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Dear Listmembers, On August 4th I went to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [N.A.S.A.] base at Walliops Island, Virginia, to inspect some government surplus items to be sold at auction the next day. I drove from Salisbury, Maryland, to the base at Wallops and took my dog [Harley] with me. The guards at the N.A.S.A. base refused to let Harley enter the base property. I had no idea that a dog on a leash in a vehicle would not be allowed on base. I was not having a good day. I was able to walk with a cane but wasn't very steady. The temperature was at least 90 degrees F. There was no place with shade to leave Harley in the van. N.A.S.A. officials volunteered to take me where I wanted to go on the base, but Harley had to stay behind. I was parked in a handicap space just outside the gate with my blue handicap tag hanging from the rear view mirror. I went in a N.A.S.A. truck to one of the warehouses for a very few minutes and called for a ride back. During that few minutes phone calls had been made to Goddard Space Center near Washington and to Johnson Space Center near Houston. Top brass had decided to change the rules and allow any type of assistance dog onto all N.A.S.A. facilities with a handicapped visitor and to permit assistance dogs to accompany the visitor into any building where the visitor would be allowed to go. Harley and I went in my van to the other warehouse with no trouble. I left Harley in the van in a shady spot just outside the warehouse which was a mile or so inside the base.. Harley and I have been going to obedience school. Harley has learned to "BRACE" on command. If I fall or for some other reason need assistance in getting on my feet, Harley will stand still and provide something for me to use to push myself up. Harley is estimated to be almost half shepherd, almost half collie, and of undetermined breed(s) for what's left. The humane shelter said he would not grow any larger but they lied. He can put his paws on my shoulders and lick me [a little over 6 feet tall] in the face. Will Johnnston A.P.D.A. DelMarVA Chapter Pres. 4049 Oakland School Road Salisbury MD 21804 USA 410-543-0110