Dr. Gael Yonnet pictured with his service dog, Elon, in December of 2009, was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident in 2006 while he was a University of Utah medical student. In 2009, he received a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence. But the organization took the dog away from now Dr. Yonnet because he allows the dog to run off leash in the mountains.
Yonnet received Elon in August 2009 from the Canine Companions for Independence. The organization provides highly trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. The organization said after a two-week training program, the participant is given “custody” not “ownership” of the dog.
“You do get depressed at times,” he said, “and having the constant companionship of the dog, and he knows when I’m sad, and he knows what I need. It’s really comforting.” Since he got Elon, Yonnet regained the active lifestyle he had before he got hurt. He said Elon helps him at home and at work. With the dog’s help he went mountain biking for the first time last year and in October 2010 he was able climb the top of Snowbird with Elon by his side.
“When I look back over the last 18 months of my life, he has always been a part of my life, so he’s a part of me,” Yonnet said. Yonnet, who is a senior resident at the University of Utah hospital’s neuro-rehabilitation department, said Elon also gives his patients hope. He said patients see that it’s possible to live a full and active life.
But recently, his life became much harder. CCI met with Yonnet and Elon, for what he thought was a normal follow-up visit. “They said, actually, ‘Thanks for taking the whole day off, but we are just here to take custody of the dog for his own safety.'” Yonnet said he was upset, holding Elon and crying. “I stayed 10 minutes holding him, and they said, ‘If it’s easier, we can call the police to take him from you.'”
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365793/Mans-companion-dog-taken-away-in-Utah-organization-said-dog-in-danger.html?pg=2
wow that is totally screwed up I will go find the petition as well.
Felissa,
I read about this and my thought was to start and online petition. It would be a good cause. It sounds like he is willing to do whatever it takes to get his dog back.
Doreen
There is a petition for him you can find the link to the petition in the full news story.
Why wasn't he given a warning and told that continuing to allow the dog to run off lease would be grounds for taking the dog back first?
Sounds like me that these people already wanted that dog back even before they learned of his allowing the dog to run off leash.
that is just heart breakin. i know dat group doz a lot of good but dis iz doin a lot of hurt for doggy and man and dat iz just wrong.
I really cannot believe this. It's really terrible! I will be signing the postition right after I finish typing this.
How terrible…I know that they charge a lot to get one of their dogs. We lost our beloved Reggie…my Husband's Parkinson's Dog 2 years ago…he died. He was 12 and not many days go by that we don't think of that wonderful animal. He save my husband's life at least twice.
I understand that the dogs are not supposed to run off their lead, but get real. Even running loose he was working! Who was he turned in by? PETA? I know that we were told never to let strangers give him treats as PETA would kill him to put him out of his misery. Which they think being a service dog is!!
I hope something is done for this poor man!!
First he was given many warnings and help but refused to change. Second, it wasn't because of his life style, as many people with serivce dogs are able to follow the rules set by this particular organization and still have full and happy lives for the person and the dog. why is this man so special? if he is in the right why are non of the other 1600 people out there with dogs from this company complaining. And CCI says that before this rule was put down, 55 dogs were killed due to being off lease. get the facts before you side with this man from just what he is telling the media.
Dear Anonymous,
They said that his work in the Hospital was too dangerous for the dog as well so was he supposed to give up his career as a doctor because the organization said a hospital is too dangerous.
I didn't side with anyone BTW. If he is supposed to have the dog on a LEASH then he messed up and that can be fixed. Though I am not sure how allowing a well trained dog (who should have complete recall) to run off leash in the mountains is a problem when there are no cars around.
If you would like to engage in a discussion feel free to not post as anonymous next time so we can engage in one.