He's not just a dog, he's our family! s most of you know, I have not been on facebook in a few weeks. BUT SINCE, someone on my Facebook felt it was necessary to go to some pictures from OVER a year ago, why you are so worried about mine or collins life beats me.. This is just for you. I hope you see this this :) When people think of medical service dogs, they usually think of seeing-eye dogs for the blind, or perhaps they think of the therapy dog (please note that a therapy dog is not the same as a service dog). While a visual assistance dog is a service dog, there are many other amazing jobs that these incredible canines can be trained to do. Our dogs are trained to do various jobs as medical service dogs such as:Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Alerting for help Alerting prior to a seizure (diabetic, epilepsy and other types of seizures) Alerting to a change in insulin levels Open/close doors, drawers and refrigerators Pick up dropped items Assist with mobility issues Mitigate the challenges of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Assist the hearing impaired, those with autism and so much more. A rule, service dogs are allowed to go anywhere that the general public goes. That includes any privately owned businesses that serve the public such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxi’s, theaters, concerts, sports facilities, etc. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are allowed. If you enter a business and are told that you cannot bring your dog inside, you simply tell them that you have a disability and that this is your service dog. By law, a business is not allowed to ask you what your disability is, nor can they demand proof that your dog is “certified”. These very special dogs help to give people back their self-confidence and independence. We are so often told how vulnerable a disabled person feels in a crowd or maneuvering a large public area such as an airport. With their loyal and highly trained service dog at their side, disabled people often forget about the challenges they faced prior to having this wonderful support system. Picture a blind man walking about your property, finding his way through the eyes of a leashed pit bull. While that image may be unsettling for some in the multifamily industry, recent court rulings that challenge property owner liability for bites, damages, and attacks, are changing ideologies about service animals and causing property owners to chase their tails – especially when it comes to satisfying the Americans With Disabilities Act. It's a shame that these breeds are being judged. I read in an article, "Service animals, as defined by the ADA, cannot be discriminated against, but the court rulings are raising questions in the multifamily industry about four-legged helpers with reputedly dangerous DNA. The topic consumed much of the conversation recently at a brainstorming session hosted by Fair Housing specialist Anne Sadovsky in Las Vegas. “The question I got the most about is can we say no if the service animal is on a restricted breed list,” she said. “We talked about it extensively. It’s something that’s rousing the rebels.” The short answer is “no,” says Sandovsky. American Pit Bull Terriers are most often associated with illegal dog fighting and have largely been responsible for breed-specific legislation. Pit bull enthusiasts say the dogs are as lovable as the next, but many properties won’t allow them for fear of aggressive behavior toward residents and staff that could result in lawsuits and higher insurance premiums. But pit bulls are beginning to join the protected class of animals – a list that has traditionally included some aggressive breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans – used by the disabled for everything from seeing to emotional support. The breed is falling off of vicious animal lists and courts have even ruled in favor of disabled owners who use pit bulls for service. "  directly quoted from http://www.propertymanagementinsider.com/pit-bull-classified-as-service-animal .    Think of it: your city empowered to outlaw your perfectly lovely, well-socialized dog simply because it is a member of a certain breed. BSL means a dog is considered vicious and then treated as such solely because of how it looks. It has nothing to do with current behaviour. It has nothing to do with the commission of an aggressive act. The basis for BSL rests solely on a collection of perceptions such as the size of the body, shape of the head, and length of the hair. In other words, it is guilt by association— you look like a guilty dog so you will be treated like a guilty dog. According to the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities (whether these disabilities are visible or can’t be seen), have the right to keep emotional support animals, even when a landlord’s policy explicitly prohibits pets.  To read more about Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs check out Emotional Support, Service and Therapy Dogs. Additionally, you are not required to disclose your disability.  