Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Making Cents: Service Dog Access In Business


  Goodee the Service Dog why are you still hard at work on a bog?”
     “Well mom this is an important topic: what good is a Service Dog if people don’t let you use them?”
     “Right Goodee I wish I had thought of that. It’s important for everyone understand Service Dog access.”
     “The most important thing for people to understand mom is that Service Dogs are not just dogs.”
SERVICE DOG ACCESS
     “You are right Goodee. Let’s share an example:    
     If someone comes in a place of business and says they have a Service Dog then that dog is given a special status it is not a “pet.” The Service Dog must be allowed access to all areas you would allow members of the public to go.
     Team Goodee had a horrible experience when a hotel staff member kept telling us “Pets are not allowed.” We gestured to patches and explained that a Service Dog handler cannot be separated from their dog, the employee continued to insist: “but the dog is still a pet.”--- WRONG! “the dog” is a MEDICAL DEVICE and is NEVER a PET.  A dog identified as a Service Dog is specifically trained to assist the handler with a disability.   
WHEN IN DOUBT: ALLOW ACCESS
     “Mom how do people know a Service Dog when they see one?”
     “Good question Goodee!  Actually Service Dogs look just like any other dog.
There are people who fake Service Dogs and there are people who just want to bring their pets into a place of business. Most Service Dog handlers have signs or patches indicating the dog is a working service animal but, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) does not require signs or certificates
 A business owner inquiry is limited to:
1.     If the dog is a Service Dog
2.     What tasks the Service Dog does for the handler
3.     Is the handler disabled?
Please note: no one is allowed to ask the exact disability of the handler.
IT’S ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE
A Service Dog handler is just like any other customer. They want to have their concerns addressed, make their purchase, or run their errand and be done with their day. 
The Service Dog serves only one purpose: to assist the Service Dog handler and therefore only the handler can say when a Service Dog is “working.”
     “Examples would be good here mom.”
     “Right Goodee can you think of any?”
     “Well mom there’s lots of times someone pets me without asking when I am standing with you or laying by you.”
     “Right Goodee that is a good example, I’ve been told Goodee the Service Dog was “just standing there” or “just laying there.”
     “Actually mom I was providing balance and many times you fall to the floor when someone just reaches over and pets me without asking.”
     “ Goodee, Can you think of other things that hurt or delay us when we are out and about?”
     “Well mom sometimes people insist upon “helping” us when they don’t have a clue what they are doing. It delays us at best and can harm us physically.”
     “Yes Goodee, I have an example for this one.”
We went inside a bank lobby and we were scoping  an area out for the human to sit down. A manager looking type came over and starting doing a little dance in front of Service Dog Goodee. She immediately tried to get Goodee to follow her. —(I guess she thought we needed to get to a teller.) She then began laughing and telling employees that she was a dog “whisperer.” I never did get her to understand I just needed her to get the ____ out of the way so that I could tie my shoelace. This is an example of both someone who thinks they are helping but is not and someone who is determined to make “the dog” a personal sideshow -- In fact, all the “helper” did is create an obstacle. — The Service Dog is a tool not a toy!

SERVICE DOG REMINDERS FOR PLACES OF BUSINESS


1.                       Remember the human hander is a normal customer do not talk to the dog or anyone with the handler.—Talk directly to the handler and ignore the dog.—any other behavior is rude.
2.                       Don’t chatter or insist upon helping the dog or handler—give them space if they need help they will ask.
3.                       Do not feed the dog. —Team Goodee actually had an employee put seafood down on the floor and call the “doggie.”
4.                       Your customers will follow your lead. —Please instruct your employees to not touch, talk, stalk, or otherwise mess with the Service dog.
MAKING SENSE/ CENTS
Like other consumers Service Dog handlers evaluate where they spend money. Team Goodee has several favorite places where we go in and get served quickly with “no circus.” We have sent compliment letters to corporate headquarters and visit   the same places week after week. –-- On the other side of the coin, there is a discount chain that we have not gone in for a solid year because even after several complaints their employees continue to interfere with us. When we have to eat, shop for our business or home, the question is always the same: “Where can I go today and get the service I need?” Many times Team Goodee stays away from sales because either the dog or the human just can’t cope with the circus. In addition to the economic impact many states have fines and jail time for interfering with a Service Dog.
There’s no reason to be in the dark about Service Dog access Sue Kindred of Service Dog 411(http://www.servicedog411.com/services.html) has educational material and consulting services available. The U.S. Department of Justice has business resources (see links below).

