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Service Dog Week IS HERE!!!
This week on Aywas, we're going to celebrate service dogs! Service dogs are extremely important and we feel like they need a little spotlight to show how awesome they are.
Service Dog Information
The first thing we'd like to shine light on is US regulations about service dogs. Since 90% of our community is from the United States, this is great information for the majority of you. Here's a link to the official ADA Frequently Asked Questions about Service Dogs! Some important information to note:
1. Service dogs do not need to be registered, nor do they need identification. Any US database for service dogs that charges handlers to register is a scam!
2. People with disabilities have the right to train their own dog as a service dog. They are not required to get a professionally trained dog.
3. Service dogs are permitted ANYWHERE the public is allowed. Staff are only allowed to ask two questions of a handler: 1) Is this a service dog required because of a disability?, 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
4. Staff cannot request identification for the dog, ask about the handler's disability, or ask that the dog demonstrate its trained task. The dog does not need an ID card, a special vest, or any special harness, though many service dogs do wear vests.
5. If you see a service dog, do not pet or distract the dog in any way! Many service dogs are required to focus on their handler to ensure their handler remains safe. You can politely ask the handler if you can pet the dog, but respect their answer if it's a "NO."
Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs
Curious about the difference between service dogs and emotional support and therapy dogs? Check out this resource to learn more Click here!
Want to learn more about service dogs, or where to get your own service dog? Check out the links below!
Please Don't Pet Me
Assistance Dogs International
Canine Companions for Independence
Paws with a Cause
Service Dog Central
One of our administrators speaks very highly of their favorite service dog charity, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). This is a 501(c)(3) charity that we're excited to donate to during Service Dog Week!
For the duration of Service Dog Week (7/26 - 8/2), we will be donating 10% of our income from the USD Shop and GP Purchases to this suggested charity. We've been told by our admin that they really need the money right now due to surgery on one of their animals, and we definitely want to help.
On August 2nd, the last day of Service Dog Week, we will be running the Mystery Box. Consider this a head's up!
So let's get into what we have available for Service Dog Week!
Golden Retriever Service Dog | Labrador Service Dog
These are Service Dog Vests and what you'll need to collect to make the Service Dog SCCs shown above. If you collect fifteen Service Dog Vests, you can trade them in for one "metal" custom maker for one of the SCCs. These metal custom makers are currently stocking in the Event Shop.
These are used to make metal (coloring only, no edits) Service Dog SCCs.
So how do you get Service Dog Vests? Good question! The Trivia this week (7/26 - 8/2) has ten service dog related questions for you to answer, and for every one you get correct, you get one vest!
You can also write about your experiences with Service Dogs to earn one vest per 100 words you write, or you can color Service Dog SCCs for others to earn additional vests!
If you are interested in edited Service Dog SCCs, then head to the USD Shop to pick up some blue custom makers (50% edited) there for $5.00 each. These makers will be available until August 2nd 11:59 PM. All custom makers will be usable until August 31st, at which point they will be made into special collectibles.
So! As a recap:
- 10% of our income is going to our selected charity from 7/26 - 8/2
- Pick up Metal Service Dog items in the Event shop until 8/2, 11:59 PM
- Pick up Blue Service Dog items in the USD shop until 8/2, 11:59 PM
- The Mystery Box will open on 8/2 (so technically 11:59 PM of 8/1 to 11:59 PM of 8/2)
- All four custom makers will be functioning until 8/31 11:59 PM
- The Trivia will be available to earn vests until 8/2 11:59 PM
- The Coloring Thread and Experiences thread will be open until 8/2 11:59 PM
Enjoy Service Dog Week!
Posted by JAK
(#15) on Sat Jul 25, 2015 10:05pm
- Satin & Chenille
(#10)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:34am
that's true, i guess i assumed that people's experiences would be...actual experiences and not just stuff like that lol. so it does kind of make for a hotbed of drama as you put it.
- Satin & Chenille
(#10)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:37am
i forgot that just cause i wouldnt feel comfortable taking advantage and writing something like that, does not mean others wouldnt. we have had small events like this before and i dont remember if they got full of drama or not
- ChaosAzeroth
(#43055)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:48am
I id think about how our cats are Emotional Support Animals. Didn't put a word count, just wanted to share. Now I'm crying, good going me...x3 And yeah that's the real kicker in the end. IDK I"m glad I did stick through at least to do that and I really hope no one thinks I'm trying to take advantage of anything cause I'm not. But lately everything has been drama so I just go by what I see. I hope it doesn't get too bad.
- Valice & Fenris
(#20488)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:24am
Not sure if it is appropriate to list it here, but due to a lot of complaint about unfair chances with the metals, we have posted a giveaway to any of those interested to have a chance to get a Blue SCC Jacket. If it is wrong to post it here then please tell us so. ~Sorry & hope everyone enjoys the event!
- Kirby -Treats-
(#23060)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:24am
Yeah its gonna be a struggle to get any of my free-bies taken up so I can get a custom maker myself. I have not ever had a service dog or any service animal, nor have I ever met one so I have 0 experience.
- Calankh
(#33835)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:01am
so without writing or artistic ability, I have no way to get a single event psd, even? gee, how fun.
- chloe-k <3 Squirtle
(#45288)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:39am
wow so cute <3 I'm hoping for blue designs of them, so that's useful to buy the USD Items for them.
- Lucille
(#759)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 9:21am
Could we maybe put the metal version in the USD shop, too? I would rather pay cash since I have no experience with service animals to write about and no time to make 20+ designs that may or may not be claimed. If getting donations to the charity is part of the point, then I would much rather just pay real money for the metals I want while supporting the cause at the same time. Or even have to donate directly to them like has been done in the past. I don't mind contributing to such a great cause, but it would be nice if I could do so and get exactly what I want, rather than getting more than I need. (sure I'm not the only one who feels the bases don't really need to be edited)
- Guitarlos
(#6879)
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Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 9:26am
I wish it was possible for non-artists with no experience with service dogs to earn vests. The most I could write is "I saw an adorable service pup in training at the store a few weeks ago." I could try and color very plain, boring premades but with vests being so scarce it would be a waste of time since no one would ever claim them. :/
- Azi
Posted on: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:31am
Okay but the thing being, to be fair, some users don't have service dogs yet can participate because they've had contact with them. I've encountered one myself, but I really don't feel comfortable being like...What? I saw a service dog in a restaurant it was well behaved I didn't want to pet it cause that's bad kind of stuff? Like that's my experience but yeah...No... But yah there are people WITHOUT the disabilities getting stuff off of other's dogs and stuff so IDK the whole thing seems like a hotbed of drama to me. Also I don't think this was what users thought it was going to be so yeah at first they are going to make complaints as if it were a normal event because at this time I don't think it's sunk in this is NOT a normal Aywas vent and they are judging according to the idea it is still. Which if it were meant to be, yeah that wouldn't be right. HOPEFULLY as people see what it is things go better but yeah...