OT sort of

[HVAC]

I met the STUPIDEST woman in the world today. She walked up to me and said "Excuse me are you really disabled or are you one of those people who puts a Service Dog Vest on your dog so you can take her everywhere? My friends do it all the time." I was mad. I said that is not a question you ask a disabled person". You should tell your friends that is a very bad thing to do" . She huffed "Well there are all kinds of reasons to need a service dog" I said no there are not. I am on the Service Committee for the State and your friends are making it bad for all those who have certified Service Dogs. After I thought may be your friends will be lucky like me and possibly lose their sight, the use of their hands, and the use of their legs. I apologized for yelling at her, now I am not sure why.

Alex

[twopack]

Hey Alex.  Maybe you apologized because despite her offensive approach you realized she is one of the millions in the general public who need educated about the proper use of specialized parking.  It's unfortunate but sometimes we're the best (or only) ones out there who are going to do that.

I posted a picture on my profile of a Mastiff service dog.  I met man and canine at the last MS Walk when my son's wife introduced us.  She serves at a restaurant where the man is a frequent patron.

Mary

[COBOB]

Interesting that NS requires an ID.  CA, CO and the ADA do not.  This is one of the issues.  It was a bigger hassle to get a Blue Placard.  I have Gideon on record with the VA just in case.

Bob

[HVAC]

This woman does not have Emotion issues, well may be she does to do something this stupid. Like a friend of mine she just likes to take her dog everywhere. My friend even took her puppy poodles to an Arlington Funeral!  My brother and I whose parents are buried there thought that was the most repulsive thing in the world. I was waiting for one of them to take a dump on a service person's grave. It was weird having them sniffing graves while the honor guard was doing the ceremony.

I am on the State Board for NC and anyone can get a Dr's note. Some wanted people to have to go through Vocational Rehab to prove Disability for Service Dog Certification. I fought against this since it causes undue hardship on Disabled people. We have enough hassle in our lives.

Anyone can go on the internet and get a vest that says Service Dog and a real looking ID with the dog's picture and a copy of the ADA rules.

NC's I.ds and tags are not flashy.

Alex

[essdipity]

Alex, I agree she was a total ***.  What did she expect you to say? 'Oh, you're right, you sleuth, you. I'm really just faking it for the fun of it.' No one who actually was faking it would admit to it anyway.

It's too bad that some people, a very few, are selfish enough to fake such a thing, but that woman sounds like just the type to attract such so-called friends.

Let's all give a big raspberry to that idiot, and then help Alex to consider the source and forget the whole thing.

ess

[Lulu54]

That is pretty stupid, Alex and it sounds like you were justified in losing it with her.   You should be angry about not only a question like that but also that people are abusing the system. I know it is wrong, but I often wonder about all the people with handicap placards.  I see some very fit looking people literally dashing into stores to shop who are taking those front row spots.  

Unfortunately the people who are scamming the system are causing problems for all the people with legitimate needs.  

[rendean]

How rude of the person in the store!! It reminds me of time I kept dropping the yogurts and the woman next to me asked "what is your problem!"  When I answered MS she continued to harass. Some people just don't get it.

Sorry you had to go through this.

Bob , I'm glad things are going well with Gideon, especially with his size : )

Ren

[COBOB]

It is becoming a big issue.  Many states do not require any kind of certification.  I have also been in the position of explaining to some people that their "Emotional Support Animals" (ESA) are allowed access in some places by city ordnance (like San Francisco,) but they are not service animals or working animals and not covered by the ADA.  

Gideon (who is now about 110 lbs.) has flown 4 times on Southwest.  There was close to a riot when someone with an ESA didn't have a letter from a mental health professional dated within a year was told the dog could not ride in the cabin.  She had a fit that Gideon was there and she wanted to see "his letter."  I explained that he is a service animal in training, and not an ESA and doesn't require a letter.  

There is a great deal of "scamming the system" going on.  Too many folks with ESAs that misunderstand that they are not covered by the ADA.  There is also additional confusion that has been caused by "Psychiatric Service Dogs" (PSD) vs. "Emotional Support Animals" (ESA).  Denver has a large VA population and 10 years of war has left a number of folks with PTSD using Psychiatric Service Dogs.

I was recently approached about the possibility of training a miniature horse as a balance service animal.  With a working lifespan of 30-40 years, a miniature horse service animal might well outlive me.  Living on a small ranch in Colorado, I have more than enough room and facilities for a miniature horse.

Bob