The power of dogs
The power of dogs
My dog, Brownie, and I go everywhere together in downtown Hilo. Many people have said hello and commented about how well behaved Brownie is in stores.
He has not attended a school for training service dogs. He has a problem with barking at other dogs because he is overprotective of me. But he definitely provides a service for me. I am disabled with a mental illness, and his “job” is to accompany me while I am interacting with the world.
Before I had him as a service dog, I stayed home every day. My children did the shopping and bill-paying. Now, I am independent and can do my own shopping, attend appointments, etc.
I also get about two hours exercise every day and am healthier than I’ve been in years. I now have friends who ask about me and Brownie and are concerned for our health. I have the following tips when you have an emotional support animal:
1. Carry the papers from your psychiatrist that state the animal assists you with your disability.
2. Offer the manager the right to review those papers when entering a store or business.
3. If your dog has problems with other dogs and there is one in the store, leave with your dog.
4. Make sure your animal is right at your side while in the store.
5. Only bring your animal in the store if he is very well potty trained. Always carry and use cleanup bags if you are outside, and clean up after he defecates or vomits.
6. Be mindful of small children and adults who might be afraid of animals. Give them plenty of room so they feel safe.
7. Always keep your animal on a leash when walking around other people and animals.
8. If you are refused the right to enter with your emotional support animal, say thank you and leave. Shop at a store that allows your animal.
My Brownie has turned around my life, and it frightens me that I could lose the right to have him help me with my mental illness symptoms. I implore my fellow citizens to not abuse the rights that allow an emotional support animal to be there for the emotionally disabled.
Nancy Olsen
Hilo
‘Stop digging’
Your June 16 article, “Tax breaks offered for conversion,” regarding the state plan for cesspool conversion contained some distressing math. First, it noted there are 50,000 cesspools on the Big Island. With a population of approximately 194,000 that is one for every four residents.
The 2013 U.S. Census states there are less than 85,000 total housing units on the island, so as many as 59 percent of Big Island housing has a cesspool sewage system. Second, the total pool of money to be distributed for conversion was capped at $5 million. You note this would only cover 500 conversions if the maximum subsidy of $10,000 is distributed each time.
Even if the Big Island got all of the statewide subsidies, it would only convert 1 percent of the Big Island cesspools.
Your article also notes the cesspool problem is so severe on the Big Island because it does not prohibit cesspools in new construction, a distinction that sets it apart from the rest of Hawaii and, quite likely, the other 3,000 counties in the U.S.
There is a simple fix to that: Ban cesspools in new home construction. Or, as one might say, if you are in a filthy, bacteria-laden hole, stop digging.
Peyton Ferrier
Hilo