Refused entry with service dog

[bcla]

We treat the vest as such. My kids are taught that those dogs are working and we are to never bother the owner. Now some owners may not mind--but I cannot fathom why people think a vested dog is an invitation for interaction. They should know better.

I don't know about "never bothering the owner". Most people wanted to be treated equally. It's not as if someone with a service dog wants to be shut out of the world and not treated like anyone else. If there's something interesting, there's no reason why someone can't talk to a person with a service animal where a similar person without an animal might strike up a conversation.

The important thing is to not interfere with the service animal unless expressly told it's OK. The dog I mentioned earlier wasn't identified, but the owner was OK with telling others it was a service dog. I got to handle it. Just because it's a service dog doesn't mean that it doesn't think like a dog. They crave affection just like family pets. They have training to fight their instincts to "be a dog" but any working animal is a family pet when it gets home; eventually they need to be retired, and I understand many are kept as pets even with a new dog. Of course when their service is needed, any kind of contact needs to be broken off so they can do their job.

 

[DizBelle]

Based on what?

I know a solid dozen people with trained service animals. (Including my aunts litte horse!) I know none who make claims that their animal is a service animal but not. And I work with a lot of groups of people. Lol I "know" far too many people.

It just seems way tok easy to throw out statements like this that are in no way based on fact.

I did say it was a "guess". It's only based on my observations.

 

[Burnedout]

I did say it was a "guess". It's only based on my observations.

You know that many people who are fakers? Really?

 

[North of Mouse]

More managers of public accommodations covered by the ADA need to have the "stones" to ask the two permitted questions when it isn't readily apparent what work or tasks the dog performs.

Take a look at this . . . http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7d97f8a1-d1ba-43b7-9ec7-db4c05b508e7 . . . The questions do work.

There are some 'brazen' people out there, and there should be more like this security guy asking the questions they are allowed to ask, and catching the frauds or fakers - whichever they may be.

Also, seems to me that the op's mom reading the 'rules' out loud to all the customers was definitely not the right way to go about enforcement. The patrons were evidently trying to have a nice relaxing meal and should not have been interrupted like that. No matter what her husband's rights were, she was rude and wrong IMO. This should have been directed to the manager only.

 

[JLC44]

More managers of public accommodations covered by the ADA need to have the "stones" to ask the two permitted questions when it isn't readily apparent what work or tasks the dog performs.

Take a look at this . . . http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7d97f8a1-d1ba-43b7-9ec7-db4c05b508e7 . . . The questions do work.

That is great. I have never been asked by a place of business what task he is trained to perform to determine if he should be allowed access. Not once.

That link does not say but I hope she was charged and convicted under California law for fraudulent representation of a service dog. That should be what happened and that should have been a big news story. That is how you prevent people from faking. Show that you are enforcing the law and people are actually getting up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1000 fine.

 

[livndisney]

Based on what?

I know a solid dozen people with trained service animals. (Including my aunts litte horse!) I know none who make claims that their animal is a service animal but not. And I work with a lot of groups of people. Lol I "know" far too many people.

It just seems way tok easy to throw out statements like this that are in no way based on fact.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...0130807_1_service-dog-dog-walk-service-animal

http://www.dailybreeze.com/social-a...rports-and-other-public-buildings-experts-say

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Pushing-back-against-fake-service-animals-257595691.html

http://www.kesq.com/news/fake-service-dogs-a-real-problem/26743136
(Today's news)

Introducing bills to stop the issue of fake service animals
http://khon2.com/2014/01/24/new-bill-targets-fake-service-dogs/

 

[Unas]

That is great. I have never been asked by a place of business what task he is trained to perform to determine if he should be allowed access. Not once.

That link does not say but I hope she was charged and convicted under California law for fraudulent representation of a service dog. That should be what happened and that should have been a big news story. That is how you prevent people from faking. Show that you are enforcing the law and people are actually getting up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1000 fine.

Is your situation one where the fact he is a service dog is readily apparent?

 

[JLC44]

Is your situation one where the fact he is a service dog is readily apparent?

No it is not, though he has an Autism puzzle piece collar and a large Autism Service Dog patch with the puzzle piece ribbon on his vest. He does "look like a service dog" as he is a golden retriever.

We have heard that I am blind fairly often (which is a little disheartening since I paid so much for corrective eye surgery, and especially confusing hearing it while I am intently watching, cheering, and commenting on a volleyball match), that I am training him to help blind people, that I am training him to help people with disabilities, and that I am a veteran (cause I shave my head maybe?). So even with the patch it is still not obvious.

