Helper Parrots, Guide Horses Face Legal Challenges

npr ^

[JoeProBono]

Chances are you've seen a blind person accompanied by a guide dog. But what about a guide horse, a service parrot or a monkey trained to help an agoraphobic? These are just a few of the nontraditional service animals that are used across the country to help people with disabilities and psychological disorders. As their uses are expanding, however, the government is considering a proposal that would limit the definition of "service animal" to "a dog or other common domestic animal."

[JoeProBono]

Richard, a bonnet macaque monkey, helps Debby Rose get through the day without debilitating panic attacks

Ann Edie, who is blind, relies on Panda to guide her through her daily activities

Jim Eggers carries his parrot Sadie around with him in this cage converted into a backpack.

A Calming Parrot

The surprises don't end with horses. Jim Eggers, who suffers from bipolar disorder, accidentally discovered that his parrot can help him calm down and avoid destructive behavior.

Sensing that her owner is on the verge of a psychotic episode, Sadie talks him down with, "It's OK, Jim. Calm down, Jim. You're all right, Jim. I'm here, Jim."

He carries her around at all times in a backpack carefully fitted to hold her cage. It's not an arrangement that people are accustomed to and people are often skeptical.

[Steely Tom]

Guide Horse? I don't get it. Perhaps, knowing NPR's fealty to All Things Homosexual, they actually mean horse guide.

[nuconvert]

I like Richard. Does he have a co-pilot’s license?

[ThomasThomas]

I hope this catch on with republicans.

[ThomasThomas]

If I only had my “service animal” maybe I would have not forgotten that word. Elephants never forget.

[GeronL]

my helper hippo typed this for me

[Hot Tabasco]

Parrots can’t keep secrets and monkeys are just plain creepy.......

[gogogodzilla]

I always thought parrots would be more useful to the blind than a seeing eye dog. After all, a parrot can tell you what is around you. All a dog can do is tug at your hand.

[norraad]

Why the blind don't skydive......

..it scares their dogs..

[Daffynition]

Do they get minimum wage? Coffee breaks? The right to unionize?

[ex91B10]

Do a search on the "Americans with Disabilities Act" and focus on a section called 'Comfort Animals'.

It gets stranger daily here...

[HairOfTheDog]

I think the problem is not in the variety of service animals used... it could very well be that animals other than dogs can be service animals. I am intrigued that parrots and monkeys might be very helpful in doing tactile tasks for those with serious mobility issues.

I think the problem is in the increasingly silly list of human conditions and animals that may or may not help them. On the surface, many seem like silly excuses to take their pets with them everywhere. Panic attack monkey?

[csvset]

A Calming Parrot

Avast there matey ! Ye be upsetting the captain ! Belay that!

[Steely Tom]

Do a search on the "Americans with Disabilities Act" and focus on a section called 'Comfort Animals'.

Exactly. I recall that the Japanese Imperial Army had it's use of... well, click here if you dare.

[RedStateRocker]

I’m pretty hard of hearing (no, from wonderful Irish healthcare, not playing music).
Many times my Macaw starts saying “hello’ really loudly, turns out the phone is ringing and I wasn’t hearing it.

I’ve also picked up the phone and held it up to him, when caller ID indicates it;s a telemarketer, the poor sot on the other end keeps asking for me or the wife and gets ‘hello’, Dude!’ and such in what sounds like a little girls voice.

[alexander_busek]

I always thought parrots would be more useful to the blind than a seeing eye dog. After all, a parrot can tell you what is around you. All a dog can do is tug at your hand.

Yeah, like a service parrot is gonna cry out "Caution! You are approaching an intersection!"

Parrots can articulate words, but they haven't the faintest understanding of their meaning.

Regards,

P.S. My service chameleon just ate my cricket companion.

[KarlInOhio]

In Ohio stores can post "No Gun" signs prohibiting people from carrying firearms there. Does that apply to my service chimp too?

[brytlea]

Uh oh, shades of Planet of the Apes!

[csvset]

Um, should Debby Rose be driving if she’s prone to “panic attacks”? WTH? Is the monkey going take the wheel?

[csvset]

Ping for the WTH is this files.