need advice about my service dog

Post Reply New Topic

*edit I now realize that perhaps this should go in the social skills section. maybe. I don't know. I'm new, forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

I have a service dog and she helps me so much, my life has gotten so much better since I got her its truly remarkable. Because she is of a smaller size many people doubt me when I say she is a service dog, I get hassled by people like security guards and store owners, though surprisingly I don't get hassled much in restaurants. Legally the only question they can ask is "is that a service dog?" and "what are they trained to do to help with your disability?" Usually people are rude from the beginning rather than asking me the questions nicely, if they bother asking at all(more often they just yell at me that I can't have my dog in there.) Sometimes I can talk, but sometimes I am non-verbal. I've printed off a card that says she is a service dog and is trained to "cue me to use strategies to prevent and interrupt escalations related to my neurological disability" but many people refuse to read it out right(a bus driver actually said to me "I have to hear you say it." yep, he ordered a non-verbal person to speak. . .) and if they do read it they shoot back at me "That's not a service dog, that's an emotional support dog." which is the same thing they say if I fumble my words trying to explain in detail the exact tasks she is trained to do. Basically, these are uneducated or badly educated people who flatly believe I am I liar. When I'm able to be verbal I can defend myself, but how do I do so when I'm non-verbal? Even on days I'm feeling super verbal, these people spark my intense flight instinct and I just want to be left alone. I have actually begged them to leave me alone, "I'm not doing well and I'd really like to be left alone." but they then attack me more saying they would be happy to, but that I need to leave. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to write. Does anyone have suggestions?

If you use the card mostly when you are nonverbal, then you could print, "I AM NONVERBAL", in large letters on the back and just flip it over. If they are still ignoring it, then point at your throat, shake your head "no", and point to the card.

You could try changing the wording of your dog's tasks. Medical alert service dog teams (for seizures, migraines, diabetes, allergies, etc.) use terms like "alert" instead of "cue", and "attacks" instead of "escalations". I am not encouraging you to intentionally mislead them, but to emphasize to them that it is a service dog, not an emotional support dog. Unfortunately, many people still do not know the difference.

If people refuse to read the card and you are unable to speak then there's not really that much you can do without an advocate who can speak for you.

I agree with Knofskia; convey that you are nonverbal in as few words as possible, and as prominently as possible on your card. Hopefully that should get them to actually read it.

Make the important parts stand out (bold, larger font, different colour font, etc), and try to keep those important points as short as possible, so that people can read them quickly.

Personally, I would make sure that the card sticks as close to relevant legal wording as possible outside of those highlighted important parts (example):
"A business may only legally ask the following two questions about a service dog:
1) question: answer.
2) question: answer."
Depending on how much room you have, maybe add the legal penalties/fines in your jurisdiction for faking a service dog on there. The legal talk and the penalties show you've done your research, and that you know what the downside is for faking and getting caught.

Exactly. Show them that you know the medical and legal terms, your rights and their rights under the law, and the consequences to either person for not following it.

Hi FightAgainstMisfortune. Sorry to see you're having such problems. My wife has had similar experiences.

You don't mention where you're located, but you will probably have to contact the local authorities (city or county) about the way they approach you having a Service Dog. They will possibly require you to have a pet license and perhaps a separate Service Dog license. You also don't identify yourself as being on the spectrum, aside from sometimes being non-verbal, but your doctor will know the proper wording for your application.

The first thing I would suggest is to read all you can about the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) and discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor's letter will spell out for any authorities, exactly why he/she is recommending a Service Dog for your welfare. Then you will be prepared, as my wife was when the following incident happened:

At local big chain grocery store. Assistant manager present: "Hey! You can't have that dog in here...get him out of here right now." (Dog is large black German Shepherd)
(Wife) "This is my Service Dog, and he's allowed in the store."
(AM) "I don't care what you say; get him out of here or I'll call the police."
(Wife) "Then please do so.....The fine for interference with the ADA 'starts' at $1,500.00."

At this point the asst. manager backs off completely (this could also be written on a card). Later we got a full apology from the store's General Manager during which he also asked if we had any suggestions so this wouldn't happen to others....very nice touch.

But without your doctor's agreement and letter you will have problems convincing people of your dog's Service Dog status. This is "The Key." I hope you can gain your doctor's assistance. It helps strengthen everyone's right to have a Service Dog without unnecessary interference.

P.S. A store owner or other can ONLY ask you if your dog is a Service Dog.

The "mistaken" idea they can ask you about what service your dog performs is caused by the ADA being changed slightly so "a person working for a government entity" MAY ask that question (especially when applying for a Service Dog license).

I hope these ideas help.

The reason the card is ignored is because so many people scam the system. I have a friend who printed out a letter, on her doctor friend's letter head, saying her tiny dog is a service dog. B and S. She just wants to drag her dog around every where.

You can buy service dog vests online. You can pay to get a faux statement about how your pet is a therapy animal.

With so many people scamming to get their way, it hurts the people who pay money for an actual service dog/pet.

So when you get the near fatal eye roll when you walk in with your service pet, it's because no one believes they are legitimate any more. I have had retailers tell me that. The only ones they believe are leader dogs for the blind, dogs for hearing impaired, and people in wheelchairs who's dogs fetch them thing. Anything else is yeah, right.

My psychiatrist offered to write me a note, that my toy breed size dog is a service dog due to my bipolar disorder. My dog is a good dog. She helps my mood (don't all pets do?), but my dog wasn't trained to do anything special. Since my state has no regulations on what a service dog is/training, anyone can claim anything. You just need a willing doctor to write for it.

Sorry you got hassled. Humanity sucks.

The most effective similar card I've read said something like this:

Hi, I have (xyz) and sometimes have trouble talking.

