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.
It’s terrible when you lose your ‘service snake.’
A snake has to do what a snake has to do!
One day his seizures may be choked off permanently. “Red Rock”?...as in Rock Python? Rock Pythons are much more aggressive than Burmese Pythons, and, in fact, are a breeding concern in Floridas’ Everglades.
I'd like to be on the service snake ping list, please. ;-)
Say WA? Evergreen State ping
Quick link: WA State Board
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
Then the jerk should train a dog.
I saw on the TV the other day where a blind girl had her seeing eye Horse. It was going into the stores and everything. They finally put a stop to that, as horses sh*t everywhere.
I had no idea my wife was disabled until just now.
He keeps a python wrapped around his neck. What could go wrong?
Interesting! I like snakes for the most part.
Me too.
He should have trained a de-venomed rattlesnake.
Snake, rattle and roll!
Leni
This is a real problem. At the VA in American Lake there was some intern writing chits to make anything a service animal... snakes, crapping birds, spiders, and various lizards.....
Then knuckleheads come in to a mental health clinic with 6 ft of snake wrapped around them, or a figgin spider in a jar, and act all offended when others get upset.
This insanity needs to stop.
This has to be one of the strangest stories I’ll read in September.
I have to say that the guy probably has a valid argument, but it sure is an unusual one... and wouldn’t want to be “blessed” with such a “service”!
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