Every week we bring you a new emotional support animal news report, and this week is no exception. This time, we’re looking at two stories—both dealing with where assistance animals can and can’t be. Keep reading to get up to speed.
Professor Turns Away Service Dog, Calls for Firing
Over 4,000 people are asking George Washington University to fire a professor for discriminating against a disabled student. After an altercation in late January, the faculty member has come under fire on social media.
Liza Malinsky is a junior with diagnosed mental illnesses. Charlie, a pitbull and her service dog, attends classes with her. The school’s Disability Support Office knows of the student’s special needs and has allowed the dog on campus.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs—regardless of breed—can be in public spaces (such as universities). They do not need a special harness, tag, or document proving they’re service dogs.
Yet, one of Malinsky’s professors had not read up on the law. A few weeks ago, during the first classes of the term, she asked the student to leave the classroom with the dog. She claimed Malinsky needed written permission to have Charlie around. When the student argued back, the professor called campus police to remove Charlie and Liza.
The university sided with Malinsky, and a few days later she received an apology from the professor in her email. But it didn’t end there. The student posted a video of the confrontation on social media. Shortly thereafter, a petition was created calling for the professor’s firing over discrimination. It’s been turned in to the university’s dean but nothing has been decided as of yet.
Source: gwhatchet.com
Disabled Man Suing Housing Provider for Discrimination
Marc Stuetzel, an elderly man, worked with horses for 40 years. When he was diagnosed with a disability, it seemed logical to get a service miniature horse. But when his neighbors and housing provider threatened to evict him, he took them to court.
National Churches Residences operates Battery Park, an apartment complex for low-income seniors and disabled people. Several of the residents have complained for weeks or months that Stuetzel’s apartment smells. Ginger, the miniature horse, manures and urinates in the apartment over 10 times a day, and neighbors claim the foul odors have gotten out of control.
After receiving these reports, management told Stuetzel he will be evicted. But with nowhere else to go, the disabled man is fighting to stay put. He filed a lawsuit against National Churches Residences a few weeks ago and claims the Fair Housing Act gives him the right to stay in his home.
Now, it’s up to a judge to decide what weighs more: the other resident’s comfortability, or Stuetzel’s right to keep a miniature horse as a disabled resident.
Source: eu.citizen-times.com
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
We’re looking at two tough stories. We’ll have to see what both organizations—George Washington University and a court in Buncombe County, North Carolina—decide. We’ll update you on the outcome once it’s known.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness, getting an emotional support animal could do you a lot of good. Start the process with our 5-minute pre-screening test, which you can take for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional, who will meet with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.