All over France and Italy every bar has it’s dog. The mutt’s job is to clean up any dropped “American fries” and to chase a stick that the bartender will supply. It’s all good fun and almost everyone loves it.
§ 35.136 SERVICE ANIMALS INQUIRIES. A PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL NOT ASK ABOUT THE NATURE OR EXTENT OF A PERSON’S DISABILITY, BUT MAY MAKE TWO INQUIRIES TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN ANIMAL QUALIFIES AS A SERVICE ANIMAL. A PUBLIC ENTITY MAY ASK IF THE ANIMAL IS REQUIRED BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY AND WHAT WORK OR TASK THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN TRAINED TO PERFORM. A PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL NOT REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION, SUCH AS PROOF THAT THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN CERTIFIED, TRAINED, OR LICENSED AS A SERVICE ANIMAL.
Excuse the Caps, that’s how the reference page had it displayed
There’s a bar in Bradenton Florida that allows dogs, they get around the law by not serving food. We were there one afternoon when a woman brought her rat-dog in and it proceeded to get in the face of a larger dog. Well Foo-Foo got nipped for being a A-hole, no real damage, but MaMa got all upset and left carrying the dog. Nice day, good beer and a side show.
Many people purchase a service dog vest and documentation so their pet can accompany them – and I sure understand that – what is the harm they may ask. One problem is that pet dogs are not trained to ignore service dogs so while they are in a “no dogs” area service dogs can be barked at, bitten, and distracted from their jobs.
One friend’s service dog that was provided through 25000 worth of donations had to be retired because a fake service dog attacked it in a store. Even a few seconds of distraction can be the difference between a dog alerting to something dangerous or missing it completely.
People with genuine service dogs had a disability that makes life difficult and their dogs are a life line but simply doing a bit of shopping is exhausting as they have to keep navigating around unruly dogs (and people!) Remember if you see a service dog admire it from afar, keep your pets away and don’t pet – really don’t even ask just let the stranger with a dog get on with their day the same way you did with the thousands who passed you without a dog.
Please respect the needs of service dogs to be in a distraction free environment. If you do need a self trained dog get help with its training so it can take care of you and not cause distress for someone who cannot function without their canine partner.
Easy ways to detect a fake – if it is carried it is not a service dog, if it barks and behaves badly it is not a service dog, if it lunges at people or animals it is not a service dog. If it is wearing a tutu or sitting at a table (or both…) it is not a service dog.
Any dog – with or without papers can be asked to leave if it is misbehaving or causing a disturbance.
WoodEye over 6 years ago
He’s right.
c.davies over 6 years ago
I absolutely agree!
cabalonrye over 6 years ago
That’s one thing I don’t understand. In France service dogs are certified, and have the papers to prove it, why not in the US?
Emlyn Premium Member over 6 years ago
Is this a special service dog day or something? Because they were all over the supermarket today.
WoodEye over 6 years ago
All over France and Italy every bar has it’s dog. The mutt’s job is to clean up any dropped “American fries” and to chase a stick that the bartender will supply. It’s all good fun and almost everyone loves it.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 over 6 years ago
§ 35.136 SERVICE ANIMALS INQUIRIES. A PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL NOT ASK ABOUT THE NATURE OR EXTENT OF A PERSON’S DISABILITY, BUT MAY MAKE TWO INQUIRIES TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN ANIMAL QUALIFIES AS A SERVICE ANIMAL. A PUBLIC ENTITY MAY ASK IF THE ANIMAL IS REQUIRED BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY AND WHAT WORK OR TASK THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN TRAINED TO PERFORM. A PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL NOT REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION, SUCH AS PROOF THAT THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN CERTIFIED, TRAINED, OR LICENSED AS A SERVICE ANIMAL.
Excuse the Caps, that’s how the reference page had it displayed
BeniHanna6 Premium Member over 6 years ago
There’s a bar in Bradenton Florida that allows dogs, they get around the law by not serving food. We were there one afternoon when a woman brought her rat-dog in and it proceeded to get in the face of a larger dog. Well Foo-Foo got nipped for being a A-hole, no real damage, but MaMa got all upset and left carrying the dog. Nice day, good beer and a side show.
sharonq over 6 years ago
Thanks for a smile – and an important reminder.
Many people purchase a service dog vest and documentation so their pet can accompany them – and I sure understand that – what is the harm they may ask. One problem is that pet dogs are not trained to ignore service dogs so while they are in a “no dogs” area service dogs can be barked at, bitten, and distracted from their jobs.
One friend’s service dog that was provided through 25000 worth of donations had to be retired because a fake service dog attacked it in a store. Even a few seconds of distraction can be the difference between a dog alerting to something dangerous or missing it completely.
People with genuine service dogs had a disability that makes life difficult and their dogs are a life line but simply doing a bit of shopping is exhausting as they have to keep navigating around unruly dogs (and people!) Remember if you see a service dog admire it from afar, keep your pets away and don’t pet – really don’t even ask just let the stranger with a dog get on with their day the same way you did with the thousands who passed you without a dog.
Please respect the needs of service dogs to be in a distraction free environment. If you do need a self trained dog get help with its training so it can take care of you and not cause distress for someone who cannot function without their canine partner.
Easy ways to detect a fake – if it is carried it is not a service dog, if it barks and behaves badly it is not a service dog, if it lunges at people or animals it is not a service dog. If it is wearing a tutu or sitting at a table (or both…) it is not a service dog.
Any dog – with or without papers can be asked to leave if it is misbehaving or causing a disturbance.
Thank you for a great comic.
Sharon – Puppy Raiser to 3 awesome service dogs.
Dewsolo over 6 years ago
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/investigations/13-on-your-side/family-of-disabled-boy-says-michigan-motel-refused-entry-to-service-dog/462847930