[NFBWATlk] Landmark Hotel Orcas Island

[Michael Forzano]

Hey Allison, Sorry this happened. I'd also consider sending an email to the
National Association of Guide Dog Users list. The part about the hotel
trying to use the airlines new documentation requirement as an excuse to
ask for paperwork is concerning. I think the NAGDU board would be
interested to know that this is already occurring.

A Yelp/Trip Advisor review could be useful as well, particularly mentioning
that they apparently don't clean their comforters during a pandemic...

Mike

On Mon, Mar 8, 2021 at 11:40 AM Judy Jones via NFBWATlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hello, Allison,
>
> You go!  You did all the right things, and good for you for not letting
> this lady bully you, but don't let her upset you either.  She needs
> education, and make sure to be in touch with your chapter President, and
> our state President, Marci Carpenter about this incident.
>
> All of us who have  or have had dogs all have our own discrimination
> stories to tell.  The ones I have had have turned out successful.
>
> Depending on what Marci thinks, I would also report the incident to your
> guide dog school.
>
> I would have loved to have seen her reaction, had you asked her if the
> comforters are being cleaned as a Covid preventative.  😊
>
> Judy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBWATlk <nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Allison Mello
> via NFBWATlk
> Sent: Sunday, March 7, 2021 8:45 PM
> To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Allison Mello <laura.allison.n at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NFBWATlk] Landmark Hotel Orcas Island
>
> Hello,
>
> My name is Allison Mello.
>
> I am new to this list.
>
> This past weekend my husband and I stayed with some friends at the
> Landmark hotel on Orcas Island.
>
> Upon check out, the manager called my friend who made the reservation and
> inquired whether an animal had stayed with us.
>
> She answered that it was a guide dog. The phone was passed to me. I spoke
> with the rude and pugnacious manager. She asked if I had a service animal
> and what kind of service animal it was. I said that yes I had a service
> animal and that he was a guide dog.
>
> She asked what a guide dog does, and then cut me off during my reply
> saying, "oh, a guide dog. I know."
>
> She demanded proof. Paperwork. A copy of his card. She said that it was
> required for airlines, so it was required for them.
>
> I informed her that airlines are part of a different law, and that it is
> illegal to ask for any paperwork.
>
> She started to try and educate me on the difference between an emotional
> support animal and a service animal. We hung up. She sent a threatening
> email demanding proof and saying the consequence for not complying was a
> $200 fee.
>
> I informed her of the language in Title II of the ADA, to which she
> responded by saying that people with service animals don't understand the
> work it takes hotel cleaning staff, and that they would need to clean the
> comforters.
>
> This brings so many things to light. One, obviously I know how to clean
> after my dog. Two, these are the routine issues a public accommodation has
> to deal with. Three, in a pandemic why aren't they cleaning their
> comforters anyways?
>
> I am angry. I am upset. And I think other dog handlers need to be aware.
>
>
>
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