Service dog denied at Walmart

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by moz205

I personally think the law needs to be looked at as I am sure there are people that would want to bring their dogs with them anywhere they go. All they have to do is buy a vest, easily available online. They should have a doctors note just like with handicap parking. Just because we don't "see" the disability doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Again, the issue is not whether or not this woman has a true disability whom none of us are privy to state, but the law was not abided by. As the law states now, SHE did nothing against it.

That is a good point. Bucky has visited nursing homes and he wears his "Pets On Wheels" bandana when doing so.

But I don't take him to Wal-Mart on the way home and go shopping.

[moz205]

What a great name-Pets on Wheels, I love it! No most of us don't take our pets to Wal Mart or any other store other than a pet store I guess. I am sure Bucky brings smiles to everyone!

[Bucky's Mom]

I think it is a great idea so that people don't abuse the "service dog" designation to have a medical card to show to any authority that asks to see it.

Regardless of breed or disability

[JoJo]

Well after reading the link that Bucky's Mom provided and watching the video, I'm totalling stunned. Like I said before, I just can't believe Wal Mart would be that stupid. I guess I stand corrected. I truly believe it's not Wal Mart's policy to discriminate, but it sure looks like they lack proper training to their employees. I'm also amazed that this hasn't hit the airwaves across the country, just because it is Wal Mart.

Chloe's owner is just as passionate about her breed of choice as we are about our Rottweilers. What a way to educate people about BSL. Maybe we all should buy vests for our well trained and socialized dogs and enter stores and see what type of reaction we would get with our Rotties! A two for one news story! Just kidding folks but it was a thought. I just wish the video interview would have added that not only train and socialize your dogs, but also stay away from BYB and puppy mills who don't breed for temperament. Understandably, Chloe was a rescue and not knowing his background but then add that responsible rescues also foster and do temperament tests. Oh well, can't get everything in a 2 minute interview.

I will sign that petition now, and it's really a mute subject on what type of disability she has. That's not the point of this topic at all. And to be perfectly honest, if it was I who had a service dog, it wouldn't be anyones business why I need the dog. All they need to know is that I have one!

[moz205]

Sorry I may have been getting testy earlier but was trying to get a point across. Believe me, being in the medical field for over 25 yrs has shown me people who take total advantage of everything they can so I am not clueless as to whether or not this is a truly needed service dog. There definitely should be firmer guidelines in the law for everybody's safety. Not only should the owner have a medical document supporting this need but the dog should have certification. Hubby and I would never turn away a service dog from our establishment and would more than welcome them.

[Baxter's Mom]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Well after reading the link that Bucky's Mom provided and watching the video, I'm totalling stunned. Like I said before, I just can't believe Wal Mart would be that stupid. I guess I stand corrected. I truly believe it's not Wal Mart's policy to discriminate, but it sure looks like they lack proper training to their employees. I'm also amazed that this hasn't hit the airwaves across the country, just because it is Wal Mart.

Chloe's owner is just as passionate about her breed of choice as we are about our Rottweilers. What a way to educate people about BSL. Maybe we all should buy vests for our well trained and socialized dogs and enter stores and see what type of reaction we would get with our Rotties! A two for one news story! Just kidding folks but it was a thought. I just wish the video interview would have added that not only train and socialize your dogs, but also stay away from BYB and puppy mills who don't breed for temperament. Understandably, Chloe was a rescue and not knowing his background but then add that responsible rescues also foster and do temperament tests. Oh well, can't get everything in a 2 minute interview.

I will sign that petition now, and it's really a mute subject on what type of disability she has. That's not the point of this topic at all. And to be perfectly honest, if it was I who had a service dog, it wouldn't be anyones business why I need the dog. All they need to know is that I have one!

I agree JoJo... I was getting a little P/offed at the direction of this thread... Chloe is a service dog in training, how do you train a "service dog in training?" Oh, oh, let's train the dog in the backyard!! Give me a break!! To train a service dog, the dog needs to be trained IN THE ENVIROMENT it's going to be working in for many years to come... I can not believe people are questioning HER RIGHT as owner/trainer and the dog to be in Walmart. Walmart is in the wrong, not the owner/trainer and the dog.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Baxter's Mom

I agree JoJo... I was getting a little P/offed at the direction of this thread... Chloe is a service dog in training, how do you train a "service dog in training?" Oh, oh, let's train the dog in the backyard!! Give me a break!! To train a service dog, the dog needs to be trained IN THE ENVIROMENT it's going to be working in for many years to come... I can not believe people are questioning HER RIGHT as owner/trainer and the dog to be in Walmart. Walmart is in the wrong, not the owner/trainer and the dog.

I have NO problem with a Service Dog in Training being in a Wal Mart - I just worry that anyone can order a vest a bring an untrained dog out and about under the heading of "Service Dog" (training or otherwise).

