>> ... doctor’s ‘prescription’ ...
I think you underestimate the willingness of people to scam the system. I volunteer at the airport two days a month and see nearly every dog in there with a “service” or “therapy” patch. We’ve been cowed into silence by the 1990 ADA act that enabled the nazi-like handicapped lobby. A quick eBay or internet search will get you supporting materials that’ll scare the begeezus out of anyone:
http://www.petjoyonline.com/Service-Dog-Patches-IDs-Tags-s/270.htm
>> People who scam the legitmate system wreck it for those who actually need a support animal.
Yup
“Service” animal is totally different from “Support” animal.
The latter needs no accreditation and can be trained by the owner but also forfeits certain ‘rights to access’.
The former is formally trained, accredited and ‘licensed’, if you will.
I would be very suspicious of a “service” patch, myself.
Odin's say “Support” and that's all he is *legally*.
He still has many of the same ‘rights to access’ as a Service dog but not all the rights, nor should he.
“Therapy animal” -should- ONLY be applied to dogs who visit hospitals, etc and they have to be certified for that access by way of certain training classes and ‘titles’.
I'm sorry people are jerking you around.
[not all ‘handicapped’ people are “Nazi like”. I'm quite reasonable, in fact]