Service Dog on the Playa?

[theCryptofishist]

That's a governmental entity. Burning Man is private.

ADA lawsuits would be fucking amusing, tho...

Ya, they would be amusing.

But I'm pretty sure that ADA applies to private as well as public. Think about theaters and restaurants for example-- certainly privately owned, yet they have to comply with the ADA. Not to mention that BM is being held on public land, and all public/government spaces need to comply with the act.

I'm not sure that the event is the same thing as a movie theatre, although I can confirm from looking at websites earlier this morning that public buildings on BLM land would have to comply. (I'm not sure if there's a way for me to get into the BLM trailer, or if it doesn't apply to temporary buildings.) On the other hand, they do provide big porta potties. Is there a standard of conduct that users of service animals have to adhere to in regards to the health of the animal? That might end it right there.

[lucky420]

People who have and need a service dog surely know how valuable that animal is. Not only to that persons health and well being but valuable as in the cost of acquiring a good service animal. So I would think that if someone coming to bm needs to bring their service animal then they would have checked out everything that could affect their animal up there, from weather to noise,etc. And they would know wether the dog could handle it or not.

Someone trying to bring a companion animal is a different story. Companion animals do not have the same rights service animals. There are lots of people who try to blur that line when it comes to getting their dog in where it otherwise wouldn't belong.

[Ugly Dougly]

There was a time when Burning Man meant lots of firecrackers being tossed around. This is always a bad situation for dogs. Without that, I figure the main danger to a dog is the dust and heat, something that we all contend with.

[theCryptofishist]

Most of us don't have our bare paws on the playa floor, punctuated by lieing down on it directly.

[Tvh13]

Wow, I had a hard time following this thread with so many people cautioning someone not to bring their dog. Where does this begin to be messing with someone's burn? I think anyone with a service dog will take great care of their animal. I also think that if a person feels better having the dog with them, it is THEIR decision. Sure, I can see both sides of this argument. But ultimately, isn't each of us responsible for our own burn? There are many ways to mitigate every single issue brought up in this thread.

playa dust? - booties, doggie goggles
tents too loud? - use an RV
poop? - what about the human poop and pee? Playa puddles abound at BM

Not everyone who has a service dog, needs to take that dog to every event. Some service dogs are trained to deal with loud noises. All service dogs are well socialized to humans early in life. In fact, there should be a camp for people who cannot enjoy the burn without their service animals. And for those who say it's not "self reliant" I strongly disagree. It's like saying someone in a wheelchair cannot be self reliant, which is actually discrimination. It's sad that people would be so sanctimonious over someone who wants to come to the burn, and feels the need to bring their life line.

The OP was seeking opinions from the community, after reading your post we can add belated righteous indignation to the list of views. Let have a big round of applause for some good old god fearing righteous indignation people!

Personally I would have deep deep reservations about bringing myself/my animal to Burning Man with the outstanding challenges she has described walking with and seemingly she does too (hence her post).

Carry on.

[Tvh13]

People who have and need a service dog surely know how valuable that animal is. Not only to that persons health and well being but valuable as in the cost of acquiring a good service animal. So I would think that if someone coming to bm needs to bring their service animal then they would have checked out everything that could affect their animal up there, from weather to noise,etc. And they would know wether the dog could handle it or not.

Someone trying to bring a companion animal is a different story. Companion animals do not have the same rights service animals. There are lots of people who try to blur that line when it comes to getting their dog in where it otherwise wouldn't belong.

Neither service or companion animals have rights and I belive that the original post was regarding the question of rightness given the unique environment of black rock city.

As far as the owners right to bring the animal or not who gives a shit? Is it a humane thing to do? Is the question that I care most about.

I would think that the cost of a valued friend, companion, and care giver wouldn't be someones primary concern when making choices about its health, welfare and happiness but after reading your post I guess I might be wrong.

[lucky420]

I would think that the cost of a valued friend, companion, and care giver wouldn't be someones primary concern when making choices about its health, welfare and happiness but after reading your post I guess I might be wrong.

yeah and you might be wrong in the way that YOU interpreted what I wrote.

A person who uses a service animal has a very special bond with that animal. Do you think they would take this beloved and needed assistant to somewhere will it would get trashed and be in jeopardy? Don't be stupid. Service animals can cost thousands of dollars and are vital to that persons life and quality of life.

You're right service animals don't have rights but there owners sure as hell do. Check with the ADA if you don't believe me.

[Tvh13]

I would think that the cost of a valued friend, companion, and care giver wouldn't be someones primary concern when making choices about its health, welfare and happiness but after reading your post I guess I might be wrong.

yeah and you might be wrong in the way that YOU interpreted what I wrote.

