NOT NOW WE ARE ON VACATION!

This blog is lovingly  dedicated to the memory of: 

Dr John C Schmidt, DO. (Doc)

Without whom I would not have the quality of life I do today. Doc had an ability to look for solutions, and find them where others would not even try to look. He is gone but never forgotten. He loved beaches. On the cruise, I thought of him and I feel like when I visit a beach a small part of him is there.  I am blessed with the friendship of his lovely wife Carol.

 I know he would enjoy the stories in this blog and he would tell people. —Well, maybe we shouldn’t say it in this blog.Okay, but only because Goodee the Service Dog says to tell you. —The PG version Dr. Schmidt would probably tell you to “leave the dog the ___ alone!”

Preface: Team Goodee took an AMAZING cruise to the Bahamas   this past month. Why? Because: How could you forget? (or be allowed to since I announced it every few months). I had not been anywhere, not even to travel for business in 6 years. I looked upon the vacay pics of friends not with envy but, a longing to go myself.

GO, YES, WE DID!

Thank you to family and friends without whom it would not have been possible.

There will be a separate blog about SERVICE DOG FRIENDLY CRUISING. —If you need information feel free to comment below.

In this blog, we will discuss: PUBLIC INTERACTION with the SERVICE DOG.

Sometimes when you go on vacation, you want to be away from people.

• ·         Have you ever been on vacation and had people STARE at you like you were an exhibit in a zoo?
• ·         Have you ever been on vacation and had people YELL your name, over, and over, and over again?
• ·         Have you ever been on vacation and had literally THOUSANDS of people want to touch and talk to your I-phone or other device you were using but, TOTALLY IGNORE YOU?
• ·         While on vacation have you ever had, someone insist upon doing something despite a posted sign, and polite request not to do it?
• ·         Have you ever been on vacation and had stranger after stranger insist upon asking you 20+ questions?
• ·         Have you ever had someone talk about you as if you were both blind and deaf?

Chances are good everyone can relate to some of these items. Some people are just more friendly than others. However, if you relate to ALL of them, you are probably a Service Dog handler.

With Spring Break upon us I offer this blog to educate the well-meaning public.I often hear: “I just didn’t know.”—After this blog I hope you will know, and I hope you will share.  These real- world examples make my points:

YES: THEY REALLY ALLOW “THE DOG”

     “They are not really going to let that lady on the ship with the DOG?” a man punches the lady next to him. I ignore the exchange because after all he isn’t talking to me, he is talking ABOUT me. —I’m on vacation and I don’t want to go into the paperwork required to bring a SERVICE DOG on a cruise ship. If this guy needs to know all that he can Google it.

     Team Goodee gets off the bus. Service Dog and human  tired but excited. Once inside the Sea Terminal we are taken directly to a special coordinator, who is tasked with taking care of Importation requirements for the SERVICE DOG.

     “I don’t know why they let that lady off the bus with the DOG. They are not going to let her on the ship with the DOG.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see this man who has been pre-occupied with the DOG idea for nearly an hour now (literally since the shuttle ride was 45 minutes). He punches the lady next to him again.

     “Look they even let her cut in line with the DOG while the rest of us wait. They will probably send her home there’s no way a DOG goes on the ship.”

What he didn’t realize, in addition to being uneducated about SERVICE DOGS is that I was not taking a “cut” in line. I was being directed to the one person who could assist me and make sure my paperwork was in order, thereby saving time for other people behind me who had 12 other representatives that could assist them in boarding ahead of me.

     “Everything is in order, thank you.”

The kind lady sends us on our way with Miguel who assisted us all the way to our stateroom. This was the accumulation of 6 months of research and preparation. The “happy dance” came later but first, I turned around to the man who was still mumbling “I know there’s no DOGS allowed on the ship.” I did thumbs up saying: 

“YES, THEY REALLY ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE SERVICE DOG ON THE SHIP!”

WHY CAN’T I PET?

Day one of cruise and here’s dinner time. Human tries to navigate her way to main dining room.—Can’t move at all until 40 people pass by and say “DOGGIE.”—literally, I counted. If you think I am exaggerating I invite you to shadow us on the next cruise. —Why is this a problem?  You could simulate it sometime including jet lag and migraine factor and see what you think. In addition, there’s a “wall” created by people who literally stop to STARE at the dog. I am trying to move; the dog is trying to help me move but there are people stopped in front of me and behind me. There is nowhere to go. I must wait until someone decides to move one direction or another. —I don’t mind waiting but, of course while I am trying to figure a way around traffic, 10 people who read the “DO NOT PET” sign ask: “May I pet your dog?” My universal reply must always be: “Not right now she’s working.” For me, it’s nearly always true the dog is working but, in public places, even if she’s not I can’t let one person pet. Why? Well I tried that one day and it became the “petting zoo.”—If I let one person pet I must let the 25 people behind them pet. —Then we all must listen to the 25 or so people who really don’t care to pet the dog they just need SPACE to do what they were there to do in the first place.

