Today i saw on the news that a student has successfully sued one of the universities in the area for something like $40,000. She claimed she was being discriminated against because of her "therapy animal"--a guinea pig. Apparently it was not enough for her to keep it in her dorm room; she had to take it with her everywhere she went, including the cafeteria. She needs this animal because she suffers from severe depression.
Now at the risk of sounding unsympathetic, in this case I do agree with many of the people who commented on the article and I think they have some very valid points. The first point is that if she is that emotionally fragile--as many people seem to be nowadays--what is she doing in a university setting? Seriously. I know I am treading a fine line here. I would not want to deny anyone an education or a job based on disability. However, there does come a point where one must face reality. What is this person going to school for and what does she hope to accomplish? Does she honestly think that the world will accommodate her all of the time? If so, she's in for a very rude awakening.
In fact, she may have screwed herself by her lawsuit. Yes, she did win. And whatever is left over after the lawyer gets done taking his or her share, she should invest very very carefully. Because there is a little thing called "background checks" these days. Her name is in the news now. So she graduates, applies for a job, and they do a background check and guess what? Next candidate, please! And just like that she will be passed on by. Oh, well, maybe she can use this money as seed money for another lawsuit for why nobody is hiring her. You see, employers are not legally obligated to hire anyone. They are not allowed to discriminate but it is up to the person to prove that he or she has been discriminated against. And they aren't going to go out of their way to hire someone with a proven track record of lawsuits. No, she'd better grow a thick skin because doors are going to slam in her face. Bet her lawyer didn't bother to tell her that when she filed suit. Of course not. Because he or she is going to wind up with the bulk of the money, why should he or she care what happens afterwards.
But I am really interested in this guinea pig. Someone has to look out for the poor creature and she obviously isn't. First of all, from what I understand about guinea pigs is that they can be really shy. They are not outgoing like dogs are. How is she using it as a therapy animal? Does she carry it around in a cage (bad enough) or is she holding and cuddling the guinea pig? What if IT has a meltdown, a panic attack, and escapes and is hurt? How will her fragile state handle THAT?
I have a cat who would like nothing better than for me to stay home all day and cuddle in my lap. I've often told her I should get one of those baby wraps and put her in it, then we could be together all the time. Except--even if it were allowed--it would be most unfair to her. Cats in general do not like to travel. She is better off and happier safe at home. I bet this guinea pig, if it could talk, would say the same thing. WE know what it is like to experience sensory overload; just imagine it from the guinea pig's point of view.
A guinea pig is a very small animal. And bullying, harassment, does occur in colleges as well as in high schools. Especially when there is drinking involved. How easy would it be for someone or a group of someones who had a grudge or just because to get a hold of this animal and do something bad to it? (By the way, none of these questions came up in the comments.) I love my animals. But they do not belong in certain places. And part of it is for their OWN safety.
Now, dogs have a long and valued history as service animals but not every dog has what it takes to be a service dog. The washout rate is very, very high. Most dogs that you see in training won't make it. I think the actual success rate is something like only 1 out of 10. And as I pointed out, a dog is temperamentally and intellectually different from a guinea pig. I cannot imagine how a guinea pig would do well as a therapy animal under the conditions that this person expects it to be. It's not fair to the animal and if this person had any sense of understanding she would realize that she is putting her own needs ahead of its needs.
Now at the risk of sounding unsympathetic, in this case I do agree with many of the people who commented on the article and I think they have some very valid points. The first point is that if she is that emotionally fragile--as many people seem to be nowadays--what is she doing in a university setting? Seriously. I know I am treading a fine line here. I would not want to deny anyone an education or a job based on disability. However, there does come a point where one must face reality. What is this person going to school for and what does she hope to accomplish? Does she honestly think that the world will accommodate her all of the time? If so, she's in for a very rude awakening.
In fact, she may have screwed herself by her lawsuit. Yes, she did win. And whatever is left over after the lawyer gets done taking his or her share, she should invest very very carefully. Because there is a little thing called "background checks" these days. Her name is in the news now. So she graduates, applies for a job, and they do a background check and guess what? Next candidate, please! And just like that she will be passed on by. Oh, well, maybe she can use this money as seed money for another lawsuit for why nobody is hiring her. You see, employers are not legally obligated to hire anyone. They are not allowed to discriminate but it is up to the person to prove that he or she has been discriminated against. And they aren't going to go out of their way to hire someone with a proven track record of lawsuits. No, she'd better grow a thick skin because doors are going to slam in her face. Bet her lawyer didn't bother to tell her that when she filed suit. Of course not. Because he or she is going to wind up with the bulk of the money, why should he or she care what happens afterwards.
But I am really interested in this guinea pig. Someone has to look out for the poor creature and she obviously isn't. First of all, from what I understand about guinea pigs is that they can be really shy. They are not outgoing like dogs are. How is she using it as a therapy animal? Does she carry it around in a cage (bad enough) or is she holding and cuddling the guinea pig? What if IT has a meltdown, a panic attack, and escapes and is hurt? How will her fragile state handle THAT?
I have a cat who would like nothing better than for me to stay home all day and cuddle in my lap. I've often told her I should get one of those baby wraps and put her in it, then we could be together all the time. Except--even if it were allowed--it would be most unfair to her. Cats in general do not like to travel. She is better off and happier safe at home. I bet this guinea pig, if it could talk, would say the same thing. WE know what it is like to experience sensory overload; just imagine it from the guinea pig's point of view.
A guinea pig is a very small animal. And bullying, harassment, does occur in colleges as well as in high schools. Especially when there is drinking involved. How easy would it be for someone or a group of someones who had a grudge or just because to get a hold of this animal and do something bad to it? (By the way, none of these questions came up in the comments.) I love my animals. But they do not belong in certain places. And part of it is for their OWN safety.
Now, dogs have a long and valued history as service animals but not every dog has what it takes to be a service dog. The washout rate is very, very high. Most dogs that you see in training won't make it. I think the actual success rate is something like only 1 out of 10. And as I pointed out, a dog is temperamentally and intellectually different from a guinea pig. I cannot imagine how a guinea pig would do well as a therapy animal under the conditions that this person expects it to be. It's not fair to the animal and if this person had any sense of understanding she would realize that she is putting her own needs ahead of its needs.
