Ferret Allowed Back on Ottawa Buses

by Jordan Yerman | August 21, 2008 at 07:57 am

557 views | 5 Recommendations | 11 comments

A woman who relies on her pet ferret to manage panic attacks will be allowed to bring the furry creature onto Ottawa city buses. This is, as far as I know, the sole exception to a rule that only allows trained service animals to accompany their human partners onto city buses.

Woodard, who uses a wheelchair and suffers panic attacks, said the animal calms her, staving off the attacks, and she is afraid to travel without him.

A letter from a psychiatrist confirmed that Gyno is Woodard's service animal, as guide dogs are for some people.

However, OC Transpo's policies stated that service animals must be trained and registered with a recognized organization for the purpose of being used in therapy.

Though untrained, the ferret's positive effect on his owner's health and functionality was the basis of the pro-ferret argument.

"I like to consider ferrets something of nature's own naturally occurring anti-depressant," she said, adding that it's counter-intuitive for OC Transpo to encourage people to use transit and then prevent people from bringing pets that could be considered service animals.

Personally, I think that the presence of woodland creatures would make the morning commute far more interesting.

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Amy Judd

at 08:01 on August 21st, 2008

I suppose it's like a guide dog really - I'm glad he's allowed to travel on buses again with his ferret. It's better than him being nervous and going on buses without his ferret and having another attack.

Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:05 on August 21st, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Pet have proven to help with many disorders!

cnycompguy

at 14:47 on August 21st, 2008

this ferret's name is Mia, she was deciding whether to go for the mouse or the cup of hot cocoa

cnycompguy has contributed a photo to this story.

trinlayk

at 14:58 on August 21st, 2008

I'm glad to hear the ferret is considered an assistance animal.

Though my photo here is a toy ferret given to me by a friend, when my beloved Elric ferret passed away. Ferrets are great friends.

trinlayk has contributed a photo to this story.

toni92097

at 15:14 on August 21st, 2008

My ferrets are the best therapy one could wish for! As the third most popular pet in the USA, they deserve the same rights as dogs and cats as therapy animals!! I would have been thrilled to see another fuzzy on the bus!

krisleah

at 17:29 on August 21st, 2008

krisleah has contributed a photo to this story.

Valntyn

at 06:19 on August 22nd, 2008

Hurrah for this win!

Valntyn has contributed a photo to this story.

Globetoppers

at 23:09 on August 22nd, 2008

Zaff is a rock star ferret, 3 1/2 years old (pictured above, helping make tomato sauce).

I use Zaff with my "clients" who happen to be children with anxiety and

other disorders.

She is a miracle worker.

Hurray for this publicity for the wonders of ferts!

(Zaff has a SET of photos on www.flickr.com/photos/globetoppers)

Thanks.

Lisa J. Sohl aka globetoppers.com

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth...

at 00:26 on August 25th, 2008

This is my pet ferret Kiora.

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth... has contributed a photo to this story.

Miss Stella

at 12:38 on September 3rd, 2008

My ferret helps with the housekeeping. She particularly likes to ride on the back of the roomba robot vacuum.

Miss Stella has contributed a photo to this story.

Tiffany P (not verified)

at 16:07 on December 4th, 2008

This is SO stupid. I myself have ferrets and have NEVER had problems taking them on the bus. I have a special bag that you can buy at ANY pet store that has screen on the side. All this person had to do to avoid all this crap is put the ferret in a bag. That's also true of cats, small dogs, hamsters even snakes. I've had all manner of pets over the years and have never had problems taking them with me whether it be in a store (non-food mind you) on the bus, in cabs etc. Most people don't even notice that there's an animal IN the bag. Children are the only people that really notice. They're so observant. I love my fuzzbutts. I would cry if I couldn't take them anywhere.