 In closing we would like to thank the many business establishments across the country that provide Service Dog friendly customer service. Thank you to people who take time to address Service Dog access concerns. Thank you to friends and family who accompany Service Dog Teams and put up with the “circus” as people pet, prod, talk to, and tickle the dog.

Team Goodee welcomes your feedback by email, many times when you see us out and about we have to say: “Not Now We Are Working.”

--DD & GOODEE

Educational Links
1-800-514-0301
ADA Business BRIEF: Service Animals


COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS


SERVICE DOG 411

Making



Thursday, July 4, 2013

Knowing Your Role- The Service Dog In the Medical Setting


D. D, & Goodee offer this Blog in loving memory of our friend
 and Primary Care Physician
Dr John C. Schmidt
Dr Schmidt’s office was one of the first places “Team Goodee” got to take on the world and it became a favorite spot for us to just hang out and be us.
Dr Schmidt touched so many lives with the right medical diagnosis that seem to come from somewhere the rest of the medical community had not, or would not look. He was always there with a kind word and lots of humor. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
“You forgot some things mom!” Hello Goodee the Service Dog; what did I forget?”
“Well I remember lots of important stuff Doc said.”
“You probably do Goodee, what would you like to add.?””
“Let’s see
It’s o.k. To make a mess. We can clean it up later.” and
“You would think people could read the sign and stay the  _____ __  away from the Service Dog.”
“Oh yes Goodee that’s very important. Let’s not fill in the blanks for people; we will leave that to imagination.
I thought we would talk about what it’s like to go to the hospital or a doctor’s office as a Service Dog Team”
My mom recently had heart AFIB. problems and the medical visits we have made with her have been eye-opening. It occurs to me that the medical community is not always sure what their role should be beyond letting the dog and handler through the door.
In the hospital we had several staff members assume we were there as a therapy dog team and invite us into other patient rooms. We had to entertain questions before going in to see my mom. —usually about twenty or so.
Why do you have the dog? How long have you had her? What does the dog do for you?
We usually have rapid-fire responses ready but my focus had to be my mom and her current medical situation.  Team Goodee was not ready for “Show & Tell mode.”

Thankfully my mom was not in the hospital for long. That’s over life is normal—or so we thought.
My mom had to go to her heart specialist. –She had not been out of the house in several weeks. As we walked the hallway she moved slowly. It seemed obvious to me she could use at least an offer of help.
I moved up beside her and offered an arm. Goodee the Service Dog balanced me. I was able to balance my mom. I thought of a time a few short years ago I would not have been able to balance even myself. Now I am able to help my mom. This is great, I thought to myself
Suddenly as we opened a door the was a large noise “Swish” as first one door open and another then another. “DOG” –We hear 20 people say in unison. –

I glanced down the long hallway and realized these were not just any ordinary people. My eyes beheld a “sea” of hot pink medical scrubs.
One person went back and told another that there was a DOG in the office and then it seems the news spread to everyone.
Twenty people lined the hallway watching intently as Goodee helped my mom and I down the hallway and into an exam room.
We don’t go anywhere wanting to be the center of attention. “I wish someone would help my mom,” I thought.” “Today of all days can we just focus on something besides the dog?” “What exactly were these medical types doing before they dropped everything just to watch a dog go down a hallway?” “Are they billing other patients for their time while they watch us?”
My mind was distracted while my body moved down the hallway.
We made our way inside the exam room. “Oh well that’s over,” I thought.
My mom was having trouble with buttons.  One set of pink medical scrubs came in and smiled first at the dog then at me. She immediately began asking the top twenty questions. ---How? Why? How Long? She NEVER even looked at my mom, choosing instead to look at her chart.
I resisted the urge to say what was on my mind. Instead I did short replies to each question. I thought she would eventually notice that I was busy helping my mom with her clothing.  “NO,” “JUST STAND THERE TALKING” “What is this person’s job?, I thought as we finally finished with my mom’s clothing, the pink medical scrubs left without another word.
I know some Service Dog Teams print out FAQ’S; to date we have not done so. Every team has to what is right for them. We offer our Blog for people to ponder and share freely. We are encouraged by the number of people who know about Service Dogs and what should be done around them.
The medical setting is a place where Service Dog Teams go to get help for themselves (or someone else).

