- A “service animal” is defined as any “animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability”. They don’t have to be officially licensed or certified – so business owners can’t ask for proof that they’re really service animals. They can’t ask...
Archive for November, 2009
Service Animals and the Law
November 30, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyDogs, General Animals
“No pets – service animals only.” We see variations of these words on signs everywhere. They sound pretty straightforward, but sometimes there’s confusion over exactly what they mean.
In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets the rules for service animals, their owners, and the people who deal with them. This law says, among other things:
Do Fish Recongnize People?
November 26, 2009 — by Jacob P.Fish, General Animals
Every morning, when my mom comes downstairs and feeds her Beta fish (Bellini), Bellini gets very excited. And not just because of food. If my mom talks to her, the fish wriggles and swims excitedly. Also, the fish looks at her! She seems to recognize my mom's voice. So, this has made me wonder: Do fish recognize people?
Personally, I think she recognizes my mom because my mom brings her food. The fish only recognizes her, as mom is the primary feeder, suggesting the Pavlovian theory. The Pavlovian theory is that animals react to the feeder, not the food.
"During his research...
Feeling Thankful? Thank Your Pet
November 23, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyCats, Dogs, General Animals
This Thanksgiving, if you’re thankful for:
Your health – your pet may have contributed to it. Yes, as we told you earlier, pets are good for us.
Your family – your pet is part of it. He’s also there to give the other members love and company, even other humans who don’t feel like being around them.
Your friends – you may have met some of them while walking the dog. It’s documented that dog owners tend to have more friends, and this could be why. Read More »
Fascinating Facts About Crabs
November 18, 2009 — by Anna P.Invertebrates
To many people, crab is a type of food, but to others, this fascinating crustacean is something to learn more about. There are over 6,700 species, most of which can be found in various oceans across the world. Some particular crab types inhabit freshwater and even land. Here are some more interesting tidbits about crabs.
- They may look a bit like spiders, but crabs actually have 10 legs instead of eight- the first pair of legs (appendages) feature pincers- hence while they are sometimes called decapods (deca means ten).
- Crabs belong in the arthropod family along with insects and archanids. Members of...
Dogs Prove Themselves, at Home and Overseas
November 16, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyDogs
Sabi, a black Labrador military working dog with the Australian forces, was recently found 14 months after being declared “missing in action” in Afghanistan. (She’d been separated from her human comrades during an ambush.)
First Muffy – the mongrel who got home from Melbourne after nine years and a journey of hundreds of miles – and now this. There seems to be something special about Australian dogs.
Sabi’s homecoming began when an American soldier saw her with an Afghan man and discovered she understood English commands. Read More »