A person who uses a service animal has a very special bond with that animal. Do you think they would take this beloved and needed assistant to somewhere will it would get trashed and be in jeopardy? Don't be stupid. Service animals can cost thousands of dollars and are vital to that persons life and quality of life.

You're right service animals don't have rights but there owners sure as hell do. Check with the ADA if you don't believe me.

Nope that is exactly how I interpreted your original remarks.

Please never own a dog.

Thank you.

[Rice]

Let's try and keep this civil folks!!!

It is obvious that many of us have different views on this subject.

[gyre]

Please never own a dog.

Thank you.

How about goats?

[lucky420]

Please never own a dog.

to late and I own 3 dogs.

Maybe we are just having difficulty understanding what each other are saying?

[stew]

Out of thin air and full of ignorance, here are my two cents:

1) service animals should be allowed and their owners should be fully responsible for the consequences
2) while it should be allowed, I would strongly advise anyone against actually bringing any animal out there

Just because something is legal, doesn't make it good idea.

[ranger magnum]

Sometimes there are places we want[i] to visit, yet due to circumstances, [i]shouldnt. This may be one of those situations.

The OP's service dog will do anything its master asks of it. But putting an animal in danger, particularly one that you are dependant on is IMO, irresponsible. As the old saying goes, never gamble what you cant afford to loose. Add to that the moral issues of bringing an animal to a place that you dont have to visit, and you should have your answer.

Perhaps one of the many decompression events would satisfy your wants, and keep both you and your animal safe. Los Angeles decom is now a two day event.

[theCryptofishist]

Joined:Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:32 pm
Last visited:Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:02 pm

[Lonesomebri]

Last year at one of the smaller burns during the week, the dark surrounding the glow, we noticed this Asian women wearing a Santa hat, her eyes closed and withdrawn, a beer in one hand and a red tipped white cane in the other. She slowly walked around the burn pile as the flames dwindled, tapping near the edges of the embers.....
We never noticed who she was with... Blind drunk Santa at the Fire....
I suppose I could have asked her if I could be of service, but not sure that would have been allowed.

[theCryptofishist]

Last year at one of the smaller burns during the week, the dark surrounding the glow, we noticed this Asian women wearing a Santa hat, her eyes closed and withdrawn, a beer in one hand and a red tipped white cane in the other. She slowly walked around the burn pile as the flames dwindled, tapping near the edges of the embers.....
We never noticed who she was with... Blind drunk Santa at the Fire....
I suppose I could have asked her if I could be of service, but not sure that would have been allowed.

One of the things I find really frustrating is people trying to be "helpful". They don't even wait to see that even those I can't do it the way they do, I'm still competent...
I'm thinking of making a sign for my wheelchair that says "Just Because I'm in a Wheelchair, Doesn't Mean that I Want to be Pushed Around."

[Lonesomebri]

Last year at one of the smaller burns during the week, the dark surrounding the glow, we noticed this Asian women ..... Blind drunk Santa at the Fire....
I suppose I could have asked her if I could be of service, but not sure that would have been allowed.

One of the things I find really frustrating is people trying to be "helpful"...."

Helpful wasn't the service I was most thinking about doing...ahh hum....
Blind drunk Santa was looking kinda hot......

[theCryptofishist]

Well, maybe you should have made a move. Although nothing too bold while she was drunk.

And I did see that what I said wasn't directly responsive. I sort of go for "teaching moments" when I can, because people are so fucking ignorant and smug...

[Lonesomebri]

Well, maybe you should have made a move....

So, ahh, Cryptee, pour yourself another cup of box wine and roll over close to me.....what kind of wheels you got on that that thing......?

[theCryptofishist]

I have the round kind...
*eyebrow wiggle*

[gyre]

People are all different, as people always are.

Always offer first.
Some people resent even that.
Most don't.

I've met people in manual chairs by choice, that never want help, and people in power chairs that are okay with making life easier.

It's the same with every other difficulty people have, not only disabilities.

My friend is going blind.
He often wants help he shouldn't have, and other times following his natural reckless personality, doesn't ask for help when he should have it.

I met a kid from Boston, came here to go to school at 18.
I was waiting outside the medical building.
He recognized me from the eye clinic waiting room, somehow.
He's completely blind.
He just wanted to be oriented again by description.
He was very upbeat, especially when he heard it wasn't his fault he was confused.
They built a damn cul-de-sac at the exit of the building.
He was definitely showing off, but very good at getting around, and very cheerful.
Probably his first chance at independence.

Another friend of mine, who chose to live here, in spite of being a lifelong new yorker, was very independent, though losing much of his peripheral vision to glaucoma.
He died crossing a fast midtown street, a common cause of death for those with that type of glaucoma.
He was already a minor celebrity by then.

No special point here.
People are different.