The focus should never be on “the dog.”--- The SERVICE DOG is a tool not a toy!
Service Dogs are not for the amusement and entertainment of others. The Service Dog is to serve as a medical device for someone in need.
As parting words for the medical community, Team  Goodee would like to say:
“If you can’t help, at least stay out of our way!”

Team Goodee would like to remind everyone that our friend Teddy Green is raising funds for his own Service Dog to keep him safe from Tree Nut Allergy.  “Gizmo” is currently in training and you can help with his tuition by making a donation directly to Angel Service Dogs via the link below:


We welcome feedback by email.
When you see us out and about we often must say,
“Not Now We Are Working!”
DD & GOODEE
GoodeeWorks Productions
DD & GOODEE the Service Do


Sunday, March 24, 2013

Give us a Break: Life with the Service/Assistance Dog


“Most people just don’t know how important it is just to give the working dog and handler their own space.
 “You are right Goodee. Service/ Assistance Dogs are always working and it’s important that they not be touched unless you are given specific instructions to do so. It’s also important to not detract the service dog by calling their name or making other noises. In short: Act like the dog is a cane or walker—The device is there but you shouldn’t touch it or do anything to it, and you shouldn’t ask a person why they have it that’s far too personal.
Here’s an example to help you understand the life of a Service Dog Team:
Imagine for a moment that you are talking on a cell phone and it’s the most important call you have ever had, one that requires all your attention, if you get details wrong you could have a serious injury. Now imagine on this call that you are interrupted every twenty seconds by a total stranger Twenty, thirty sixty, one-hundred times until the end of your day.
Stranger 1: “Wow, that’s a neat phone. Can I see it?” “Well no I’m on an important call.” “Oh no your not you were just there moving your lips about what’s the big deal I didn’t mean you any harm. Besides I said I was sorry.”
You recover from stranger one and get half a sentence out to the important person you are speaking to on the cell phone then:
Stranger 2: “Sorry I know your busy but I just wanted to tell you that looks like my friend’s cell phone except it’s a different shape and color my friend had her cell phone because she was president and she really needed it but, you don’t look like you really need a cell phone so you won’t mind if I just take it a few minutes.  Oh I’m sorry the phone is so adorable it’s just so hard not to touch it so I decided I just must.
You pry the cell phone from the stranger’s hand, You go back to your conversation and then
Stranger 3: Oh that’s one of them cell phones now I know I’m not suppose to touch it so I won’t but do you mind if I just stand here and talk to my child in a really loud voice while you try to carry on your most important call? It’s just I’ve been trying to teach my child about neat cell phones and we saw yours!
Wait it’s not over yet. You would really like to get back to your call but:
Stranger 4: Your cell phone is so neat and I can see your busy and I read the sign about not touching your cell phone but well I’m just such a cell phone person I know your cell phone would rather talk to me. I’m not even going to ask you I’m going to reach around you, jerk the phone out of your hand, take it and carry on with it, then drop it and walk away laughing at your sign.
Okay now you have your cell phone back you are back to “normal” or as near normal as your life can be when you have to carry this lifeline cell phone around and be on the look out for strangers. —It’s finally your turn at the doctor’s office, or the bank so you look up and:
Stranger 5: Well, I work at the bank, or doctor’s office or you come all the time with your neat cell phone all the time, so we couldn’t possibly be strangers and I just know that I’m the exception to the rule so I’m going to make a cute crack about your cell phone until everyone else in the building is talking about your cell phone and asking you question after question about your cute cell phone. Then I will touch your cell phone until everyone else notices me, I know any signs or words you have couldn’t possibly apply to me.
“Gosh mom do you really have to compare Service/Assistance Dogs to a cell phone?”
“Well Goodee a cell phone is a life-saving necessary tool that must be used properly.”
“Speaking Service Dogs as life saving tools mom we should tell me about Gizmo.”
“What Gizmo”
“Not what mom who---Gizmo the Service Dog in Training.”
“Oh yes thanks for the reminder Goodee.”
DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 10) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies.  A Service Dog can keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.
An allergy alert Service Dog is $20,000. Teddy’s family and friends have fundraising efforts underway. Teddy has missed an opportunity to purchase a dog due to lack of funds but we are not giving up.
Gizmo the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.
Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:
Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:
angelservicedogs.com
Mark your payment “Training for Gizmo”__

For Details See Facebook:
Teddy’s Service Dog Fund
We welcome feedback by email. Often when we are out & about we must say:

Not Now We Are Working!

