[NAGDU] Refused at medical office

Fri Dec 21 01:35:59 UTC 2018

It is a burden of the people in charge to ask if the dog is a service dog. If your answer is yes, then the next question is what service does the dog perform.  I hope you will all read Marion's message as it goes into considerable detail about this issue.
Thank you.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Danielle Sykora via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2018 7:32 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Danielle Sykora <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Refused at medical office

Service dogs are not allowed in sterile environments; however, they must be truly sterile. Service dogs are not permitted in the OR or typically burn units where mask/gloves/other procedures are necessary. Exam rooms are definitely not sterile environments. Generally, if you can walk in with your normal clothes and shoes, your service dog can accompany you.
I believe Peter uses a guide dog and his wife uses a non-guiding service dog, correct me if I’m wrong. Most service dogs do not wear guide harnesses, and it is unfair to say that a dog must wear a guide harness or discrimination is acceptable. 
Danielle, Thai, and Jackie  

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 20, 2018, at 7:19 PM, Sandra Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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