Has anyone with a service dog had issues taking the dog into some establishments?

2015-03-28T01:11:48-04:00

Response by SGT Corey Molinelli made Mar 28 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-03-28T22:16:37-04:00

Only with the uninformed. I've calmly explained the law in a friendly way. And that was it. Most still think of service dogs as for the blind only. One other problem I did have was from a cab driver taking me to the airport. He was trying to shake me down for cash to clean hair left by my dog. We called his company. I agreed to pay $10 but he wouldn't take my card. Wanted o my cash. He was scamming me. Or trying to

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 28 at 2015 10:25 PM

2015-03-28T22:25:52-04:00

Depends on where you are.

This is not intended to spark a debate between what is legitimate or not, just highlight that many many more people are getting dogs registered as service dogs.

From service dogs, to emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, to various other "flavors" they are just much more common than they were 20 years ago. Because of this, there are "some" people who attempt to abuse the system, and that creates a negative reaction.

So, what you experience in TX will be much different than in LA, or here in DC Metro.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Mar 31 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-03-31T13:03:15-04:00

Yes, one time in Kansas. I went out to eat with some other traumatized vets and apparently one of the civilian patrons had an allergy so bad she thought she'd die. I have a well groomed Pomeranian who performs several services in addition to being an emotional support dog. He was in a transport much like a gym bag, and silent. I tried pointing out the law and presented copies from my doctor and the regs about ADA and service dogs. I got kicked out anyway. Needless to say, I haven't gone back and I had the support of my friends. (And I wondered if anyone else had any animal dander or hair sticking to their clothing, because if it was that bad...) I got absolute acceptance and support in AZ and with the airlines.