An emotional support dog is considered an assistance animal under the Fair Housing Act. And PTSD is a disability according to the Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities acts. Consequently, the towns would have to modify their bans to prevent discriminating against the owner of the dog. As you can see, I've stated MANY facts on a service/ emotional support dog as I'm guessing you honestly don't know anything about the rules and regulations. Next, I'm going to get into more detail about "bully breed" dogs.  You might be surprised to learn that some of America's most beloved dogs are considered bullies. From large-and-in-charge boxers to small and stout Boston terriers, there are a variety of dogs that fall under the category of "bully breeds." Many of these dogs have unfair reputations for being dangerously aggressive -- especially pit bull breeds like the Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and American pit bull terrier -- but they actually make for very loyal and loving pets. So how did these canines get the title "bully breed" in the first place? Let's start at the beginning : The term "bully" can invoke a sense of terror and intimidation, so it's no wonder many people believe these breeds pose a danger to society. However, the term actually has nothing to do with the dogs' temperament or behavior, and everything to do with their origin and history. Bully breeds all come from the same root stock called Molosser, which is a breed that originated in ancient Greece. Molossers were big dogs with large bones and muscles, pendant ears and short muzzles. The bullies that we know today were created as a result of Molossers combining with other breeds, like the Old English bulldog or mastiff breeds. Though they were originally bred to protect livestock and property, some breeders and owners began to use the dogs for other, unsavory purposes. For example, during the 19th century in England, they were used in blood sports like bull baiting, and some believe this is where Molosser descendents first came to be known as "bully breeds." At the turn of the 20th century, British parliament established laws to outlaw blood sports and more immigrants traveled to the United States, bringing bully breeds with them. Once in America, these pups began serving in various professional roles. For example, a pit bull named Stubby became the first American war dog during World War I, when he served with a platoon in Germany. There, he saved countless lives and became a decorated war hero upon his return to the U.S. This early example of a bully breed's heroism and loyalty helped catapult bullies to the status of beloved household pets. Their popularity continued to grow throughout the mid-1900s, and a bully breed dog's image appeared on pro-America propaganda materials during World War II. There's no doubt bully breeds had become America's dog by the 1950s. So what changed? How could such a magnificent dog be turned into such a "horrible" breed? You could probably trace the beginning of bully bias back to the 1980s, when gangs began using pit bull breeds for protection or as status symbols. According to the ASPCA, another probable cause is themedia's misidentification of dogs involved in attacks. One often overlooked fact is that any dog may attack if it's neglected, abused or trained to be aggressive. Bully breeds are normally gentle dogs when they're cared for properly, and they have many qualities that make them great pets for active people with lots of time to give. They are very social and extremely loyal to their owners. Thanks to their athletic bodies and exceptional intelligence, they are very energetic and generally excel in agility. Believe it or not, bully breeds are very good with children, too.   The typical pit bull is a unique and wonderful animal. They offer incredible companionship, are amazingly athletic and have a terrific sense of humor. There is truly no other breed like them!   Pit bulls are not the breed for everyone...  but then again, the same can be said of any breed.  Pit bulls demand owners that not only understand the challenges of the breed, but who are committed to negotiating these challenges on a daily basis.  Many of those challenges come in the form of discrimination and bias from society.  Because of this, not only are pit bulls categorized in a derogatory manner, but their owners are as well. One very important characteristic of the Pit Bull dogs, is their amazing love of people. Human aggression, severe shyness, and instability are not traits typically found and accepted in the Pit Bull breed. Pit Bulls thrive on human companionship.  They are friendly, silly, happy dogs and typically never meet a stranger.  Unlike the myth propagated by the media though, human aggression is not a trait associated with the Pit Bull breed. In fact, Pit Bulls tend to do better than average in temperament tests.    Dog-on-dog aggression is a common issue with pit bulls.  In fact, it is a common issue with all TERRIER breeds, in general.  I encourage you to research any terrier breed - including the tiny Yorkshire Terrier - and you will discover the majority of terriers tend to be "scrappy" with other dogs.  Owners must recognize and accept this fact or they will not be able to provide competent ownership and have fun with their dogs.  As stated above - KNOW YOUR DOG. There are those who argue that because pit bulls were bred to fight other dogs a hundred years ago, they will fight any animal that they come in contact with.  This is absurd.  