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CommunIty news | sun lakes lIfestyles | auGust 2014 | 3 By George Moyer, SLCC HOA President FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK On several occasions there has been confusion regarding where pets are allowed to be taken in Sun Lakes. Our adopted rules currently read, "Pets are not permitted in clubhouse facilities or on the golf course." The term "clubhouse facilities" includes the Veranda and Sandwedge Patio at the Main Clubhouse. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as revised in 2010, mandates that "businesses that serve the public generally must allow Service Animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go." In March of 2011 the ADA definition of Service Animals was revised. In fact, it defined three distinct types of service animals. They are as follows: Service Animal: "Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition." It goes on to say, "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition." Emotional Support Animal: "An emotional support animal, comfort animal, or animal assisted therapy (AAT) animal is not a service animal. "Unlike a service animal, a comfort animal is one that has not been trained to perform specific tasks directly related to the person's disability." Therapy Animals: "Are used by medical and counseling centers to treat patients with various emotional and social problems." They are not service animals. In fact, they don't even have to be a dog. They can be a cat, rabbit, horse, etc. As stated above the current adopted rules for our community do not allow pets to be brought into or onto clubhouse facilities. This rule obviously does not apply to legitimate Service Animals, as defined above. We have always allowed them full access to our facilities. However, by definition Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Animals do not meet the standards set forth in ADA. These animals are not permitted in or on our clubhouse facilities. As a result, the board asks that you refrain from bringing your pets to these venues. A well-known and respected law firm, expert in HOAs affairs, said, "Boards can require proof of disability before allowing an animal that violates the association's restrictions." We cannot demand to know the specific disability, only that the person has a disability and the service animal is required. Proof is generally provided in the form of a doctor's letter. Please be aware that staff has been asked to enforce our community rules and regulations. This includes the rules pertaining to pets entering clubhouse facilities. When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. They cannot ask for proof of the person's disability, or special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work task. PHONEBOOK DEADLINE Deadline for changes or additions to the next issue of the Sun Lakes phonebook is Oct. 20. Fill out page 382 of your present book and drop off at the administration office, or mail it to Local Phone Book, P.O. Box 875, Banning, or e-mail to millerpublocalphone@yahoo.com. Please check your e-mail listings. We are aware many have changed, but unless you notify us, they will be re-printed as is. Thank you.

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