DD & Goodee
Goodeeworks@gmail.com



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Be a Sweetheart for the Service Dog Team


February is a perfect time for Team Goodee to recognize our family and friends and say “thank you” for all you do.
“It takes a lot to get us down but even   more to keep us going.”
“Hello Goodee the Service Dog. That’s a nice quote. I wish I had thought of it.”
“Well, mom rescuing the blog is one of my tasks.”
“Ok Goodee tell me about some of your other tasks.”
“Right now my most important one is continuing this blog when it stalls.”
“How about listing a few friends mom?”
Okay, Goodee here it goes.
There’s what we call the medical part of Team Goodee:
Main Street Chiropractic- Dr Scott Frizzell & staff   
Dr John & Carol Schmidt
Being able to be pain-free is AMAZING. You are AWESOME!
“”There’s so many friends mom. There’s not enough web space in the whole universe  to list them.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s actually an impossibility Goodee; I doubt cyberspace will actually run out of web space but I could get tired if we listed everyone.”
“There are a few ways we could thank everyone mom.”
“Show us what you mean Goodee the Service Dog.”
“Well anyone who gives a Service Dog space to do their job is a sweetheart”
“Yes Goodee you are right what are some other important things?”
“Well, there’s Service Dog access.. It’s important to understand that a Service Dog Team is welcome in all areas of public access..”
“ Correct Goodee if someone is able to understand and apply Service Dog Access Laws they are a sweetheart to the Service Dog Team because our life is easier.”
“What else?”
“Well Mom there’s R E S P E C T.. Find out what it means to me.”
“Okay Goodee we get the concept. Don’t finish the song.”
“What exactly do you mean respect?”
“Well mom, there’s talking to the human and treating them like a person, that’s respect.”
“That should be simple Goodee, “
“Well I know mom but lots of people miss it. They talk to me “pretty puppy” and walk right past you, the human.”
“Oh yes, that I try to ignore that when it happens but it happens a lot. I don’t think much of it the first time it happens but by the end of the day it’s happened 15 or 20 times and has me wondering if people even noticed me at all.”
“If you say hello to the Service Dog Handler by name, you certainly are a sweetheart.
“Be a sweetheart and give the Service Dog Team Access, and Respect. that should cover it mom.”
“Yes, your right Goodee, for Valentine’s Day let’s be short and sweet.

We welcome feedback by email. Often when we are out & about we must say:

Not Now We Are Working!

DD & Goodee
Goodeeworks@gmail.com




Be a Sweetheart for the Service Dog Team


February is a perfect time for Team Goodee to recognize our family and friends and say “thank you” for all you do.
“It takes a lot to get us down but even   more to keep us going.”
“Hello Goodee the Service Dog. That’s a nice quote. I wish I had thought of it.”
“Well, mom rescuing the blog is one of my tasks.”
“Ok Goodee tell me about some of your other tasks.”
“Right now my most important one is continuing this blog when it stalls.”
“How about listing a few friends mom?”
Okay, Goodee here it goes.
There’s what we call the medical part of Team Goodee:
Main Street Chiropractic- Dr Scott Frizzell & staff   
Dr John & Carol Schmidt
Being able to be pain-free is AMAZING. You are AWSOME!
“”There’s so many friends mom. There’s not enough web space in the whole university to list them.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s actually an impossibility Goodee; I doubt cyberspace will actually run out of web space but I could get tired if we listed everyone.”
“There are a few ways we could thank everyone mom.”
“Show us what you mean Goodee the Service Dog.”
“Well anyone who gives a Service Dog space to do their job is a sweetheart”
“Yes Goodee you are right what are some other important things?”
“Well, there’s Service Dog access.. It’s important to understand that a Service Dog Team is welcome in all areas of public access..”
“ Correct Goodee if someone is able to understand and apply Service Dog Access Laws they are a sweetheart to the Service Dog Team because our life is easier.”
“What else?”
“Well Mom there’s R E S P E C T.. Find out what it means to me.”
“Okay Goodee we get the concept. Don’t finish the song.”
“What exactly do you mean respect?”
“Well mom, there’s talking to the human and treating them like a person, that’s respect.”
“That should be simple Goodee, “
“Well I know mom but lots of people miss it. They talk to me “pretty puppy” and walk right past you, the human.”
“Oh yes, that I try to ignore that when it happens but it happens a lot. I don’t think much of it the first time it happens but by the end of the day it’s happened 15 or 20 times and has me wondering if people even noticed me at all.”
“If you say hello to the Service Dog Handler by name, you certainly are a sweetheart.
“Be a sweetheart and give the Service Dog Team Access, and Respect. that should cover it mom.”
“Yes, your right Goodee, for Valentine’s Day let’s be short and sweet."

