[nagdu] Public places demanding my guide dog is not a service dog without a vest

[Marion Gwizdala]

Bridget,

	Please feel free to give me a call to discuss this issue at your
convenience. My contact information is below my signature.


Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
(888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
President at nagdu.org
http://www.nagdu.org

High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!



-----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 dog
without 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
_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.net