[nagdu] service dogs and people's fears or allergies

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Yeah, thought so! I remember the stuff aroound guide dogs and taxi drivers 
and how they can't use "allergies" or fears to deny equal treatment or 
access.

My friend and I will explore this further - she's better at finding 
resources than I am!  Will let you all know what happens. BTW, this is in 
San Diego County.  This office is in La Mesa outside SD.  My friend went to 
this exact office in March of this year and they said nothing to her about 
being put into another room - they got her in and out quick.  I was there 
this past Friday, July 22nd.  So apparently, they aren't even consistant in 
their policy enforcement.

Absolutely, I am a considerate person and would try to sit away from anyone 
who was really allergic or scared of Landon.  Not long ago I was on the bus 
with some black muslim women. They were scared of Landon because they 
thought he was a pitbull!  I told them he was a Lab/Golden mix and they 
relaxed a bit more and they said he was so cute and well behaved.  I also 
told them that all pitbulls weren't bad - Landon has a pit friend who is 
kind and gentle and would make a great therapy dog.  Thesse women went from 
scared to smiling and laughing with enjoyment of Landon.  they didn't touch 
him, but Landon was working anyway and he didn't need to be touched by 
others.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] service dogs and people's fears or allergies


Lyn

Not Marion, but yes the county is violating the ADA.  Allergy does not trump
service dog.

I think we all need to be sensitive to others, but segregating you because a
guide dog is a direct violation of the spirit, letter, and intent of the
law.  You might consider writing the county to explore getting the policy
changed.


Best,


Michael Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
 "Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Lyn Gwizdak
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 10:43 AM
To: NFBnet NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] service dogs and people's fears or allergies

Hi Marion and all,
On Friday, I wwent to our local MediCal office to request a new MediCal card
to reflect my name change.  Before I went through the metal detector, the
security guard there told me that all people with service dogs would have to
sit in a seperate room with the dog and not in the large room where people
sit while waiting their turn at the window.  They said they had this policy
because people may have allergies or be afraid of dogs.  they said that this
was a directive from the County.

Another worker said that sinse the room wasn't full, they brought me a chair
to sit near the guard and metal detector to wait my turn sinse the window
was right there.  I sat there and soon my turn came, I took care of business
and left.

The workers there were coureous - even nice folks - and I think they thought
the policy rather stupid and they had no problem with dogs.

Has anyone else had a situation like this?  I did tell them that allergies
and fears didn't constitute an excuse for segregation of dog users from the
general public - the same thing that came up with the cab drivers and the
ADA.  Marion, is our County violating the ADA with this policy?

Lyn and Landon
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