Fake Service Dogs

[Camilla and Darwin]

This has been something that has bothered me for a LONG time now. So this is somewhat of a rant

People will buy fake service dog vests from online sources, and then take their pet into stores with them. Even people who use their therapy dog vests to pass their dog as a service dog bug me. There was a woman trying to take in her St Bernard to a walmart, stating that he was a therapy dog for "severe melancholy"....

I have read a lot about issues that real service dogs have getting into places, because of these people. Basically, someone will take in a dog who is NOT a legitimate service animal, then the dog will cause problems or disruptions because it is a pet, and not as well trained as a legitimate service animal. Then the owner will not want to allow in any service dogs in the future, and even though they are required, will be more difficult or try to avoid allowing it. 

Do you know anyone who does this? I know a woman who adopted a 6 month old black lab from the shelter last year. She purchased a service dog vest online and takes him everywhere with her, claiming he's a real service dog. This dog is not well trained, will react to other dogs, kids, cats, etc. And barks when he's in public places. Basically, he actually creates disturbances. She does have a disability, she has Parkinson's disease, an uncommon form of it. She told me she uses him to pull herself up when she falls. That is the only service he performs aside from companionship. The point is that when out in public, the dog doesn't aid her. In fact he's a hindrance because she constantly has to control/drag him away from whatever he's reacting to.

She posted a status today about how annoyed she was with a man trying to pass his little toy breed off as a service dog. She said she confronted him because it's just wrong. She doesn't see that she does the same thing??? I want so badly to tell her off/confront her but I'm too much of a wimp to do so. Is there a good way for store owners to distinguish between a legitimate service dog and these false online certifications?

Have any of you come across someone who does this?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Karen, I have MS and legitimately hold a Driving Sticker.  The amount of times I am challenged because I don't appear disabled is incredible.  I have been asked what my disability is and this is what I now answer.

"My disability is that when I am asked what my disability is I turn into a raving loony and have been known to commit murder"

This usually ends their curiosity!

 

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's a great answer, Nicky!

It really used to bother me.  I just didn't feel I had to give personal information about my husband's health to a stranger in a parking lot, and you shouldn't have to either.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

So true, so many disabilities are invisible. I have neck and back injuries that I sustained when I was born (so they believe - i was the wrong way round). Over time (30 years) the vertebra in my neck and upper back have degenerated to the point where I couldnt move without excruciating pain. But to people who didnt know me, my injuries were invisible. I had 6 months of physio, and have had 1 year chirpractic treatment. I still go one a week, im not totally healed, but i can function well now, and have little pain. My work collegue never believed the pain I was in and thought chiropractic treatment was hokum and she made work life very uncomfortable for me every day because I couldnt do heavy lifting. To this day i believe she had a part in me loosing my job last year

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is unfortunate. It's bad enough to be in pain but it's also hard to not be believed.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I can';t tell you how many times that happens to me. all the time... Usually I park in Handicap especially here in SC it is too hot to breathe.. I am very shy about wearing my oxygen in public so if I am just going in the store for a minute or two I will leave it in the car... I am in my 30's I usually wear make up at least a little and up until recently I didn't limp or anything. I have been called all kinds of names.  Honked at and given the finger. Even today, after all i am going through health wise... heart infection, spine trouble I stopped at the dollar store to get Molly a present for her birthday and a man older gave me dirty looks so much so that I wanted to scream at him.... I no longer whip out my ivs to validate the tubes coming out of my body. Screw you I don't have to answer to you not should I pay the price for people who do he wrong thing.  Done ranting

Jack is a medical alert dog which is different then a working dog so to speak, The guidelines are not the same. Jack's only job is to alert me to when I am going to have trouble with my airway and he is freaking amazing at it. My job as having a dog who is a medical alert dog is to keep him under control, sort of the same rules as what you would expect to a CGC dog. Up until recently I just carried the paper work with me and my handler badge. I only got him a vest because people didn't see anything on him and I hated being stopped.

I do know that people use the vest generically, I am not sure if they actually say an organization on them or not. I do not bring Jack every where with me but I like the fact that I can. His behavior is less then par in Pet smart because he is very distracted with cats. other then that he is perfect in a store totally.

[Pat and Traveler]

Wonderful answer, Nicky!  Bad enough to have MS without having to defend your need to park as close as possible to where you need to go. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is perfect....I'd love to see the look on their faces.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here's another site, the ADA's FAQ about service animals, last updated in 2008 though. IT covers some of the things we were wondering about.

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

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Come on Daisy, let's go down to the Mall and do some shopping....oops forgot your service vest, where did I see that last, oh that's right, next to your Thunder Shirt in the closet.

It's just wrong, but there is a lot more wrong going on in this world to get yourself all worked up about, people are gonna do what they are gonna do. Your not a wimp, you are just nice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perfect!

[Camilla and Darwin]

:-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was asked to leave a Bed Bath and Beyond this spring, a chain we had been welcome in. The manager explained it was because they sell food--right, wrapped candy, really?