Companion dog may become a new category in registration fees

Dogs bring many benefits to our lives. For some that’s simply the joy that comes from a pet dog, while for others, such as blind people, the dog may offer freedom and independence.

There are some people though, who find a dog an essential aid to their daily lives, even though the dog isn’t officially recognised as such:

Dogs that allay owners’ anxiousness [sic] may soon be classed as working dogs by the Marlborough District Council.

The new classification of companion dogs will mean the dogs can enter public places and will entitle the owner to lower registration fees.

… Under the new classification, companion dogs would have the same benefits as disability-assist dogs, except they would not be allowed to enter restaurants and other premises from which dogs are normally banned for health reasons (as assist dogs can).

…They would also need a letter of support from a disability assistance organisation or doctor.

[Via : 'Companion dog' class proposed | Stuff.co.nz.]

The article mentions that this dispensation has been sought by two deaf people and the third from a person with acute anxiety and concerns for their personal safety.

It seems a little odd that these dogs would still be banned from restaurants and other premises where disability dogs are permitted. Do the deaf people or the acutely anxious person leave their deafness or anxiety at the door (presumably with the dog)?

It looks as though there’s scope here for the legal definition of ‘assistance dog’ to be expanded. See the Dog Control Act 1996 for definitions:

disability assist dog means a dog certified by 1 of the following organisations as being a dog trained to assist (or as being a dog in training to assist) a person with a disability

1. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand:
2. Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust:
3. New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust:
4. Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind:
5. Top Dog Companion Trust:
6. an organisation specified in an Order in Council made under section 78D

[Via : Dog Control Act 1996 No 13 (as at 03 September 2007), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation.]

In fact, it sounds as though the above named organisations (and perhaps some others) should all get together under an umbrella group of some kind, since they all have quite a lot in common.

Lobby group anyone?

What do you think?

Sorry, but thanks to a current flood of spam comments are temporarily closed. If you have a genuine comment please use the Contact form.

Tagged as: anxiety, companion dogs, disability dogs, health