Posted on 09/19/2009 9:46:31 AM PDT by llevrok
SHELTON, Wash. - It’s been months since Daniel Greene, an epileptic, has had a dangerous seizure. He credits his python, "Red Rock."
Greene said he’s trained the 5-foot-long snake to warn him when he’s about to have a seizure.
The Shelton man claims the snake notices when his temperature rises, a sign he's about to have a seizure.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Greene is allowed to bring his snake, which is usually wrapped around his neck, into any public place.
The ADA protects the rights of the disabled to have service animals in public places. According to the act, a service animal must be trained to perform a function that benefits someone with a disability.
People have been known to designate rabbits, birds and reptiles as "service animals."
Shelton resident Daniel Greene, an epileptic, says he's trained his snake to warn him when he's about to have a seizure. "I had to jump a couple of hoops and prove to the Human Rights Commission themselves that he did a service, that he did his job," said Greene. "The way I pay him is I give him food, I give him shelter, I give him love, I give him everything that says this is your pay, this is what you've earned."
The U.S. Department of Justice is looking at limiting which animals should receive service protection. Greene is afraid the designation will only be allowed for dogs.
"I’ll never be able to leave my home," said Greene.
The world just keeps geting nuttier and nuttier, doesn’t it?
service snake ping
Tell me this is from the Onion.
Gee, what could possibly happen? He's a future Darwin award winner.
Yeah, what is the snake’s warning sign, choking the guy til he passes out??
Shoot, wouldn't any man do the same for his service snake?
In stead of the old stand by of BS, This is SS are could that be service snake snake s=it. SSSS
Nothing but out and out racism against rats and pony's, not to mention pot belly pigs.
Well, replace it with the SEIU
Mr. Wangdoodle is deeply offended at your remark.
WA ping
We live ten miles from downtown Shelton (city pop. 8,000 or so), shop and dine out frequently there. Haven’t seen this guy
yet, but have noticed a handful of older gals bringing their small dogs into the local Walmart and letting them ride in the shopping carts - just where I want to set my food purchases a dog’s butt has been parked. We now shop for groceries at Fred Meyer or Safeway.
Israeli startup BioLert is minimizing that risk by developing a warning device called Epilert to support a long needed remote monitoring solution for people with epilepsy and their caregivers. Epilert will detect and recognize epileptic seizures, according to the company’s CEO Amos Shaham.
I think that it is illegal to take dogs into a grocery store. At least it is in violation of board of health rules. Drop a dime, if Walmart management does not respond to your complaint.
SERVICE SNAKE PING!!
I am wondering how the snake alerts him.
Only if you get the snake too cold. Then it will squeeze to get warm.
If they are service dogs, they can go into a store or restaurant.
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