So, let’s see, people jammed in saying “doggie,” continually, me needing to move but people not wanting to move because they all want to STARE at the doggie, then they suddenly think they are the exception to the posted rule so they ask to pet, but wait, there’s more. People  will “fly-by” pet where they pet and walk fast as if they are just so cool. —These fly-bys nearly cause me to go to the ground but I must remain cheerful because after all I should understand these people can’t help themselves they MUST pet, even if it has serious medical consequences for me. Who am I to stand in their way?

Things finally smooth out and we wait for an elevator. An older gentleman comes over and informs me in a serious tone
      “you shouldn’t bring a dog if you are not going to let people pet it.”

By this time, I have had enough. I decide these elements will not ruin my vacation. Furthermore, I will not jeopardize my safety or that of my Service Dog. The exchange continues:

ME: “Sir the dog is a medical device not a toy. To tell me I should not bring her is like telling someone not to bring a cane or walker.”

(gentleman becomes red in the face as the lady traveling with him grabs his collar trying to pull him out of our space).

HIS REPLY: “Well the dog is cute and people like that.”

ME: “That’s nice but people are not totally dependent upon her for balance like I am she is a tool not a toy.”

Thankfully the elevator comes and he gets on. Team Goodee waits for the next one (or the one after that).

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF SERVICE DOGS THEY ARE NOT JUST FOR BLIND OR DEAF PEOPLE
(We may see and hear what you are saying)

At several points in our trip:--airport, hotel, and on the ship people would STARE at me then STARE at the Service Dog. Some people would come “zero line” right up to the dog’s nose talk to the dog and then leave as if there was no HUMAN attached to the leash.

 Sometimes people would turn to someone with them and say “I wonder if the lady is blind?”

To their shock, I would say: “No, I’m not blind and I’m not deaf either, did you have a question for me?”

I would point out: There is nothing wrong with being both blind and deaf.--If a person is both, or either, it is still WRONG to talk ABOUT them as if they are not there.

It was a source of amusement to me to STARE right back at people and watch their reaction.

SERVICE DOG SEEN IT, MOVE ON

 60 people waiting for an elevator (yes, I counted).  I was seated tying a shoe while the mass of people were “talking at” the dog. One man got right in the dog’s face and said “bow-wow.”

     “I think he was intoxicated mom.”'

     “oh, hello Goodee the Service Dog. Yes, I think you are right. What about the other people that were talking about us like we were a stop on the all-access tour?”

     “Well I don’t know what their excuse was but you put them in their place"

     “Yes, Goodee I had to.”

     “So, are you going to tell our readers what happens next?”

     “OK drum roll…

I stood up and said:

“Please visit us in the American Express Travel Guide. Be sure to check us off your list. One Service Dog, seen it MOVE ON!”

After this there were fewer on-lookers.

WE DON’T KNOW YOU SO GIVE US A BREAK

Some people just love to tell their story and never meet a stranger. Others (like me) want to have a few close friends around but for the most part, like to be left ALONE.

At one point on the beach, Service Dog and human are enjoying the view. A stranger comes over and begins to tell her entire life story—two children, houses, dogs etc. without giving her name or asking mine. However, she did find time to ask “what’s your dog’s name.?”

I know it’s just something to talk about but, why not ask my name? Why does she care about the dog’s name but not a single other detail about me?

She looked at me oddly when I stuck my hand out saying, 

 “My name is DD.”

Apparently, this disrupted her thought pattern because she started talking about something else and never came back to the dog’s name. She went on, and on, and on some more…

     “So, I have seen you around the ship, and I notice how independent you are and that you do things for yourself. I asked my husband and my sister if they knew but they didn’t know, and I’ve been wondering to myself now for three days. "I wonder if that lady with the dog is traveling with someone? I wonder how it works that she and the dog can do things alone? I wonder how it is she got the dog on ship?"  So today I decide to ask you."

“Alone, we are alone. We prefer alone actually,” I said firmly as I moved further down the beach.

