If some misrepresents their animal as a service animal and not a comfort therapy animal, there should be reprecussions. Like I mentioned, it is no different than my wife using my handicapped window tag without me. As a nurse, she would never do that, but you get the point.
Every time a person misrepresents the disabled community, it angers us, too. We have support groups and messageboards that are constantly bringing up the topic of therapy animals. There are people that are disabled that abuse the therapy animal, even though many states require a doctor’s prescription for the few rights that comfort therapy animals have. To get a service dog, it is not an easy or cheap process. It takes a long time to train them and they are usually not covered by insurance. I mentioned that I helped a friend raise money for their son’s service dog. It had to be trained specifically for him because he is type 1 diabetic, a toddler, and has down syndrome. He was only 3 and could not tell his parents when his blood sugars were off and he can’t communicate the same as most 3 year olds because of his down syndrome. His father is a detective and the police officers and community helped with an auction, dinners, and other fundraisers. It was well over $10,000 but it is his therapy and service animal. He nearly died before the dog because of his low blood sugars that put him in the hospital several times. After seeing the incredible group of other dog owners with diabetic kids with down sydrome, that came to support their auction and dinner, I became a huge believer. It saves these cute little kids, that lack communication skills, the horrible experience of having to prick their fingers to test their blood. The dog trainers that do the training are heroes to me because they do it at very little profit. I also know people with epylepsy, PTSD, visual issues, and several other conditions that have trained dogs.
Even my own dogs, have provided comfort and pain control for my disease. I would NEVER call my dog a service or comfort animal, but 2 dogs I have owned since diagnosis have really helped me. One has passed away but both always seemed to know when a severe flare was coming on. They put their bodies against the area of my abdomen that is affected and provide warmth and a little comfort, through love. It sounds corny but it has helped me through some difficult days and nights. Still, I would never call my dog a service or comfort animal because it takes away from those trained for specific tasks. I call her an awesome pet and best friend.