Whenever we have a nice day Jim and I will take a little ride to enjoy the fresh air and see some different sights. We have found that even if we travel the same route we will see different things each trip. Trips are not just for our current enjoyment, but they act as a stimulus for a trip down memory lane.

A road trip takes me back to when I was little and our family would pile into the big old Packard that my father owned and head down the road. Those trips were usually on a Sunday, and most often during nice weather. One of the exciting surprises would be the stop at an ice cream parlor for a fresh made butterscotch ice cream cone.

This road trip took us into Saratoga. After we left the Northway we drove down the main street and passed many business and attractions where we have had the pleasure to stop and enjoy.

The National Hall of Dance was meaningful because the daughter of our good friends, Harvey and Di Levin, was married there and had a wonderful outdoor wedding on their grounds. Jen and her husband Tim are both working in Saratoga and could not have asked for a more beautiful spot than the Hall of Dance to start their life together.

Pet parks

As we passed the rather new dog park we saw that others were enjoying the nice day, and getting some exercise at the same time. Dog parks are a great benefit for people who have large dogs and small yards. They have plenty of space to run and because the park is fenced in the dogs remain safe. Jen and Tim have a large dog and they also have a large yard in which to play and exercise their pet.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. One must feed and care for their pet, and keep them safe. Many people who live in highly populated areas have trouble giving their pets the exercise they need. Especially, if the adults work and the children are busy with school and homework. That is why these exercise parks are so beneficial to pets and their owners.

Another safety feature that is now available is a data registry. We have all heard about dogs getting out of the house and running loose. Hopefully, they are retrieved before they get hurt or run away. Many times people will place posters or lost signs on trees and telephone poles hoping to get their lost pets back home. If the dog had a data chip that could be used to locate the owners, then more pets would be returned when they are found.

Many times they are found so far away that no one knows they are lost and turn them into the local animal shelter. If the shelter cannot find the owner and no one claims the dog they may have to be euthanized. That is always a tragedy, but at times cannot be helped if the dog is not identified.

Valuable service

Some dogs are more than just pets. We have all heard about service dogs. The most visible service dogs are the ones working with people who are blind. We have some friends who are blind and they have dogs that guide them around the city. They are quick to explain that these dogs are not pets, but they are working service dogs.

Service dogs are dogs that have been individually trained to perform a specific task for individuals who have disabilities such as our blind friends. They are, however, quick to add that they are not disabled. They just have a problem of not being able to see.  Generally, they can get around as well as most sighted people once they are familiar with the area. Both husband and wife work and are valued employees. Again proof that if people want to do something worthwhile they will not let a thing like blindness hold them back.

The disabilities can vary greatly, and so do the tasks that the service dogs perform. Service dogs can aid in navigation for people who are hearing- and visually-impaired, assist an individual who is having a seizure, or calm an individual who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many disabled individuals depend on them every day to help them live their everyday lives.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act an individual with a disability is entitled to a service dog to help them live their lives normally. Any dog can be a service dog, and service dogs do not have to be professionally trained. However, it would be helpful for others if a service dog owner identified their dog as a working dog. It is important that the dog is trained to be a working animal and not a pet.

The ADA protects disabled individuals by allowing them to bring their service dog with them to most places that the public is permitted, including restaurants, hotels, housing complexes, and even in air travel.

We were in a restaurant that was very popular and had many people waiting in line to give their order. While enjoying our lunch we saw a gentleman come in with a small dog in his arms. As he waited he continuously stroked the dog and showed great affection for the animal. A few minutes later another gentleman came in and almost immediately made snide and sarcastic remarks about having a dog in a public restaurant. He became more abusive in his language and his volume started to rise and showed his anger. Before a fight broke out the owner came to the boisterous man and explained that it was a service dog and was protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and, therefore, could go into any public place with his owner including this restaurant.

Letting the public know that it is a service dog is wise, otherwise, their handlers will find themselves having to explain everywhere they go that their dog is a service dog. Some businesses prefer to see an identification card or vest that indicates that the dog as a service dog.

The Americans with Disabilities Act has a specific definition of a disability, and it states essentially that a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual. Where dogs were only seen guiding the blind owner, there are now more than one category for service animals.

Emotional support dogs are dogs that provide comfort and support in forms of affection and companionship for an individual suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. An emotional support dog is not required to perform any specific tasks for a disability, like service dogs are. They are meant solely for emotional stability and unconditional love. They can assist with conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder/mood disorder, panic attacks, fear/phobias, and other psychological and emotional conditions.

Therapy dogs are similar to emotional support dogs because they are used to bring comfort and joy to those who are ill or living under poor conditions. Many people are able to connect with dogs and feel the love that they provide, and this has a therapeutic effect on them. Therapy dogs are generally very calm and well-behaved, so that they do not upset or make those around them uncomfortable.

A therapy animal is most commonly a dog (but can be other species) that has been obedience trained and screened for its ability to interact favorably with their owner and other animals. The primary purpose of a therapy animal is to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with learning difficulties.

If you see someone with a dog (or even another animal) in a public place, do not jump to the conclusion that they are breaking any health law. They may be allowed under the ADA, and if so could certainly use your understanding and compassion.

Since I do not have a service animal, I guess that I will have to just give my husband a couple of extra hugs the next time I feel anxious about anything.

Humzingers

The Humzingers winter gathering was held on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Route 7 Diner in Latham.  Those in attendance included:  Audrey and Bill  Branion, Brian Becker, Jan and Scotty Clark,  Clifford Gross, Pat and Gerry Irwin, June Pelham, Elissa Prout and Fred Pettingell.

It was announced that the Grand Matron and Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star will make their official 2015 visit on March 21. It will be held at Michael's Banquet House. More information to follow.

Ooops!

 Birthday correction:  Happy-birthday wishes are extended to Beryl Grant who celebrated her birthday on Jan. 25.  It was my error in reporting the date as Brad Grant's birthday.

STEM Academy

The Farnsworth Middle School is happy to announce that they will again participate with WSWHE BOCES to bring "more STEM Academy to Farnsworth.  Courses such as computer games, design, Chinese language, and culture as well as other courses will be available to the students. The courses are available to all students in grades six, seven and eight.

The registration deadline is Feb. 6.  Registration forms were sent to the all students in the above grades.

The final registration will be by lottery.  Letters will be sent to students accepted into the selected courses.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Danielle West and Anna Wilson on Jan. 31;

— Eileen McKenney and Alexander Rosa on Feb. 1;

— Heather Cannell and Russell Antonucci on Feb. 2;   

— Marian Bernd on Feb. 3.;

— Kathy Hornberger, Cathy Schillinger, and Lisa Whiting on Feb. 4; and
— Jeremy  Naginey and Daniel Reinemann on Feb. 5.