     “Oh, I see. I know about Service Dogs and how you shouldn’t pet them and all but I thought I would ask because I miss my dog so much. Can I pet your dog?”

     “Sorry not right now she’s working.”

     “Oh okay, I just wish I could bring my dog.”

     “I wish I didn’t have to.”

     “Oh, I didn’t mean (embarrassed look), well I will leave you be.”

FINALLY, she gets it. Most days I don’t mind giving out Service Dog information but by day three of this cruise I was worn thin. There were thousands on this ship, thousands of people in the airports, and hundreds of people in the hotel. Would you like to navigate that many people and be asked the same four questions about your dog, every 4ft?

IN CONCLUSION

Most of the time people with Service Dogs don’t mind being friendly but please don’t act like we ruined your whole vacation if we don’t want to sit and chat. The Service Dog and human you see are not set up to be public figures, goodwill ambassadors, or interactive toys to replace the dog you left at home. The human is simply a person trying to get things done just like you. Wanting to be on vacation and relax, just like you. By the way, the dog looks like your dog but it is a highly trained medical device. The dog is assisting the human to do something they would not otherwise be able to do, such as measure blood sugar level,  detect allergens - –  or maybe even something you do as a matter of course, without assistance such as: walk, sit, stand, hear, or see.

Would you sit and stare at someone in a wheelchair? Would you ask to pet a walker? – See the Service Dog, admire at a distance and go on. If you need information YCGI (You Can Google It).

Did I get a vacation? YES

Would I do it again? SOON AND OFTEN

Would I do it without my Service Dog? NEVER, it would not be physically possible without my Service Dog. Other medical devices are not effective for me. So, my choices are go with the Service Dog, or not at all.

Do I learn to take people’s outrageous behavior in stride?  YES

But let me ask you--- Should I have to do so? 

We would like to thank our friends and family who keep us going and our friends in the Service Dog Community who know the shoes we walk in and the struggle we face.

     Team Goodee appreciates communication by email and Facebook. When you see us out and about we will likely say: “Not Now We Are Working.

Come back next week when we address the popular question:

"How does a Service Dog do their business on a cruise ship?"

---DD & Goodee 

YES! Service Dogs can Dine at the Inn (and anywhere else people eat food)

This is lovingly dedicated to all Veterans active duty, reserved and retired, and to the families who lost a loved one in the service of our country. “Thank you” for your service and sacrifice.

Sadly while researching for this blog I found several cases of discrimination against U.S. Veterans who tried to enter restaurants with their Service Dog.  I find this particularly horrid and I think it’s a fitting starting point for any Service Dog discussion this Memorial Day weekend.

Over the years I watched my Dad and Uncles discuss “battle fatigue.” I saw Vietnam Veterans at my church talk about “flash-backs”. For these generations invisible wounds often went misunderstood, untreated, and even discounted as “all in your head.” In 1980 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized a group of survivor symptoms as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (see NH Fact Sheet). We now know that physical and mental consequences are brought about by a trauma outside the individual and these symptoms  are not a sign of character weakness; Instead,  they are a method the brain uses to process experiences. (For a full discussion of PTSD see the educational resources below).

“So what  you are really saying mom, is,  that   wounded Veterans are  now fully able to participate in life but, they are not allowed to because someone takes it upon themselves to say “NO DOGS?”

     “Hello Goodee the Service Dog I can always count on you to bring the blog back to my original point. Yes, many social establishments try to exclude Service Dogs.”

“     “But Mom everyone CAN have a Service Dog with them, that’s the LAW”

“YES Goodee, that’s the Law but—“

“Oh I get it now mom ACCESS depends upon people KNOWING and APPLYING the LAW. Well, that’s different there’s a whole learning curve thing that goes on.”

“Goodee, what exactly is a “learning curve?”

“Well mom I’m not sure but that’s what Manger types say when they should have known the Service Dog Access law and told their employees about it but didn’t, or they think employees know about Service Dogs but find out later they didn’t.”

“Right Goodee. The new guy or Learning Curve, hmm...  Let’s see it would probably only take us five minutes to educate people on the law that would help”

Let’s start with…

COMMON SENSE & CENTS

     Nearly 1 in 5 American’s has a disability (US Census Bureau, 2010).  Estimates suggests there are over 300, 00 Service Dogs in the U.S. specifically trained to mitigate a disability for their owner.              Information from Guide Dog schools shows that less than 3% of the Service Dog population in the U.S. is used as a guide dog for someone who is blind (For Service Dog stats see the Service Dog Central link below).  Taking all this into account, it is likely that at some point an eating establishment will be asked to serve a customer who has a Service Dog, and that person will be disabled but not blind.