Just like I can't print out a handicap tag and hang it from my rear view mirror to get the "good parking" - I see nothing wrong with having some documentation to back-up a generic "Service Dog" vest.

[Baxter's Mom]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

I have NO problem with a Service Dog in Training being in a Wal Mart - I just worry that anyone can order a vest a bring an untrained dog out and about under the heading of "Service Dog" (training or otherwise).

Just like I can't print out a handicap tag and hang it from my rear view mirror to get the "good parking" - I see nothing wrong with having some documentation to back-up a generic "Service Dog" vest.

I have no problem with that, Lisa... but Chloe has her TT, CGC, and her therapy dog cert, so this dog and owner isn't some "flake".

[JoJo]

Chloe has her TT, CGC, and her therapy dog cert, so this dog and owner isn't some "flake".

That is so true, but I do have to agree with Bucky's Mom, some form of identification would help. But then again, if you all check the Rottweiler News Forum, we have the same scenerio going on right now with a Rottie!! And the disabled person DID have her SD certificate with her! So what I'm seeing in all this is that it boils down to plain discrimination against breeds. This is BSL in its full glory!!!

[seldown]

I am wondering what the difference is between a 'therapy dog' and a 'service dog'? Is it assumed a therapy dog has the same legal standings as a working service dog? This thread has me thinking about how does one prove or not prove their dog is a valid service dog. I know the seeing eye dog organizations have harnesses and id cards. There is extensive training before the dog is paired with their person and then more training. But there seems to be a lot of service dogs for various needs and therapy dogs. It could become an abused priviledge, not saying this case is, but I am thinking of the post recently of a german shepherd mix therapy dog that attacked a child. How intense are the trainings, socialiaztions etc for service and therapy dogs to ensure that dogs entering busy stores are not going to lunge at children, other service dogs, or become stressed in certain environments. Just because a dog can assist an owner with a need, does it make it a safe dog to be out in public? Just questions that have popped up in my mind as I read all the info on service dogs and what quailifes them as such.

[moz205]

Seldown, it looks like not all states have a certification for being a "service dog", "therapy dog" or whatever you would like to call them. That's the problem, you can buy a vest, patches and all sorts of things that you can just slap on a dog, any dog, and call them "service dog". These are freely sold on the internet. This does not mean they have training or anything else other than a vest bought by their owner somewhere. Seems a vest is all that is needed. The laws should be upgraded as stated above in other posts. Bottom line, there are many I am sure that are not socialized or have any training at all therefore, could pose a danger. Strict guidelines need to be put into force regarding this. Just my thoughts...

[Dugganmom]

My opinion is that walmart discrimanted(sp?) because the dog was a Pit Bull....If it had been a lab would the reaction have been the same? Who knows and probably not. The manager or whoever should not have said because the dog was a pit that it was vicious. I dont know why the dog was there to begin with but regardless of that I personally do not think they sould have said chloe had to leave.JMO!!!

[twomanydogs]

Walmart is destroying America. Why would any American shop there?
They are killing small towm USA faster than we will ever recover.
They go to a community,undercut all local retailers, shut them down and then...do them a favor by employing them. Walmart-Sams Club. Same thing.
Boycot them for many reasons.The next time you want to save 35 cents. Think about what you are doing to YOUR comminity.
Sorry..I will re-read the post and go back to the issue. But Darn it......

[angel girl]

The only thing I can think to add is:

If this woman is indeed just saying the dog is a service dog and it is in fact not one she better have a big bank account.

Faking having a service dog to gain entry into a business is punishable by a $10,000 fine.

If she is faking, which I don't believe, she either doesn't know this or is really, really dumb.

On the business management side, they are allowed to ask:

1) Are you disabled? (A business is not permitted to ask the nature of the disabilty).
2) Is the dog required because of a disability?
3) Is the dog trained to perform a task that mitigates a disability?

A business is not permitted to require proof of certification before admitting them.

"Therapy Dogs" such as those certified/tested by the Delta Society or St. John's Ambulance do NOT qualify as service dogs and are not afforded the same access rights.

Personally, I have had to have the Wal-Mart managers kick people out because they brought their purse stuffers in, but not five minutes later there is a guide dog snoozing under one of my tables while his handler had a bite to eat while out shopping. I hate seeing people trying to flaunt the rules about no pets, but I love seeing a dog being able to work for their kibble.

[Scottyrm3s]

wow. seeing how I am in a wheelchair since I was paralyzed from the chest down in the military this story is important. Jake is only 10 months and he accompanies me almost everywhere I go. He is outstanding in OB and also visits hospitals with me. I do however have a problem with people using any excuse like this woman does. I do not see why she needs a service dog. I mean I can move and I barely use jake, i mean he picks things up and stuff but i love my independance. I think ill have to bring him to some other places now and see what they say.