[NAGDU] Refused at medical office

[Sandra Johnson]

Peter:

It is not uncommon to have medical facilities say a dog cannot accompany a 
patient into a sterile area.  This is not discrimination but patient safety. 
I recently had this situation.  My doctor and staff are all aware that I am 
blind and that Eva is a guide dog.  However, the medical proceedure was 
being done in a sterile area therefore Eva could not accompany me.  I was 
asked if anyone was with me that could watch my dog.  When I informed them I 
was alone several staff members eagerly offered to watch her while I was in 
the sterile area.  Second, the dog is your guide dog, not your wife's. 
Therefore right of access with a service dog laws would not cover her 
wanting your dog with her.  Finally you did not say your dog was in a 
standard guide dog harness.  If she is not in harness, how is anyone 
supposed to know she is a trained guide dog.  Anyone can buy service dog 
gear online so the general public and any medical professionals cannot tell 
the difference.  This is why I and many others feel a government issued ID 
card for professionally trained guide and service dogs is what should be 
done.  I am tired of all the fake service dogs making my life difficult.  I 
know in your case the dog is necessary but it is important for you to be 
sure she can be identified as a guide dog not a pet.



-----Original Message----- 
From: Retina via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2018 6:32 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Retina
Subject: [NAGDU] Refused at medical office

Hi folks,

Will the legally informed of you please advise me…

My wife and I just went into an MD Aesthetician’s office to inquire about a 
procedure.  I had Metukah, and she had here service dog Kira.  On entering, 
the receptionist, instead of “hello,” said to us at the door, “Sorry, the 
dog will have to go outside”.  Andrea said, “She’s a service dog; by federal 
law she can he can be with me.”

The receptionist called over another who took over.  She asked a few 
operative questions about whether she had advance paperwork for the 
procedure.  As she did the room temperature dropped.  She followed that that 
Kira could not accompany her into an exam room, “because they are sterile.” 
This was curious, because we had recently visited a physician in a clinic up 
in Portland, where were inquiring as well in case the procedure might be 
done up there.  They had no issue in the lobby, or in the exam room.

In this case, when Andrea said in response that there should not be an issue 
and that by law she could accompany her in an exam room, (even if not 
specifically inside a surgical suite which might be understandable), frost 
formed on this receptionist and on the walls.

My wife said to me that she was uncomfortable, picked up the paperwork, and 
we left.  Too bad, because this physician was a wonderful man and a great 
doctor who once saved her life with emergency surgery.  We knew that since 
his career change to skin, he’d probably be one of the best locally.

We would like to do him the courtesy of writing an informational letter so 
that he learns what happened and has a chance to get his staff educated.  My 
wife said that she is considering filing a complaint with DOJ.  But before 
that, we should simply get clear information as it applies to this specific 
circumstance.  Can one of you who is clear on ADA with this specific type 
situation inform us?

Thanks,
Peter





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