     “Wow, all that information sounds like a logic puzzle.”

     “Yes Goodee the Service Dog, it is logical that Service Dogs are out there in the world helping people and it may not always be obvious that the person is disabled and/or that the dog is a Service Dog. , so the question becomes what to do when your restaurant encounters a Dog?”

     “I know: Wouldn’t it be best to treat a person with a Service Dog just like you do any other person coming into your restaurant?  Everyone has to eat and it’s a matter of Economics really whether your establishment can afford the penalties of violating Federal Laws which protect the access rights of Service Dog handlers.”

     “YES, that’s it Goodee! That sounded like you have an Economics and Marketing Degree but that is the point. Interference with a Service Dog is not only poor customer service it is a violation of Federal Law (fines can range from $300 to $50,000 for a first offense, and in some cases can include jail time).

Points to remember about Service Dogs in eating establishments

     

• ·       Federal Law requires that a Service Dog and their handler be allowed in all areas of public access—there is no public health law or local rule to “trump” this.

• ·       While many Service Dogs have vests or ID Cards there are no documentation requirements for Service Dogs.

• ·       Business establishments may only ask:

1. Is this a Service Dog required because of a disability?

And

  2. What work or tasks has the dog been trained to perform?

--- Please note that you should NOT say “You are not blind, are you?”, or ask “What’s WRONG with you?”  Or even “Why do you have a Service Dog?”  No one is allowed to ask for medically sensitive information.

It is also poor form to say “Is that all?”(Being able to stand or sit without assistance may be “nothing” to you but for someone who has been unable to do it there is a world of difference when they have a trained dog).

• ·       If a Service Dog disrupts business you may ask that the dog leave but you must allow the patron to try and correct the disruption and the patron has the right to stay in your place of business without their dog.

• ·       The best customer service practice is to ask the Service Dog handler where they would like to be seated. Each Service Dog Team works differently and only the handler knows what is best for their circumstances. --- Talk to the Human not the Dog. Talking to the dog distracts them from their job of taking care of the handler

• ·       Remember the Service Dog is a Medical Device to be treated like Durable Medical Equipment.  You would not  ask a customer to be without their eye glasses or cane, so DON’T EXCLUDE “THE DOG”. You would not stare at a customer’s wheelchair or ask them why they need to wear a mask… SO DON’T ASK about “THE DOG” or “STARE” at the person or dog. You would not casually ask a customer if they take Viagra so be careful how you ask a person about their Service Dog and how it works for them.   You would not  allow your employees to empty out of the kitchen and “check out this customer’s cool blood sugar meter” so DON’T allow employees to create a “side show” about the Service Dog.

• ·       Give the Service Dog and handler SPACE. Do you suddenly stop your family time or confidential business conversation to reply to twenty random questions from a total stranger?---  We don’t either so don’t expect us to do so!

• ·       DO NOT FEED the Service Dog unless you have ASKED and RECEIVED permission from the handler to do so.

For Every Action there is a Reaction

Team Goodee has been together since 2006. At first everywhere we went (especially where there was food) there was an “issue.” We are happy to report that things are better but, shocked to find there are some people who still don’t know Service Dog Access Laws.

We try our best to educate, forgive, and forget but, just like other consumers first impressions last a long time. Sometimes Team Goodee “bounces back” and allows food establishments to “get it right.” but there are times when things go so wrong we don’t even think of going back.

There is an entertainment venue that I use to patronize several times a year.—Team Goodee even went there for several years… Until--- One day everyone from the Parking Lot Attendant to the Food Service Manager wanted to refuse us service. I tried several different ways of educating everyone eventually I called the local police who thankfully took over the task of education and allowed us to TRY to enjoy ourselves.—this was an event with expensive tickets. I had family and friends with me. I didn’t NEED to have to stop what I was doing and defend myself. Even after a nice apology from the General Manager and his private number for future use, Team Goodee has not been back in over three years.

We recently corresponded with the mother of a young Service Dog friend about a bad experience-- The Manager of a local pizza establishment was not only rude but left the 11-year old year old boy in fear of his life.—Telling someone who has a life-threatening reaction to tree nuts that you will just start cooking with Peanut Oil to keep the dog away is as funny as playing Russian Roulette with loaded guns.    What seems like “no big deal”, or “just a learning curve” to you may very well be an assault which causes real physical and emotional harm. 

