[nagdu] Public places demanding my guide dog is not a service dogwithout a vest

[Applebutter Hill]

Bridget,
Two suggestions. First, for the mall; they all have a central office,
someone who manages the mall. Ask to speak to the manager and ask them to
send out a reminder that guide dogs are protected by federal law and where
harnesses. In fact, I don't think any of the service dogs have to have vests
under the ADA. I have a PDF that DOJ prepared for businesses that even says
that not all service dogs are required to wear leashes, just that they must
be under voice command.

The second thing would be to write a letter to the editor of your local
papers explaining that you have had numerous problems at local businesses
and reminding them of the law and your desire to go about your business
without being hassled. Make sure you find out what their maximum word count
is before sending.

Also, you are right that the questions are for when it isn't obvious and
guide dog harnesses were always thought to be obvious. Maybe people are just
getting more oblivious to their surroundings.
HTH,
Donna


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridget Walker
via nagdu
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 7:11 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Public places demanding my guide dog is not a service
dogwithout a vest

Hi all,
I have had an interesting month or so. I'm not sure what is going on in the
area I attend school but, more and more people have the expectation to see
any type of service dog in a vest and if they are not they do not think the
dog is real. At first I thought it was just on my college campus because we
have another person with a medical alert dog. I just thought people saw that
dog and got confused and I just explained why a guide dog has a harness.
Last night I went to a local mall. On the way there I took a taxi. The
driver at first thought he was going to get away with not providing me with
a ride. I had to show the back of my GEB ID where it says guide dogs are
protected by federal law.
When I got to the mall it was like an interrogation everywhere I went. Some
workers walked up and just asked if Paulson was a service dog. I gave a
confer nation and we went on our way. Other places specifically IHOP being
one and mall security being another wanted to know why I had Paulson.
I'm really wondering the ADA states you ask the two questions of is this a
service dog and what tasks does it do only when it is not clear what the dog
does not the disability is.
How can I stop these people from questioning me?
Some stores said my dog needed a vest that he was not properly marked. J
explained guide dogs have a harness that is the equipment they use.
I want to be able to go places in my community without playing this game.
Bridget

Sent from my iPhone
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