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"The animals have no voice but ours..." |
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They said what?? April 25, 2008 I may have the ultimate, “They said what?” story this week. Someone wants us to go after service dogs. You’ll never believe this and I’m not kidding about it. We had a call from a person who wants the animal shelter to prosecute dogs in stores. Folks, the only animals that I know of who are allowed in stores are service dogs, like the Seeing Eye dogs, or ones in training. Dogs whose sole responsibility is to give freedom and access and a better quality of life to people with disabilities. I have to ask you, who hates Seeing Eye dogs? It’s unreal. The comment was it would be better to have a pile of trash than a dog. Can you imagine this? OK, I know that there are people in the world who will never see animals the way I do. Or the way most people reading this column do. I get that, really, I do. I’m also a firm believer in “to each his own.” If more people in this world took that kind of approach to life, I’d wager we wouldn’t have nearly the problems we do. Let people be who they are, think what they like, believe what they want. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone or anything and they don’t try to make me believe, think or do what they do, I say knock yourself out. People wouldn’t want an animal as a pet? Fine. No problem. Don’t have one. People shudder at the thought of sleeping in bed with an animal? Whatever. I don’t get it, but that’s fine. Don’t do it. Actively seeking to banish animals who are helping give someone a better life? That’s where my train comes to a screeching halt. It’s way beyond my ken. Can’t comprehend it. Plus, have you ever actually seen a service dog? They’re the most calm, gentle, good-natured animals I’ve ever been around. They are there to perform a service, they know it and they don’t stray from their jobs. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a service dog walk up to the people around them. Most of them wear signs that say something along the lines of “I’m working. Please don’t come up to pet me.” From that I can only infer that people bother these dogs more than the dogs bother people. I know I’ve had to stop myself from reaching out to pet them. Service dogs can act as guides for the blind; they alert deaf people to certain sounds; they help physically challenged folks open doors, pick up items, even pull and move wheelchairs – sometimes they can even help balance them when they walk. What in the world would possess someone to want to see these animals not be allowed to help and do their jobs? If it’s germs they fear, I’ll tell you a pile of garbage actually has a greater chance of making you sick. Heck, another human has a far, far greater chance of making you sick. How do people think we keep passing colds back and forth? It’s not from service dogs in stores, I’ll tell you that. Obviously, service dogs go through specialized training and most assuredly are required to be up-to-date on vaccinations, so in theory, they’re probably healthier than even your average pup on the street. Man, I just don’t get it. We have a local 4-H Seeing Eye puppy club and I’ve seen them around from time to time. Great bunch of folks with a great bunch of dogs. Their efforts are to be absolutely commended. We have Kindly Canines in the county whose handlers and dogs go around to nursing homes and schools. The pups listen while students read to them or give nursing home residents a chance to smile. The folks and dogs in that group are some of the dearest I’ve ever met. All these people and pets should be applauded, not condemned to ridicule and scorn by people who can’t see past their own ignorance, intolerance and misunderstanding. If everyone would work toward recognizing what’s really good in the world, I think we’d have a chance at making this planet a pretty nice place to be. And service dogs are some of the truly wonderful aspects of this life. They’re dedicated, loyal, supportive companions who help people for no other reason or benefit than they were asked to do it – because the person they were paired with needs them. I say, let them do their job. Wherever it may take them – even if it’s right along side me in the supermarket. ***** Jennifer Vanderau is the Director of Communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at cvasoc@innernet.net. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. Animals available for adoption can be viewed at www.petfinder.org. CVAS also operates thrift stores in Chambersburg and Shippensburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the stores.
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CVAS, Inc.