From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary                                    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certify

Synonym Discussion of CERTIFY

There are places on the Internet to buy legitimate vests, patches and ID tags. Owners can even order elsewhere or make their own. What we are trying to make against state law is people who charge to enter a dog on a worthless registry and/or to sell fake certs or ID that claim certification with nothing to back it up. These businesses or individuals should be held accountable to what they are certifying and how they determine such. Are they testing the dog through such means as a PAT or making sure the dog is of proper temperament? Are they willing to stand behind that cert if the SD team must appear in court?

We would like it to be through state statute unlawful- with a possible charge of fraud – to sell a certification or item stating *certified* without anything to back it up. Against state statute to sell a certification without a knowledge of the dog’s training and suitability to go into the public as a working dog. Certification is not required under Federal Law – so those that sell it should be held to some minimum standards.

One possible requirement that could be added to this statute would be that if an agency, organization, or individual certifies a dog as an Assistance/Service Dog then they should make available liability insurance on that dog for a minimum amount of time. Not possible? Why not? Some Therapy Dog organizations have a million dollar policy on dogs that they test and register (and not even certify) while these dogs are actively working in that capacity. Should not organizations that register or certify Service Dogs also do the same for a minimum period of time?

From BusinessDictionary.com                                                                           Certificate of Compliance: A document certified by a competent authority  that the supplied good or service meets the required specifications.  … http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/certificate-of-compliance.html

Why is this definition here? First, I would like to tell you an interesting fact that I discovered while looking for more information on *Certifications for Service Dogs* over the Internet. One of the larger places to “Register” and receive a certificate and patch is located not in the U.S. but in Cuenca, Ecuador. What does this mean? They do not have to follow the same regulations as a U.S. based company. And while they offer registration does the customer know where their dog is then registered? A central Service Dog Registry? No, there is no such organization. So that means that the dog or rather the owner with the credit card is now on a list. One can only wonder how secure that info is or how many times that individual’s personal information is resold on mailing lists. So for the low price or $75.00 (and for such businesses this is relatively a low price) you receive a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE and this is why the definition is here. Are they certifying that the dog is a Service Dog? No, as the definition says “the supplied good meets the required specifications”. If you send in the payment and requied information you will receive this certificate, an ID Card, and a Patch. They are honest in that they do state that none of this is required but they also mention how their product is a valuable resource to make sure that businesses comply with the law. And to show how in touch they are with the law they have a picture of the Dept. of Justice Seal on the front page of their site. 

From time to time we have requests to help with vet bills or the cost of prescribed medicines. We currently have two such dogs that we would like to help but we don’t have the funds to do so. We are asking for donations which will go directly to the vets caring for these dogs. All donations are 100% deductible through Karl’s Kids Program, Inc.  If you are able to give a hand for these dogs and others like them please donate through our Paypal button or mail a check or money order to:

Assistance Dog Advocacy Project  ~  Karl’s Kids Program, Inc.  ~  P.O. Box 1989  ~  Interlachen, FL 32148.

A receipt will be mailed back to you.

We need to have people start suggesting ideas for our First Annual Assistance Dog Appreciation Day which is January 11, 2012. This activity is a joint effort between ADAP and Service Dog Central (SDC) www.servicedogcentral.org

Sunday, August the 28th ~ 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Dream Dogz Training Center
3909 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, Florida

Info from Dream Dogz Website

This event will offer responsible dog ownership tips, therapy dog and service dog information, explanations of the variety of classes and demonstrations, including DOGA (dog yoga), information on CGC Testing, vendors, and more. Grab a bite to eat and visit with Phoenix Animal Rescue dogs!

• Information given on Public Access Rights
• Fakers – Undertrained dogs vrs. Legit SD Teams

The Assistance Dog Advocacy Project (ADAP) is a project of Karl’s Kids Program, Inc. a non-profit registered through the state of Florida. We are also a 501(c)(3) public charity. To find out more about Karl’s Kids visit our corporate website at Karl’s Kids Program, Inc.

The purpose of the Assistance Dog Advocacy Project is to educate the community and people with disabilities on assistance dogs. ADAP also works with other organizations to advocate for assistance dogs and their handlers. ADAP is different than some advocacy groups as we educate all sides on their legal rights. We try to promote education as the way to solve any problems that may arise on housing, work, and public access in the community.

ADAP works closely with Service Dog Central (website and forum) on several of our activities.   Service Dog Central

Kirsten Richards, the founder and owner of Service Dog Central, sits on the Board of Directors of Karl’s Kids Program, Inc. and is the Director of the Assistance Dog Advocacy Project.

Day to day activities of ADAP are under the guidance of Theresa A. Jennings, Founder and Executive Director of Karl’s Kids Program, Inc.

Jessica Thompson is the Fundraising Chairman for ADAP.

The ADAP Advisory Board consists of Kirsten Richards, Theresa A. Jennings, Jessica Thompson along with other volunteers of ADAP. The majority of the Advisory Board and other volunteers of ADAP are themselves people with disabilities and part of an assistance dog team.