Change in legislation for assistance dogs?

Change in legislation for assistance dogs?

Carmel Le Cheminant, whose teenage daughter Kayla has autism and struggles to leave the house without her pet dog, is campaigning for Islanders with any medical or psychological condition to be allowed to bring their dog to shops and restaurants.

Currently, legislation allows those with a guide dog to bring them everywhere, but Mrs Le Cheminant said she wants this to be extended to people with hidden disabilities, such as autism.

‘My daughter has sensory issues as well as autism, and hates leaving the house. As it stands, her dog Beth is the one thing that can get her
outside.

‘She completely changes when she is with Beth but whenever I have suggested going to town with her and Beth, she has rightly pointed out there is no point because the dog wouldn’t be allowed into any of the shops, as it isn’t a guide dog,’ said Mrs Le Cheminant.

Recently, Mrs Le Cheminant – who lives in St Clement – approached Deputy Lyndsay Ash, who agreed to support the campaign.

Deputy Ash said he was seeking legal advice to find out whether the recent changes to the disability discrimination legislation, which came into effect this month, will allow assistance dogs to be brought into shops and restaurants.

‘I have lodged my query with the legal department, which I am hoping will clarify how the updated legislation affects people with assistance dogs and if it isn’t covered, then I will have to lodge a proposition for a States debate,’ said Deputy Ash.

Mrs Le Cheminant went on to say that Deputy Ash had
advised her to get a note from her GP to say her daughter needs an assistance dog for medical reasons.

However, she fears that as the updated legislation is not widely known or understood, and there is no official register for assistance dogs, her daughter and Beth would still be at risk of being refused entry.

Mrs Le Cheminant added that her daughter wanted to be involved in the campaign because of how much it means to her.

‘We all take walking down the street and being in crowds for granted, but for my daughter it is almost impossible. If she could have her dog with her all the time, it would focus her and give her the chance to live a normal life like everybody else.’

Jim Hopley, chairman of the Jersey Disability Partnership, and former chairman of the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society, said that while he understands Mrs Le Cheminant’s motivations, and sympathises with the case, he urges any changes to be approached with caution.

He said: ‘Guide dogs are extensively trained and are not just family pets. Currently there are around 15,000 Islanders registered as having a disability. If there were to be a legislative change to say that
everyone can bring their dog with them everywhere, without formal training or licensing, it could create chaos
very quickly.’

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