One thing we have noticed, I am the primary handler, the dog is for my son, when I have him businesses very rarely say anything at all. When I am not there and his mother is the handler she is more likely to get told that dogs are not allowed. I don't know if it is just mere coincidence, if it is that more places think maybe I am a veteran so dont want to say anything, or if it is that they think men are less likely to fake a service dog then women. Would make for an interesting study though.

Here is a picture so you can see what I mean. Keep in mind he heels on my left side so the patch is on the side that faces me. http://prntscr.com/3yksnj

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know about "never bothering the owner". Most people wanted to be treated equally. It's not as if someone with a service dog wants to be shut out of the world and not treated like anyone else. If there's something interesting, there's no reason why someone can't talk to a person with a service animal where a similar person without an animal might strike up a conversation.

The important thing is to not interfere with the service animal unless expressly told it's OK. The dog I mentioned earlier wasn't identified, but the owner was OK with telling others it was a service dog. I got to handle it. Just because it's a service dog doesn't mean that it doesn't think like a dog. They crave affection just like family pets. They have training to fight their instincts to "be a dog" but any working animal is a family pet when it gets home; eventually they need to be retired, and I understand many are kept as pets even with a new dog. Of course when their service is needed, any kind of contact needs to be broken off so they can do their job.

Let me clarify--we do not bother the owner to interact with the dog. We don't ask to pet the dog or play with the dog.

I didn't mean to imply that we ignore the owner.

My kids are also taught not to even touch a (non-service) dog without permission of the owner because you never know what the dog is comfortable with or even the owner. Since I taught them to always ask--that is why I taught them About vested dogs and to not ask.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There are some 'brazen' people out there, and there should be more like this security guy asking the questions they are allowed to ask, and catching the frauds or fakers - whichever they may be.

Also, seems to me that the op's mom reading the 'rules' out loud to all the customers was definitely not the right way to go about enforcement. The patrons were evidently trying to have a nice relaxing meal and should not have been interrupted like that. No matter what her husband's rights were, she was rude and wrong IMO. This should have been directed to the manager only.

I disagree. They were being illegally treated.

I would guess that is highly upsetting. I don't fault her at all. On my phone so cannot view the OP at the moment, but were customers wanting the dog removed? If they in any way indicated that , then too bad if their meal was disrupted. ETA: a follow up post by OP said that patrons threatened to leave. If true, then they deserved to be educated during their peaceful meal. I have no sympathy for them. Good for the person for speaking up.

 

[eyehartdisney]

Update:
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/l...s-service-denied-service-restaurant/12558359/

It made the front page of our paper, and has been picked up by several other papers.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Update:
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/l...s-service-denied-service-restaurant/12558359/

It made the front page of our paper, and has been picked up by several other papers.

I posted on the thread previously/ I know all about the training your Dad & his dog are undergoing. I hope they are doing well.

That being said, I am going to take another point of view, and we are a military family with someone who also suffers from PTSD so I am understanding.

My feeling is if our family member were to get one of these dogs here is what we would do. Now I realize that by law Cooper does not have to wear a vest. Why not get one though ? I would be sewing badges all over that vest in re: to Navy Seals, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, whatever you get the drift.

There is so much controversy over real and phony why not up the ante' in your favor? If only from a PR POV ? Could have even taken a whole different turn of atmosphere in the restaurant to begin with.

Thank him again for his service and thank YOU for coming back and updating

 

[Tozzie]

Update:
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/l...s-service-denied-service-restaurant/12558359/

It made the front page of our paper, and has been picked up by several other papers.

Nice article, that manager tried to talk her way out of it from saying it was a mis communication to you didn't have a reservation to she was under the assumption the dog had to wear a vest. As a manager it is her job to know the laws that affect the business she is managing.

Beautiful dog!

I hope your dad is doing okay!

 

[Mokat76]

Removed

 

[sasywtch]

You know that many people who are fakers? Really?

It wasn't me that said a lot of fakers, but I know of 3 in my little neighborhood.

I honestly fail to see why those with a service animal would not push for the identifying vest/badge/or whatever to show a legitimately trained animal. I happen to suffer from panic attacks and had agoraphobia where I couldn't leave the house. 1. I would be proud for my dog to have an identifying marker visable and 2. it would eliminate any questions anyone had. I know that I'd rather have more regulations so that people wouldn't question either out loud or behind my back.

Because of this thread, I was talking at lunch with 20 coworkers and all but 2 had said they are seeing more and more dogs and wondering if they are real service dogs. So I know it's not just me.

 

[mguilford1]

I think it is great that thru the paper you are able to make people aware of the law. Like I said when I previously posted, I knew what the law was when I was told years ago, but things change and I was not updated in 2010. Reading a similar article in my local newspaper I immediately called the Local Health inspector for an updated copy of the law and shared the information with my associates. I hope that you have no further problems when you go out.