This is (dog name). He or she is is a service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He or she is trained to do the following actions for me:
1. thing one
2. thing two
3. thing three

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division,Disability Rights Section
http://www.ada.gov/

I am not trying to pick on you, Tawaki, but this is a great example of my point. Someone using terms like these is a clue that they are not a legitimate service dog team. Service dogs are not the same as emotional support animals, therapy dogs, working dogs, or pets.

http://www.psychdogpartners.org/resourc ... tions/laws

In my state, there is absolutely no difference legally between a service dog (Leader dog for the Blind) or me getting a doctor's note saying my dog is trained to do (x) when my anxiety gets out of control. Everyone uses the term service dog here, even when the dog is truly a therapy dog. (I happen to agree with you).

Legally, if I have a legitimate doctor's note, I'm good to go. The stores have to let me in, and rent to me if I push the issue for housing. There are trainers around here that will sign off that your dog is trained to do (x).

There is no federal or state agreement on what a service dog is other that it is "trained" to proved a service.There are no federal or state guidelines for what training should take place. There are no laws on who is even qualified to do the training.

That $80K service dog who is trained to alert the owner for seizures has no more rights under the law (in my state), then someone saying their Chihuahua is trained to jump in their laps if the dog senses the anxiety is escalating.

My state has tried for years to get something writing on service dog training. What should be the training and who should do it? Everyone screamed bloody murder. We don't want to be regulated. We can govern ourselves. Welp...now you have guinea pigs wearing service animal vests. I saw that at a comic convention a few weeks ago. *shrug*

The big loop hole is this..

This is (animal name ). He or she is is a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He or she is trained to do the following actions for me:
1. thing one
2. thing two
3. thing three

I changed dog to animal because miniature horses are service animals now.

If I am a business, and a person rolls with an animal in a vest, I can only ask them the above. I can't asked who trained it. In my state there is a voluntary registration of service animals, but no one does it.

So...why stir stuff up? If the person is crazy enough to buy a vest online, and have a doctor's note, do I want to tangle with them? No. Do I want to insult the person that paid $80K for the dog that senses seizure? No. All I can do is hope everything is uneventful. That they hopefully buy something and leave.

I think that I agree with you, Tawaki. Maybe I just use the terms differently.

A service dog is a dog that is individually trained to mitigate his handler's disability. It does not matter whether they are trained by an expensive program or owner trained. It only matters that the dog is behaved in public and does work or tasks to mitigate his handler's disability.

A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection and comfort to other people (not the handler) in schools, hospitals, nursing homes... It only matters that the dog has the right temperament and basic obedience. The handler does not have the same right to bring the dog into public places (other than where the dog works/volunteers).

Here's the difference: Actual highly trained service dogs do not misbehave in public. They do not eliminate on the floor, they do not engage people for the most part other than their human partner. The two are trained together and that dog is *working* - they are trained to work, and then be released so they can do dog stuff.

If a dog eliminates on the floor, misbehaves, eats or touches something it shouldn't, barks or whines, etc., inside a store, it has not been trained as a service dog. At that point it is up the business manager/owner to ask the person to leave. They do take a risk, but if they document that the dog was not trained to behave it is usually sufficient.

*I'm using 'dog' only because I'm most familiar with trained service dogs & the very real problems caused by people who assume that any dog can be a trained service dog. They can't. Being able to behave themselves in public is crucial.

It is not your job to have to educate persons about service dog law.

Have index sized cards. One side: NONVERBAL

Other side have printed the service dog law for your state. Look it up and copy it by number and exact wording. Also the wording for interfering with a service dog and that penalty.

Then go about your life. Keep a camera with you. If somebody questions you, give them a card. If they insist after that on kicking you out, take a few pictures, and leave. Then sue.

The good news is that you can turn other ppl's rude ignorance into help for you.

I used to try to educate but no more, too many rude ppl and too much dangerous stupidity out there. The law regarding service dogs has been out for a very long time.

Where I live you have to a doctor's note which you present to whoever asks.

Could you get a special jacket for your dog that indicates she is working, like a jacket with a first aid marker on it or a special collar?

Try getting a high visibility harness for your dog which says "service dog" on it. I've seen service dogs with a bright orange harness that has service dog written on it in white lettering. On your card mention that you have autism which sometimes causes you to be non-verbal. If your dog has some sort of registered liscense number for your service dog I would add that to the card as well.

I have heard therapy dog phrase used both ways, and by people who should know better. First is dogs that are used in hospital, nursing homes etc. I have heard doctors and people say therapy dog when they really mean service dog.

The great unwashed can't drag a dog that is barely leash trained and barks and say it's a service dog. That is beyond obvious. The women who's dog got the scam service dog vest, her dog has earned the AKC Good Citizen certificate. That dog is totally leash trained blah blah blah...but it isn't a service dog. It has obedience training, and has competed in obedience trials.

The guy at the comic convention said as long as the animal doesn't raise hell or poo or to tinkle everywhere, he didn't care if people brought in a giraffe. It's not worth the hassle. His bosses say since the state doesn't let them ask anything about the training, screw it. Many true service dogs do not use a harness, and people can buy those too, so that means nothing.

The only people who play hard ball on the service animals are landlords. The last place I lived, you had to provide proof the animal was actually trained. Probably against the law, but this landlord had deep pockets and called many people's bluff.

I wish the OP lived by me. Everyone is so burnt out the service animal deal, they wouldn't say boo to you.

Like the white cane indicating blindness or other vision impairment, the blaze orange service dog vest, collar, and leash are supposed to indicate deafness or other hearing loss. Though most of the public is unaware of that fact. I do not believe that there are any official colors for the other types of service dogs.