This blog has not used any business names. We don’t wish to cause a problem for anyone. Our mission is to educate and make life better for Service Dog Teams everywhere.

     “Let’s close on that note mom and remind people that we have  educational links below.”

     “Good idea Goodee.

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

GoodeeWorks@gmail.com

Educational Links and Further Reading

NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (NIH Fact Sheets - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD))

http://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=58

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him  By Fmr. Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan (with Bret Witter)

(One of the best books ever written about Understanding PTSD and the life-changing effects of a Service Dog.  Available in many formats from fine book sellers everywhere. For more information see http://www.luiscarlosmontalvan.com/ )

Some of our friends who provide Service Dogs to U.S. Veterans include:

Shepherds for Lost Sheep Inc.

http://www.shepherdsforlostsheepinc.org/

K9S for Warriors

http://www.k9sforwarriors.org

Service Dog information and services for business owners:

Service Dog 411(Sue Kindred)  http://www.servicedog411.com/G

Statistics about the Service Dog Population:
See Service Dog Central
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/ 

U.S. Department of Justice:   Service Dog Access FAQ’s

http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Requirements: What is a Service Animal

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

For assistance with Service Dog Access contact the U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA Info line at:

1-800-514-0301 (voice)
1-800-514-0383 (TTY)

For information on filing Service Dog Access Complaints see Service Dog Central

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/267

• 
  
• 
  

Stupidity: The largest Service Dog Access Problem

   “Education is the key to Service Dog access. People in all walks of life need to know what Service Dogs are, what they do, and why the Service Dog must not be removed from the handler.”

There we have it, a perfect blog intro.

     “No mom it’s not perfect.—in fact, it’s watered down and not making the correct point.”

     “Hello Goodee the Service Dog you see your mom the human is working on the blog.”

     “I see your trying mom but not doing a very good job.”

     “Okay, Goodee the Service Dog, just what would you say is a good blog intro?”

          “UHHHM here it goes mom…”

     Stupidity is the largest barrier to Service Dog access. Thousands of people are totally dependent upon Service Dogs to help them with the most basic skills of life. The Americans With Disabilities Act, guarantees people with service dogs access to public places. Many employers make sure their employees know the law by providing Service Dog sensitivity training to their employees, then there are some individuals who make no effort to know or understand the law and that creates the largest problem for service dogs and their handlers—Not knowing the law, being dense, refusal to understand, AKA: STUPIDITY.

       “Goodee the Service Dog you have written a near perfect intro. Do you mind if I join in?”

        “Oh no mom anytime.”

     As Goodee points out Service Dogs and their handlers are to be given access to any area that is normally accessed by the public. In our nearly seven years together Team Goodee has experienced challenges to access in:  hotels, gas stations, restaurants and office buildings. We do our share of education. Usually misunderstandings are cleared up once people understand that Goodee the Aussie is also Goodee the Service Dog (a medical device under the ADA). Sometimes we have called local police, or members of management for further clarification and things get ironed out.—however, there are times we will never forget that require much more effort on our parts.

     “Come on mom tell it like it is: There are times that we have to waste way too much time and energy explaining things because people are being STUPID!”

     “Oh yes Goodee the Service Dog, you are always good at being direct. Sometimes people are just plain STUPID. If you have never been dependent upon a Service Dog you may not realize just what one instance of Stupidity can do physically and mentally to the Service Dog Team.

     “Let’s insert our best example here.”

     “Yes that’s a good idea Goodee.”

     My mom was recently hospitalized due to  heart AFIB and a related fall. . At age 88 she often tries to do more than her body will allow. She was release to our home with specific orders from Medicare that she was to receive regular visits from a nurse. I welcomed someone looking after my mom’s well-being.

Goodee the Service Dog had kept my life “normal” she assisted me in walking across surfaces so I could do the shopping, banking, cooking, and laundry. When migraine triggers suddenly presented themselves Goodee would help me get meds, or a better position for my head. Life for Team Goodee was “normal” but going at a strained  pace due to the things needed for my mom. The nurse called and demanded that he come during a specific time frame. However, I was ready to get help for my mom’s medical needs. I truthfully did not think about my Service Dog because she is just a part of me.—like a leg or an arm, she is a body part.  Little did I know I was about to come upon the largest access issue I have had in the history of Team Goodee. – Here it comes the largest barrier for anyone with a Service Dog.—what’s that word again Goodee.—STUPIDITY!

“STUPIDITY, Mom”

“Thanks Goodee, yes Stupidity, meaning a lack of intellect.

