the gym for not allowing him to bring Wendy with him. Dogs are NOT the only “trainable” animals out there, so please, before putting someone down, please EDUCATE YOURSELF!

]]> By: Aleena http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-452415 Aleena Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:01:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-452415 ADA Business BRIEF: Service Animals Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Yes they do need to do tasks. THe IAADP is a private organization that has created its own standards independent of the Federal and State Government requirements. Their standaards, while admirable really have no legal standing. I am a rehab professional so I deal this all the time. ADA Business BRIEF: Service Animals
Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks.

Yes they do need to do tasks. THe IAADP is a private organization that has created its own standards independent of the Federal and State Government requirements. Their standaards, while admirable really have no legal standing. I am a rehab professional so I deal this all the time.

]]> By: Gayla http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-447929 Gayla Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:15:27 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-447929 No, a service animal does not have to perform a task, but it should have IAADP Minimum Training Standards for Public Access (How a cat can get this is beyond me.) 1. Amount of Schooling: Your dog should be given a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) hours of schooling over a period of Six Months or more. At least thirty (30) hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.* 2. Obedience Training: Your dog must master the basic obedience skills: "Sit, Stay, Come, Down, Heel" and an off leash Recall in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals. 3. Manners: Your dog must acquire proper social behavior skills. This includes at a minimum: No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - no biting, no snapping, no growling, no lunging and/or barking; No begging for food or petting from other people; No sniffing merchandise or people who pass by; No urinating or defecating in public unless given a command / signal to toilet in an appropriate place. No, a service animal does not have to perform a task, but it should have IAADP Minimum Training Standards for Public Access (How a cat can get this is beyond me.)

1. Amount of Schooling: Your dog should be given a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) hours of schooling over a period of Six Months or more. At least thirty (30) hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.*

2. Obedience Training: Your dog must master the basic obedience skills: "Sit, Stay, Come, Down, Heel" and an off leash Recall in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals.

3. Manners: Your dog must acquire proper social behavior skills. This includes at a minimum:

No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - no biting, no snapping, no growling, no lunging and/or barking;
No begging for food or petting from other people;
No sniffing merchandise or people who pass by;
No urinating or defecating in public unless given a command / signal to toilet in an appropriate place.

]]> By: Aleena http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-437360 Aleena Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:32:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-437360 In order to qualify as service animal it has to "perfom a task". While the cat is surely helping his owner cope it can not be considered a service animal unless it has been trained to do something to assist with the disability. If it is just being a comfort, then it is an emotional support animal and as as such is excluded from the protection of the ADA. In order to qualify as service animal it has to "perfom a task". While the cat is surely helping his owner cope it can not be considered a service animal unless it has been trained to do something to assist with the disability. If it is just being a comfort, then it is an emotional support animal and as as such is excluded from the protection of the ADA.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-411961 Nathan Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:47:03 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-411961 It seems to me he is creating more stressful social interactions through trying to bring in this cat wherever he goes. I don't think anyone here is against him bringing in Mr. Whiskers, its just most people aren't accustomed to is, so they are uncertain to the laws surrounding it. Its the fact that he isn't willing to help the situation by bringing his documentation (therefore relieving some of the stress), and then suing the business for not complying. It seems to me he is creating more stressful social interactions through trying to bring in this cat wherever he goes. I don't think anyone here is against him bringing in Mr. Whiskers, its just most people aren't accustomed to is, so they are uncertain to the laws surrounding it. Its the fact that he isn't willing to help the situation by bringing his documentation (therefore relieving some of the stress), and then suing the business for not complying.

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-411458 Sid Morrison Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:30:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-411458 Alex says: "Then can I bring a shaggy, dirty dog full of fleas into a restaurant because I claim that it is a “service animal”? " Sadly, the answer is YES. The ADA was a sham. OK, it was well-intentioned at the start, but wound up being so over-expanded that everything is now a "disability". The effect on business owners is profound -- yet more costs for them to absorb. I'm a cat person, but this really stretches the line. If the cat was actually trained to fetch him things or act as a "seeing feline", that would be one thing, but a living security blanket? My opinion wouldn't be different if it was a dog used in the same manner. Come on... It's a pet! Alex says: "Then can I bring a shaggy, dirty dog full of fleas into a restaurant because I claim that it is a “service animal”? "

Sadly, the answer is YES. The ADA was a sham. OK, it was well-intentioned at the start, but wound up being so over-expanded that everything is now a "disability". The effect on business owners is profound -- yet more costs for them to absorb.

