CPT’s Mark Spivak and Patricia King Appear on WGCL- TV 46

July 29, 2014

WGCL- TV 46 solicited the expertise of CPT for 3 recent feature stories.

The first story, which aired on Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21, covers “The Dog Project,” the novel research project founded by Emory Professor Greg Berns and CPT President Mark Spivak. The story covers the training conducted by CPT, as well as live scans at Emory, and includes interviews with Greg and Mark and a video of CPT Trainer Patricia King handling her dog Kady during a live scan. To access the story please click the following link: http://www.cbs46.com/story/26068316/do-you-know-what-your-dog-is-thinking-new-research-may-help.

The second story, which aired on Sunday, July 27, covers a Douglasville resident’s attempt to keep her dog within an apartment complex. The resident claims her dog is an emotional support animal. Therefore, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal Housing Act Amendment (FHAA) she should be allowed to maintain her dog within the property. However, due to complaints about the dog’s behavior, the resident’s apartment manager has elected to not renew the resident’s lease. WGCL reporter Jennifer Emert solicits the expertise of CPT’s Mark Spivak to discuss Federal service dog and emotional support animal access laws. To access the story please click the following link: http://www.cbs46.com/story/26113355/douglasville-familys-dog-could-cost-them-their-home.

The third feature story, which aired on Monday, July 28, covers how an increasing number of persons are illegitimately posing their dogs as service dogs or emotional support animals to receive public access or to avoid paying pet deposits or air transport charges. During the piece, CBS-46 reporter Jennifer Emert entertainingly obtains a mental health diagnosis and a prescription for an emotional support dog by placing a phone call and paying a California social worker $140. The story includes an interview with CPT Service Dog Trainer Patricia King and video of Patricia training a prospective psychiatric service dog, Teddy, a Great Pyrenees. The story also includes an interview with Mark, who discusses service dog legislation, the vagueness of the legislation, and the potential ramifications of persons abusing the spirit of the law. To access the story please click the following link: http://www.cbs46.com/story/26114622/doggie-deception-vague-laws-allow-some-to-exploit-the-service-animal-industry.