Disabled person in Wal-Mart thrown out!

[mike001]

I was just reading an article in the Tribunal I think it was. The reason for such a fuss being made at Wal-Mart about the pittie who was supposed to be a service dog, was because there were a lot of kids in the store at the time and the manager got worried. She apparently asked the woman for proof that her dog was a service dog and the woman refused and started a fuss, claiming her dog's "rights" The manager only wanted reassurance that the dog was indeed trained and safe, but the woman adamantly refused.
If someone asked me for proof I wouldn't hesitate showing it. But our dogs wear a red and black tag, so the proof would be there. I think there is always two sides to every story.
Sorry I didn't get any "links" or anything, but this was in the news that I get on the net.

[lvpets2002]

Thank you & thats what I said too.. There is always two sides to a story.. See I wondered why the dog did not have a collar or jacket on stating this.. The Wal-Mart I go too there is a guy every Saturday in there with his dog with a labeled jacket.. Your right why didnt the woman just show proof?? Because she just wanted to make a scene & which it worked..

[NicoleLJ]

There is no legal reason to have to show any proof in the States. Service dog in the States do not have to wear any identifying vests, harnesses or tags. They do not have to be certified. And asking for proof is actually agianst the law. Legally there are only 3 questions a business can ask a service dog handler. Is that a Service Animal, Are you Disabled and What tasks is you Service Dog trained to do? Those are the only things they can ask. Since not all Service dogs wear gear and not all are certified asking for proof is not a legal requirement for Access.

In Canada the only proof that can be requested is a Dr.s note. Not certifacation or tags.

I was not there in Walmart so I do not know the whole story. I am only posting what can legally be asked. If you would like links to this I will gladly post them.
Nicole

[mike001]

Nobody is talking about "legal" anything. Everyone knows the three "legal" questions stores can ask, so please could we do without the links.
If the woman wasn't looking for trouble and her dog was in fact a SD then she could have shown proof as a matter of courtesy.
Sounds to me like she was on some kind of bandwagon to attract attention from what I read.
Our dogs have a black and red tag so it's evident to all that they are in fact service dogs.
I would never attract attention to myself the way this woman did, I would have pulled out my ID.
I always am interested in both sides of a story, the one sided ones always leave questions in my mind.
This story sounded fishy and I guess it was. My opinion.

[beeniesmom]

I didn't know that they couldn't ask for proof.
I think they people should have to provide proof...
If stores don't ask for proof then I'll start bringing mine wherever I go...
Just kidding.

[critter crazy]

I didn't know that they couldn't ask for proof.
I think they people should have to provide proof...
If stores don't ask for proof then I'll start bringing mine wherever I go...
Just kidding.

That is a valid point! seems like proof should be necessary, other wise everybody would claim to have a Service dog, just so they could come in the stores!

[NicoleLJ]

That is a valid point! seems like proof should be necessary, other wise everybody would claim to have a Service dog, just so they could come in the stores!

What should be and what is are two totally different points. Personally I think all Service Dogs should be Vested or harnessed. Sheena and I never go out into a business without her vest on. This is not just so people can see she is working but also so kids can see the difference and so can businesses. But this is an opinion only. The law is that they don't have to be. So what is and what should be is two totally different things.
Nicole

[mike001]

Yes and you'd be surprised at how many do. That's why we have to have tags for our dogs and if we put their cape on there are plastic windows on each side to slide your ID in. In my opinion if you have nothing to hide, why make a big deal out of "legal" mumbo jumbo. Owner trained dogs are not recognized in most parts of Canada and never in Quebec. PSYCH dogs are also not recognized for the simple reason that there are psychyatrists to work with these disabilities. Our dogs do have to pass an access rights test before being qualified. To each his own I guess, but I totally approve of asking for ID. Not any worse than being asked for ID to get in a bar.

[NicoleLJ]

Since not all Service dogs are certified or have 'tags" then one reason she didn't provide any could have been because she didn't have any. So Saying she should have provided it out of courtousy is ludicrous. You have no idea if she even had any to begin with and since legally she doesn't have to have any it does not matter if they asked for it. They can't legally ask for it.
Nicole