While it is true that pit bulls were selectively bred to fight other dogs a century ago, that in itself does not determine the disposition of individual dogs with other dogs.  Just as certain specific traits were selectively bred into pit bulls a hundred years ago, responsible breeders have been and continue to selectively breed those traits OUT OF pit bulls.  I encourage you to read the research I have done on Nature v. Nurture for a firmer understanding on the impact of a dog's environment as well as its genetics work TOGETHER in forming a dog's temperament and disposition. Proponents of pit bull bans argue that because pit bulls were once bred to fight other dogs, they are "dangerous" animals and, therefore, not acceptable pets or even domestic animals.  Current scientific research renders that train of thought as outdated.  The latest research indicates that environment plays an even more significant role than genetics in dog behavior.  In essence, breed ban proponents play the genetics card selectively.  They want you to believe that pit bull were bred to fight, ergo, they are vicious.  However, they conveniently leave out the fact that pit bulls have always, from the beginning, been bred to be EXCEEDINGLY human friendly. In addition, the dog fighting argument fails because there is a distinction between dog aggression and human aggression.  The simple fact that a dog displays aggression toward another dog does not mean it will display aggression toward a human.  There is a distinct difference between animal aggression and human aggression, and the two should never be confused. When speaking of pit bulls specifically, in my own personal opinion, you will not find a more friendly, loving or affectionate breed out there.  One common saying about pit bulls is that they "never meet a stranger." With respect to dogs that tend to be dog-aggressive, a higher level of responsibility on the part of the dog owner is necessary.  You need to recognize what upsets or aggitates your dog and remove your dog from those situations and/or don't put your dog in situations where those circumstances are likely to occur.  You have the ability to control your dog's environment and keep him safe, secure and happy. Finally, pit bulls can and do interact peacefully with other dogs and animals. Individual dog temperament, early training and socializing, all play an important role in whether or not a pit bull is capable of getting along with other animals. Many people successfully keep multiple pit bulls and other pets in the same household. Success is based on careful supervision, proper management and training, and the individual animals involved. Now, heres the background on our pitbull that the city of solomon mayor is trying to take out of our home, our family. I got ace for my boyfriend collin orginally when he was in a motorcycle accident the summer of '2014, they told him he would be paralyzed from the waste down. Ace was going to be his service dog to help him get around, help him with things he needed to do on a daily basis that I wouldn't be able to help with while gone at work. He has now gained most of his mobility back. INSTEAD of getting rid of the dog, as collin instantly fell in love with him. At only 5 weeks old, ace became Collins bestfriend, helper, and Emotional support in life. We decided to keep this amazing dog, he came apart of our family. He then registered ace as his service/emotional support dog. Anyone who knows collin, knows ace is seriously the best thing that has happened to him. He is now our family, not just some dog. According to all of the sites, articles I've read, people I've talked to say it's completely illegal and wrong for someone to try taking this away from collin. Collin served 5 years in the army, fought in Iraq and Afghanistan for what? To come home, start a family in a small town to only be told he has to get rid of HIS dog? For what? Some alligations on a certain breed of dog? That's like saying someone can't live somewhere because of the ethnicity they are. It's WRONG.  I'm sure most people would just get scared and get rid the their dog in this situation,  but No. That's NOT an option in our case, we can't just get rid of him, he's FAMILY as I've said before. We found him a loving TEMPORARY home until we can move out of the city that we are currently in. And the fact we thought this would be a fresh, new start for us here. What a joke. We are getting ready to have our first child, a babygirl. Ace is going to be a big brother! He's already sleeping in her nursery, cuddles up to my stomach at night, licks my stomach to give her kisses, that just sounds so vicious though right? No one could possibly understand the love he has for her already. Unfortunately, the city doesn't care about any of those things, and I can not seem to wrap my head around why a city is so worried about a family member that IS NOT hurting anyone, but won't do anything about the drug dealers, etc in the town of solomon kansas. I will continue to fight for our family member, and will not stop till something is done about the wrongful thoughts, and judgment on pitbull dogs, or bully breed dogs. I know many people that have pitbulls and will agree on me saying they're the best, loving,loyal dogs along with tthe sites I've listed in my post.