     When the nurse came to the door I was working on a three-day stretch of two hours of sleep per night. Goodee the Service Dog was vested and leashed at my side. Goodee barked at the first sign of a stranger at the door but soon stopped when requested.

     “I’m afraid of dogs.” the nurse said backing up a bit.

     “Oh I’m sorry she is my Service Dog,” I said, through a closed door, showing the “SERVICE DOG” –patch on Goodee’s vest, right next to the one that says, “ACCESS REQUIRED.”

     The nurse bristled saying “I don’t like dogs anywhere around me, can you put the dog away?”

     I was genuinely sympathetic to the situation and kept the door closed.

    “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding I can’t be without the dog but could you send someone who will work with dogs?”

     “I will call my supervisor,” the nurse said, leaving the porch.

    “Oh well I will clear this up with the supervisor and they will send someone else,” I thought to myself.

 Simple right?

     “WRONG MOM!”

     "Oh hello Goodee the Service Dog, glad you are still around. Do you remember what happened after this?

         " Well mom you had a big “melt down"  because you were trying to explain things but no one was listening.”

     That’s it in a neat nut shell yes Goodee. It wasn’t pretty.

     My cell phone rang and the supervisor said “I don’t understand what’s the big deal, what could it possibly hurt.  just put the dog away for an hour while the nurse is there.”

I was then informed by the RN Nurse Supervisor that she would not send another nurse that I was being “unreasonable” and she would not have her nurses go where they didn’t feel safe.

I tried several times in the conversation to point out that I was just requesting a nurse that would work with dogs being present in the home. I went on to disclose specific medical details as to why I needed the dog (something not required by law but I felt would be nice to provide). I tried to explain the dynamics, mom and I share a house, mom needs me, I need the dog, and the dog is a SERVICE DOG a MEDICAL DEVICE, a TOOL NOT A TOY.”

     “Yes that’s how it happened mom and in real life you were shouting in the all caps parts. You shouted so loud that our friends could hear you all the way down the driveway.”

     “Yes Goodee I was pretty upset.”

     For years I struggled to stand, walk and do things. Now with the right medical team in place and Service Dog Goodee I am able to do things and actually be there for my mom when she needs me. With Service Dog Goodee I have the freedom to be normal but now I encounter the barrier of unnecessary STUPIDITY. These people are as my niece so correctly stated “Uneducated ding-dongs.”

The supervisor finally agreed to send a nurse who got along fine with Goodee the Service Dog.—For the home health agency the problem was resolved but I  was left with a large amount of anxiety due to the encounter and Goodee the Service Dog also experienced anxiety of her own due to my extra needs during the days following the event.

This event illustrates the most unnecessary barrier to service dog access. –The initial barrier that is perfectly preventable. It takes such a small amount of time to LEARN THE LAW. Every walk of life will be touched by the thousands of Service Dogs in use.

     When an administrator called me about this event she was nice but the damage was done.

     “It’s such a learning curve for us,” she told me. While I am glad they were open to education, it saddens me to find out first-hand how under-educated the medical profession is about ADA Service Dog Laws.

We would like to thank our friends and family who keep us going and our friends in the Service Dog Community who know the shoes we walk in and the struggle we face.

     Team Goodee appreciates communication by email and Facebook. When you see us out and about we will likely say: “Not Now We Are Working.”

---DD & Goodee 

Goodeeworks@gmail.com 

We offer the educational links below for further reading and welcome the sharing of our blog.

Service Dog Resources

FAQ Service Dog Access

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/faq/63

DOJ: Service Animal Briefs

http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

Federal Policies on Service Dog Access

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/newsletters/v7n2/7n2hende.htm

Service Dog Education for Law Enforcement & Business Owners

Service Dog 411

http://servicedog411.com/

Shepherds for Lost Sheep, Inc.

A non-profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans through the use of Service K-9’s

http://www.shepherdsforlostsheepinc.org/

 Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him 

By Luis Carlos Montalvan & Brent Whitter

A best-seller must read about a warrior and the life-changing effects of a Service Dog

Available in many formats

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=Luis+Carlos+Montalv%C3%A1n&search-alias=books&text=Luis+Carlos+Montalv%C3%A1n&sort=relevancerank

Coming Soon

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and His Service Dog by Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter and Dan Dion (May 27, 2014)

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

Goodeeworks@gmail.com

Educational Links

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Infoline

1-800-514-0301

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/493

ADA Business BRIEF: Service Animals

http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS


http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

SERVICE DOG 411

http://www.servicedog411.com/services.html