We welcome feedback by email.
When you see us out and about we often must say,
“Not Now We Are Working!”
DD & GOODEE
GoodeeWorks Productions
DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.
Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:
Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:
angelservicedogs.com
Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Patience & Education: Tasks of the Service Dog Team


The Service Dog and everyone around them must approach each day with patience.
“Patience. Mom what exactly is patience?”
“Oh hello Goodee the Service Dog. Welcome to the Blog.”
“For the Service Dog Team patience means remembering that people don’t always understand what a service dog is, and the special things you need to do when you see a Service Dog.”
“Oh you mean the things you do when your nice to people that are touching me and talking to me but, totally ignoring you when you are trying to transact business.”
“Exactly Goodee, that’s patience when you understand that a person didn’t mean you any harm.”
“Oh that, I get tired of doing that. ..
Couldn’t we just call people stupid and be done with it”
“Well, Goodee people do act careless and without intelligence, but I think we should try to educate them before we just blurt out the word stupid.”
“Yes mom but, people do the same thing day after day “
“I know we get tired Goodee but we just have to find ways to educate people. There’s lots of Service Dogs around but even more people and pets. We have to show people how Service Dogs are different from the  pets they love.”
“Mom how do we explain things to people in ways they will understand.”
“Well I’m not sure Goodee. Do you have ideas?”
“I like scratch and sniff books myself mom.”
“Good idea Goodee. Let’s see we could show people how you help me with migraines by including triggers that set my migraines in motion.”
“Well mom we could include: coffee, perfume, milk, and processed sugar but there is no smell for artificial light.”
“Right Goodee, there’s no way we could explain everything by smell but we could try to produce a bright noisy image that illustrates what it’s like to have a migraine.”
“Could we get someone else to do that for us mom? We have enough migraines of our own without having to create an extra one.”
“Good idea Goodee. We will contract that out.”
“If we are going to educate people mom, we need to make sure they understand how Service Dogs work.”
“Yes Goodee we would want to tell people that each Service Dog is different that’s why it’s so important to leave them alone and let them work.”
“Right mom, sometimes people just don’t understand that I Goodee the Service dog  am ALWAYS WORKING.”
“Goodee, what do you mean ALWAYS?”
“Oh mom, do I have to educate you too? I mean: always, without ceasing, until otherwise stated, perpetually…”
“I understand ALWAYS, Goodee, what do you mean WORKING?”
“Mom can you stand on hard surfaces without me?”
“Not very well.”
“Do you need me to help you after you’ve been sitting a long time?”
“Yes Goodee you help when my muscles get stiff.”
“Can you stop quickly or go around things quickly without me?”
“No Goodee, I would fall without you.”
“Yes and I help you up when you fall!”
“I get it now Goodee we really need to explain to people what WORK means because it’s hard to understand.”
“Right mom, when people see a Service Dog walking, laying or sitting it may not look like WORK but it is!
“Your right Goodee”
“Well education doesn’t end there mom.”
“What else is there to understand Goodee? I get it a SERVICE DOG IS ALWAYS WORKING!”
“Yes, mom but we would also need to explain why people should not talk or touch a Service Dog unless they have gotten permission from the owner.”
“What happens when people touch you Goodee?”
“Well usually you go tumbling to the floor mom.”
“What happens when people talk to you Goodee?”
“Well mom usually they are saying something silly. I try to ignore them but they continue to say silly stuff. Many times they will go get more people and stand right in front of me. I don’t think people mean to be rude mom, but they often block our way until I show them some attention.”
“Oh, what happens when people just insist upon having your attention Goodee?”
“Well usually it means I have to stop what I’m doing for you. This causes you to fall and twist or slam your body parts.  You usually need medical attention. It’s not a pretty sight mom.”
“Oh wow, you mean all these bad things happen to me just because someone one wants to have your attention?”
“Right mom.”
“Thanks for sharing all this stuff with me Goodee”
“No problem I don’t mind finishing the Blog for you.
We welcome feedback by email.
When you see us out and about we often must say,
“Not Now We Are Working!”
DD & GOODEE
GoodeeWorks Productions
DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.
Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:
Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:
angelservicedogs.com
Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________