I'm a cat person, but this really stretches the line. If the cat was actually trained to fetch him things or act as a "seeing feline", that would be one thing, but a living security blanket? My opinion wouldn't be different if it was a dog used in the same manner. Come on... It's a pet!

]]> By: Larfin Jackarse http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-410730 Larfin Jackarse Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:38:16 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-410730 I read it and picked up on shell-shock and that he has a cat and thought 'what a chick magnet'. So, yes, I can see that the cat could be a service aminal in terms of creating social contact. Specially with fem's. On the other finger, I know cats can be trained http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vja83KLQXZs but to sit still for a half hour workout? ps: Zim looks stoned at the start of that video...was he being fed 'Scooby Snacks'? I read it and picked up on shell-shock and that he has a cat and thought 'what a chick magnet'. So, yes, I can see that the cat could be a service aminal in terms of creating social contact. Specially with fem's.

On the other finger, I know cats can be trained http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vja83KLQXZs but to sit still for a half hour workout?

ps: Zim looks stoned at the start of that video...was he being fed 'Scooby Snacks'?

]]> By: Lea http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-408519 Lea Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:59:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-408519 I'm going to have to point out that most people associate "service animal" with dogs, but "animal" does not limit it to just dogs. Cats are hard to train, but they can act as service animals. Many people (with the finances) have monkeys to help them, and I've even heard of birds. What gets me is that he already took the cat through, so I think there's miscommunication on the part of the manager and the employees? And whatever his social problems, PTSD is not a "cop-out". Vets are not the only ones who experience extreme psychological trauma. Rape victims, abuse victims, and people in other horrible situations experience it. I would not be so quick to dismiss something because of its intangibility as an illness. I'm going to have to point out that most people associate "service animal" with dogs, but "animal" does not limit it to just dogs. Cats are hard to train, but they can act as service animals. Many people (with the finances) have monkeys to help them, and I've even heard of birds.
What gets me is that he already took the cat through, so I think there's miscommunication on the part of the manager and the employees?
And whatever his social problems, PTSD is not a "cop-out". Vets are not the only ones who experience extreme psychological trauma. Rape victims, abuse victims, and people in other horrible situations experience it. I would not be so quick to dismiss something because of its intangibility as an illness.

]]> By: MoonCake http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-408411 MoonCake Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:58:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-408411 it's semantics.. dog, cat, snake, swarm of bees, whatever. i can defend the guy for wanting rightful access to the gym he already signed the papers for and had already taken his cat through on the tour. he has some social issues, no doubt, whether it be diagnosed or not, the man has issues. most domesticated people don't need a "security blanket" in the form of a feline, but if he needs it to feel more comfortable in social settings, he has some issues. i can also defend the gym because the dude didn't need to get so pissed off at them for not allowing the cat inside. they haven't been with the guy for the last however long he's been back. they're genuinely ignorant to his situation, therefore the dudes expectations were unreasonable. you can't expect someone to know what you're thinking unless you tell them. we're not mind-readers, yunno. it's semantics.. dog, cat, snake, swarm of bees, whatever. i can defend the guy for wanting rightful access to the gym he already signed the papers for and had already taken his cat through on the tour. he has some social issues, no doubt, whether it be diagnosed or not, the man has issues. most domesticated people don't need a "security blanket" in the form of a feline, but if he needs it to feel more comfortable in social settings, he has some issues. i can also defend the gym because the dude didn't need to get so pissed off at them for not allowing the cat inside. they haven't been with the guy for the last however long he's been back. they're genuinely ignorant to his situation, therefore the dudes expectations were unreasonable. you can't expect someone to know what you're thinking unless you tell them. we're not mind-readers, yunno.

