I have not done a blog in a very long time. I can only say “life
happens” and I didn’t feel like my blog was important. Several times I have
started to get thoughts down and then the matter became less urgent.
This week with an accumulation of things, I finally decided,
it’s time for the BLOG.
Goodee the Service Dog & myself have not been on a trip
in six years or so. Looking at places to go, the Service Dog noted her
preferences: flying (certainly, we like getting there quickly), limo, (dog and
human both like the creature comforts), cruise (YES! That’s on our bucket list),
old historic home near beach (another bucket list item).
Little did I know how much trouble some things can be. I
have mitigated a disability my entire life. Prior to having a Service Dog, my
lack of balance and poor peripheral vision caused frequent falls. I had no
success with a cane, it was just something else to fall over and actually made
things worse. Having a Service Dog ahead of me, increases my balance and allows
me to be aware of curbs, holes and other obstacles. I am the same person but, the way I mitigate
my disability is different. Having a Service Dog has opened so many doors for
me. Ramps and stares that were too steep for me are now no problem at all. The
Service Dog is a positive thing and there’s no way I could, or would do without
her. However, having a Service Dog can create a whole new set of unnecessary
barriers.
Flying with the Service Dog is no problem thanks to the Air
Carrier Access Act(ACAA), the limo, or hired car are certainly no problem the
American’s with Disabilities Act(ADA) requires transportation to be accessible
to the Service Dog handler. The Service Dog is recognized as a medical device;
the disabled individual has a Federal right to mitigate their disability. The
Service Dog is specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals
with disabilities. –This elevates the Service Dog to a working animal
and not a pet.
Goodee the Service Dog allows me to navigate uneven
jet-ways. In the past I would have to wait for a gate agent or skycap, maybe
even order up a wheelchair but now with the Service Dog, I can board the plane
quickly, with no assistance. This gives me a feeling of “normal” that is
indescribable.
Would we be able to do a cruise to Mexico? Well there’s no
ADA there but, happily the details of a cruise have been no problem. Thanks to
Royal Caribbean disability department, Goodee the Service Dog has her own “potty
patch” close to our cabin. We have a
Consular agent to make sure all our paperwork is in order to enter Mexico. As a
medical device, Goodee the Service Dog will disembark with me, instead of
having to enter Mexico in cargo. There’s a private transport company that will
get us from dock to beach and back. It seems even without government regulation;
merchants want the American tourist dollar.
“What about the
historic bed & breakfast?”
"Oh hello Goodee the Service Dog, thanks for the reminder."
“What would you
do without me?”
"Well that’s what this blog is about."
I decided to look at Bed & Breakfast establishments in
Galveston, Texas. The first inquiry I made a was complete disaster.
“Well the lady
who replied to your email was a complete B@@@@”
“Okay Goodee, let’s
keep it rated E for everyone.”
Goodee the Service Dog is correct the reply I got was less
than welcoming:
“I would request that you rent one of
the cottages out back in case your dog barks it will not disturb other guests.”
I sent a polite but direct reply stating that I am a Service
Dog handler of many years and certainly if we are a disturbance to other guests,
we remove ourselves. I do not expect to
be isolated because someone thinks my dog may bark. When I visit establishments,
I expect to be treated just like other customers and given the same selection, not
just the one someone else thinks is best.
The innkeeper and I came to a mutual understanding that
ours is an unworkable situation. She indicated that I am “over the top” about
needing my dog. She went on to say “because you sent an inquiry with no dates
of travel “I suspect you are just trying to get someone to deny you.”
“Mom that’s when
you said: W@@”
“Yes right Goodee”
“It’s only three
letters mom.”
“Yes, I’m sure
they get the picture Goodee.”
I was more than a little upset by someone accusing me of “trying
to get someone to deny me.”
At first I was offended by her saying I was “over the top.” –Then
I realized, Yes I am in fact “over the top” about ADA rights and Service Dog
access. – For that I have no apologies. “Over the top” gets things done, and
removes barriers.
Access is about CHOICE. What bothers me? It's not
that someone wants to put me and the dog away from everyone else---In a lot of
cases I would like that. However, I want to have the CHOICE, just like other people.
I want to decide what is best for me and do it. Prior to the ADA disabled people faced a life
of "can't", "don't," "won't" I want the CHOICE
for myself. After years of having to look for ramps (and sometimes finding
none), I enjoy taking stairs. Does it take me longer than a “normal” person?”
Yes, but I LOVE it because now I have the FREEDOM to do it!
I am happy to report I also received an email from some
lovely innkeepers in the same neighborhood who have opened their entire home
to us.
I know accessibility is
expensive but lots of people in society benefit from it. At some point all of
us benefit from a ramp or railing. There are loans and grants for retrofitting.
There are 20 million disabled Americans (that’s a lot of buying power).
We look forward to
blogging our further adventures. In closing (taking on something that should be
a whole other blog) we would like to say:
THINK BEFORE YOU FAKE!
If you don’t have a disability, you do not qualify for a Service Dog. If the
dog is not trained to do work or a task specifically for you, it is not a
Service Dog.
So often I hear people
say “I wish I could take my dog everywhere.”—to which I say “I wish I didn’t
have to!”
Now faking a Service Dog
can include fines. I have heard of people getting fined $5,000 for trying to get
their pet into the aircraft cabin.
I never gave much
thought to the fake until I endured UBER drivers yelling at me: “You can’t take
the dog!” It made me wonder, was this an effective approach with the faker
before me? Is it possible the innkeeper above had offered the cottages “out
back” to a faker and they thought this was cool? When kids rush up and surround
us, nearly causing me to fall to the floor, is it because the faker allowed a
whole restaurant full of people to pet the dog?
Faking a Service Dog is
not cool. Any problems your untrained pet causes in an establishment reflects
upon the Service Dog community. —The next legitimate Service Dog handler faces
extra strife and downright hostility from business owners all because you didn’t
want to be without your pet, or you were too cheap to buy an airline ticket for pet cargo.
Remember when you see us
out and about, we must say:
“Not Now, We Are
Working.!”
--DD & Service Dog Goodee
Goodeeworks@gmail.com
Helpful Links and
contact info
ADA Service Animals
For questions about the ADA
800-514-0301
(Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY)
24 hours a
day to order publications by mail.
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a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Th 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
to speak
with an ADA Specialist. All calls are confidential.
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