VETERANS AFFAIRS <br />COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION <br />SERVICE CENTER <br />2400 River Road <br />Eugene, OR 97404 <br />(541) 345-5 <br />DATE December 1, 2008 <br />TO Whom It May Concern <br />FROM Susan Harrison, MSW. CSWA <br />HCHV Outreach Social Workt <br />2400 River Rd, Eugene OR 97 <br />(541) 345-5195 office /(541 <br />RE Mr. George F. Thompson <br />1457-1/2 Water Street, Springfield, OR 97477 <br />The intent of Lhis letter Is to verify Mr. Thompson's'dreg, Samantha, is 'a Service Animal. The <br />fi!deral civil rights law; the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title f1l, 2 CFR Sec. <br />36.104 defines a Service Animal as any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform <br />tasks for a person with a disability (the disability may not be visible). <br />By law, a Service , Anirnal is not considered a pet. Most Service Animals are dogs; they can be <br />any breed or size and are not legally required to wear special equipment or tags. The ADA does <br />not require proof or 'certification' of the service dog's training. Service Animals are trained to do <br />specific tasks for the benefit of people with physical or mental impairments. In Oregon, animals <br />in training are subject to the same rules as Service Animals. Again, there is no mandatory <br />certification required. <br />Federal (e.g.. 28 CFR See. 36.302) and state laws protect the rights of individuals with <br />disabilities to be accompanied by their trained Services Animals in taxis, buses, trains. stores, <br />restaurants, doctors' offices, schools, parks, hotels and other public places. Federal laws which <br />protect individuals with disabilities include the ADA; the Fair Housing Amendments Act (1988) <br />See. 5104 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973): The Air Carrier Access Act (1986); and. other <br />regulations. <br />NOTE: If federal, state,- or local laws conflict, the law that provides greater protection for the <br />individual with the disability will prevail. For example, if state laws grants access only by <br />services dogs that do guide work and the service dog in question performs work other than guide <br />Z: <br />work, federal law will apply. The person with the disability must be permitted access with the <br />Service Animal, <br />The person who is accompanied by the Service Animal is responsible for its stewardship <br />(behavior, care, and well-being), must obey animal welfare laws (such as leash, cruelty. or other <br />similar regulations) and is liable for any dainage done by the Service Animal. <br />For more information about the ADA, contact the U.S. Department of Justice. ADA information <br />Line 800/514-0301 or 800/514 -0383 (17DD) <br />