]]> By: Vako http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-408028 Vako Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:18:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-408028 It's interesting. I thought service animals were for people with physical situations, not for people with mental/emotional situations. How can a helper-monkey help me with my social skills in a job interview or on a date? I'm thinking that maybe the manager at the gym was thrown by the fact that it was a cat. People seem to think of cats as incorrigible. I think the guy should invest in a home gym. That way he and his helper-cat can be together for whenever and all will be comfortable and nicy-nice. But something tells me that Mr. helper-cat might be the kind of person who thrives on conflict. Or else why would he put himself through that sort of thing? It's interesting. I thought service animals were for people with physical situations, not for people with mental/emotional situations. How can a helper-monkey help me with my social skills in a job interview or on a date?

I'm thinking that maybe the manager at the gym was thrown by the fact that it was a cat. People seem to think of cats as incorrigible. I think the guy should invest in a home gym. That way he and his helper-cat can be together for whenever and all will be comfortable and nicy-nice.

But something tells me that Mr. helper-cat might be the kind of person who thrives on conflict. Or else why would he put himself through that sort of thing?

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-407432 Alex Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:51:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-407432 Then can I bring a shaggy, dirty dog full of fleas into a restaurant because I claim that it is a "service animal"? What if a swarm of bees make me feel good, will that be okay? Where's the common sense, people? Then can I bring a shaggy, dirty dog full of fleas into a restaurant because I claim that it is a "service animal"? What if a swarm of bees make me feel good, will that be okay? Where's the common sense, people?

]]> By: Pudifoot http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-407098 Pudifoot Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:27:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-407098 A service snake? not in my store! A service snake? not in my store!

]]> By: Mac http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-407038 Mac Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:47:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-407038 Read the relevant parts of the ADA here in the U.S. and you'll see that he has no need to *prove* his cat is a service animal. All business owners have the right to do is to ask, "are you disabled?" and, "is this a service animal?" If you answer yes to either point, they are obliged to let the animal in. There are service cats/dogs/birds/snakes/etc. out there and they all do good. It's a damn shame when non-disabled people are so judgmental. Read the relevant parts of the ADA here in the U.S. and you'll see that he has no need to *prove* his cat is a service animal. All business owners have the right to do is to ask, "are you disabled?" and, "is this a service animal?" If you answer yes to either point, they are obliged to let the animal in. There are service cats/dogs/birds/snakes/etc. out there and they all do good. It's a damn shame when non-disabled people are so judgmental.

]]> By: passer by http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-406315 passer by Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:57:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-406315 When something as simple as a cat can make it possible for this man to interact more normally in everyday situations, I think it's a great idea. If a cat, or any other animal can help him with his rehab, that sounds like a service animal to me. When something as simple as a cat can make it possible for this man to interact more normally in everyday situations, I think it's a great idea. If a cat, or any other animal can help him with his rehab, that sounds like a service animal to me.

]]> By: Pudifoot http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-405963 Pudifoot Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:18:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-405963 RN: thank you. no jokes, no clever remarks. just "thank you", you and people liked you helped out America, and you were unappreciated and not treated right. I just got back from Vietnam, and that country would be a thousand times better off if the military was allowed to do what what should have been able to do. thanx. RN: thank you. no jokes, no clever remarks. just "thank you", you and people liked you helped out America, and you were unappreciated and not treated right.

I just got back from Vietnam, and that country would be a thousand times better off if the military was allowed to do what what should have been able to do.

thanx.

]]> By: RN http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-405405 RN Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:57:54 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-405405 I can't help wondering how many of the people who have come up with negative comments ranging from uninformed to very nasty (such as "Playing the Veteran Card") have been in the service and seen action. In order not to use "excessive profanity" I'll say no more. (A 'Nam RN -- 71st Evac.) I can't help wondering how many of the people who have come up with negative comments ranging from uninformed to very nasty (such as "Playing the Veteran Card") have been in the service and seen action.

