dog as pet therapy

Started by BonnieG1 • 13 replies • 2373 views

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BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

We have a new owner who first tried to get the bylaws changed so that she could keep her dog after her son (who is taking care of the dog moves). The vote failed. We did not get 2/3 majority of the owners to vote yes. Now she has asked the president if she could keep the dog as a "Pet Therapy" dog for the building. Would she need to be certified as a therapist for us to allow this? We do allow dogs to visit, but they cannot live here.

BarbaraD6 (Florida)
Posts: 347

Posted:

Bonnie,

If its not certified then anyone can say their pet is a therapy pet.

Barbara

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Thanks, Barbara, that is just what I thought. we are to discuss this at the board meeting Thursday.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Bonnie,

Even after getting the pet certified for pet therapy it's possible that, depending on the wording of the covenants, they would not be allowed to keep the pet. Owning a pet with certification for pet therapy is not the same as an individual requiring a pet for medical therapy.

Certification would be where an owner of an animal is providing service to others.
The other would be where an owner requires the service of the animal, usually confirmed by a doctor.

In my opinion, and I love dogs, if the governing documents say no pets, then only the person requiring an animal for a medical condition would be exempt (at least until the documents are amended).

BTW, would you mind sharing what the vote count was? Failing to get the number to amend doesn't always indicate that the idea is unpopular - it could just indicate that membership apathy is high enough to prevent voting in the numbers required.

Tim

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

the vote was 19 plus 3 proxies yes and 7 no. But we only had about 69% of the members attending the meeting. What we did not do was send notice to all owners of the issue to be voted on. We may have to redo this vote.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

I am thinking that anyone could get a note from a doctor stating a pet was needed for thier therapy.

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Bonnie:

Obviously this owner is trying to find a loophole in the system to keep the dog.

She has no real need for the dog on a medical basis. So if she claims now the dog is a therapy dog IMO that does not matter.

And as far as a doctor's note well in most cases doctors will write about any note their patient might request. That is their opinion and their opinion only and would hold little water or should hold little water with the Board.

What is the doctor's specialty? Are they a foot doctor claiming the need for a therapy dog?

We have had doctor's notes submitted regarding the installation of a railing on the rear deck. The woman involved walked the whole property but when she was denied permssion for the railing she applied under medical needs. We denied that request dispite a doctor's "note".

Sounds like you have a PIA there with you and when one person is allowed a pet how do you deny the next? All downhill from there.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

I almost wish I could recluse myself from this vote. I have become attached to this dog as it visits at least once a week.

PjW (Virginia)
Posts: 71

Posted:

Might want to look into the disabilites act and fair housing.

I would think if a doctor deems that this dog and woman have an attachment that is good for her health in some way it should be all good. I mean people have therapy parrots, ponys, snakes, cats, dogs, etc. these days for all sorts of reasons and condo's and HOA can't stop them from having this animal.

And as a member of an HOA I wouldn't want too. But that's me I have a soft spot for animals and I just think people are happier when their around

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 03/01/2011 7:16 PM
the vote was 19 plus 3 proxies yes and 7 no. But we only had about 69% of the members attending the meeting. What we did not do was send notice to all owners of the issue to be voted on. We may have to redo this vote.

Hi Bonnie:

If this vote was to potentially amend the HOA CCR documents to allow pets, then you are correct if it was not sent to all owners it should be redone properly.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Jon, what is a PIA?

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Pain In the A.. er Gluteus Maximus

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 03/02/2011 4:17 PM
Jon, what is a PIA?

I would imagine it is Similar to a PITN (Pain In The Neck), but lower. We call them PITA's, I imagine a PIA is similar.

DagmarB (Georgia)
Posts: 21

Posted:

I agree with Jon, voter apathy, how well we all know. There is a document on the CAI website in PDF Format about responsibilities of Condo Owner and Board Members. Worth sending to all homeowners,The PITA's in particular.
Pet's are a fact of life and people do get attached, if the dog does not pose a problem in the community,go out for a vote to ammend your bylaws. It is worth having happy owners.

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