In order not to use "excessive profanity" I'll say no more.

(A 'Nam RN -- 71st Evac.)

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-405358 Alex Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:29:40 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-405358 What's the qualification for "service animal"? Does the fact that a pet cat makes him feel better automatically qualify it as a service animal? I feel that there's a hint of "let do what I want or I'll sue" attitude on the part of the vet, though I confess I don't know the details of the situation. What's the qualification for "service animal"? Does the fact that a pet cat makes him feel better automatically qualify it as a service animal?

I feel that there's a hint of "let do what I want or I'll sue" attitude on the part of the vet, though I confess I don't know the details of the situation.

]]> By: Pudifoot http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-405244 Pudifoot Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:42:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-405244 Oh sure, they accept a "service cat", but when i tell people I am training a "seeing-eye-cat" they just laugh at me. Oh sure, they accept a "service cat", but when i tell people I am training a "seeing-eye-cat" they just laugh at me.

]]> By: Caitlin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-405209 Caitlin Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:07:40 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-405209 Personally I think PTSD is as much a cop-out now as ADD. That's not to say that PTSD was not a big deal during the Vietnam era, but now? I can't believe, especially after I myself have served in the military during this stupid war. One thing I can't stand is when people throw up the veteran card. So what if he's a veteran? That's completely irrelevant, and this statement: "I’m part of the first wave of guys returning, and I’m having to make sure the guys that come behind me don’t have to deal with the problems I’m dealing with." is such a load of crap. His cat wasn't denied entry because he's a veteran, and let's be serious here.. how many people choose CATS as their service animals? I love cats, I am a cat person, but they are not the most popular service animals. I think this guy is just a whiny jerk looking for some attention and some sympathy. I'm embarrassed to say that I live just a few miles from that gym, and probably just a few miles from this guy. Personally I think PTSD is as much a cop-out now as ADD. That's not to say that PTSD was not a big deal during the Vietnam era, but now? I can't believe, especially after I myself have served in the military during this stupid war.

One thing I can't stand is when people throw up the veteran card. So what if he's a veteran? That's completely irrelevant, and this statement:

"I’m part of the first wave of guys returning, and I’m having to make sure the guys that come behind me don’t have to deal with the problems I’m dealing with."

is such a load of crap. His cat wasn't denied entry because he's a veteran, and let's be serious here.. how many people choose CATS as their service animals? I love cats, I am a cat person, but they are not the most popular service animals.

I think this guy is just a whiny jerk looking for some attention and some sympathy. I'm embarrassed to say that I live just a few miles from that gym, and probably just a few miles from this guy.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404800 Jennifer Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:18:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404800 Wow, it is remarkable that most of you seem .... quite willing to spit on this guy without understanding what he's been through. If the service animal was a dog would you feel different? I would bet that if this article read his dog was banned from the gym most of you would be saying the opposite. The fact that he's a vet from a war most of you are probably openly against doesn't really help him out either I'm wagering. Really folks, you need to go and speak with a war vet - pick your war, any one will do because they're all the same hell holes. It's not what your fantasies concoct after watching a movie and listening to media news reports. People go to war and even if they come back physically ... they don't always come back with souls and hearts intact. I've seen a few generations of my family suffer mentally when they've come back from war. My grandfather with the Great War down to my cousins and friends with the Iraq war. If any of them were helped out by a simple cat, dog, bird, monkey, or f**king worm I would fight tooth and nail for them to be able to carry that comfort with them wherever they went. And here's what that comfort means to someone like Ward: his cat, Wendy, doesn't pass judgment on him. Go back and reread the vitriol in your own remarks. You'll see that passing judgment is all you seem to be able to do. Wow, it is remarkable that most of you seem .... quite willing to spit on this guy without understanding what he's been through. If the service animal was a dog would you feel different? I would bet that if this article read his dog was banned from the gym most of you would be saying the opposite. The fact that he's a vet from a war most of you are probably openly against doesn't really help him out either I'm wagering.

Really folks, you need to go and speak with a war vet - pick your war, any one will do because they're all the same hell holes. It's not what your fantasies concoct after watching a movie and listening to media news reports. People go to war and even if they come back physically ... they don't always come back with souls and hearts intact. I've seen a few generations of my family suffer mentally when they've come back from war. My grandfather with the Great War down to my cousins and friends with the Iraq war. If any of them were helped out by a simple cat, dog, bird, monkey, or f**king worm I would fight tooth and nail for them to be able to carry that comfort with them wherever they went.

And here's what that comfort means to someone like Ward: his cat, Wendy, doesn't pass judgment on him. Go back and reread the vitriol in your own remarks. You'll see that passing judgment is all you seem to be able to do.

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404772 ted Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404772 That sounds like he's got a really bad dependency building up there. I hope he's getting other treatment, too. I don't get your bits and pieces comment, vonskip. How would having a cat help out in that sort of situation...? According to dude, the cat absorbs a lot of his stress. I imagine it's more the presence of the cat that helps. Little weird, but if it keeps him from going over the edge in public, what the heck... That sounds like he's got a really bad dependency building up there. I hope he's getting other treatment, too.

I don't get your bits and pieces comment, vonskip. How would having a cat help out in that sort of situation...?

According to dude, the cat absorbs a lot of his stress. I imagine it's more the presence of the cat that helps.

Little weird, but if it keeps him from going over the edge in public, what the heck...

]]> By: Allison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404760 Allison Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:54:30 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404760 When I looked at our local grocery store we had a woman who would always bring in her chihuahua in on her little metal bag cart. We frequently asked her to keep the dog outside and she always ended up trying to sneak it in. Until we were informed that, at least around here, service animals ALWAYS need to be admitted...even if the person doesn't have the papers to prove it. We protested because of the sanity problem with having dogs and such around the backery and Deli but we were told to cooperate from our corporate office. When I looked at our local grocery store we had a woman who would always bring in her chihuahua in on her little metal bag cart. We frequently asked her to keep the dog outside and she always ended up trying to sneak it in.

Until we were informed that, at least around here, service animals ALWAYS need to be admitted...even if the person doesn't have the papers to prove it.

We protested because of the sanity problem with having dogs and such around the backery and Deli but we were told to cooperate from our corporate office.

]]> By: Tara http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404723 Tara Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:25:03 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404723 Most people with service animals have a document from their doctors indicating that the animals are service animals and not pets. While he does have to right to have his service animal, the onus is on him to prove that she is indeed for medical purposes. If not, any one of us could just walk in and claim our animals. Most people with service animals have a document from their doctors indicating that the animals are service animals and not pets.

While he does have to right to have his service animal, the onus is on him to prove that she is indeed for medical purposes. If not, any one of us could just walk in and claim our animals.

]]> By: Edmund Huber http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404708 Edmund Huber Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:59:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404708 VonSkippy: It states in the article that he has (or has been diagnosed with) post-traumatic stress disorder. If you care to look at Wikipedia, among the diagnosis criteria is "F. Significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning". So, I imagine the cat, when the article says that it functions as a "social buffer", means that he feels more comfortable in social situations when the cat is around. VonSkippy:

It states in the article that he has (or has been diagnosed with) post-traumatic stress disorder. If you care to look at Wikipedia, among the diagnosis criteria is "F. Significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning". So, I imagine the cat, when the article says that it functions as a "social buffer", means that he feels more comfortable in social situations when the cat is around.

]]> By: Nick http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404707 Nick Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:58:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404707 god i wish i lived in my grandfather's age. god i wish i lived in my grandfather's age.

]]> By: VonSkippy http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-404693 VonSkippy Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:27:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/19/wendy-the-service-cat/#comment-404693 To recap, this "guy" needs a cat in order to "act as a social buffer" when he goes out. So I'm guessing he got his "bits and pieces" shot off in the war??? //another fine example of your tax dollars at work. To recap, this "guy" needs a cat in order to "act as a social buffer" when he goes out.

So I'm guessing he got his "bits and pieces" shot off in the war???

//another fine example of your tax dollars at work.

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