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?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

For me, it's about kenahora and the evil eye. ;)

[Pat and Traveler]

Talking about disabled tags for vehicles, my boss had surgery on her foot and I drove her to and from work for a while.  I had her disabled tag for these trips.  One day she got a ride home with someone else, and when I headed toward my car, which was parked at a meter and displaying the disabled tag, I was minus the disabled person and there was a cop waiting by my car.  I wasn't sure if my explanation would convince a suspicious cop, so I just walked around the block and then lurked in doorways, waiting for the law to find something else to do.  It took about 20 minutes, but the coast was finally clear and I made my escape.  :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I had a similar thing happen when I walked back to my ex's vehicle after taking him in for physical therapy. The officer did ask me where the handicapped person was, and I honestly thought he was going to go into the physical therapy facility to verify my story, lol!

[Richard Crowe]

I totally agree.  When  Holly was attending Therapy Dog Boot Camp, she was issued a "Therapy Dog In Training" vest.  However, we had to sign a contract that stated we accepted that Holly was NOT a therapy dog and did NOT have the right of access that service dogs are allowed in California.

 

In California, persons with service dogs are required to carry ID cards stating that the dog is a service dog.

 

 

[Cindy Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP]

Yes, I have seen this happen and I get requests from people way too often to certify their pets as service dogs when they really do not understand or care to understand the real role of a service dog and the intensive training and expense that goes into these dogs. Not every dog is cut out for this work. I have a Golden Retriever who was career changed out of a service dog program because she didn't have what it takes. I have trained her to be a demonstration dog. This makes me angry when people try to abuse this right that belongs, under federal law, to people with genuine disabilities with genuine service dogs.

[Stephanie]

I used to work with someone who claimed to have an assistance dog, but he was untrained.  He was a very unruly Golden Retriever.

The main problem I have is if you are just honest with some places of business they will allow you to bring in a well mannered dog.  I was just at Lowe's the other day on a spur of the moment trip and happened to have my dog with me.  I explained that it was 100 degrees out and I just needed to pick up one item, with the heat that high I refused to leave my dog in the car.  So they let him in knowing he wasn't an assistance dog, I just happened to have him with me.  He did very well!

[Carol and Banjo]

Most Lowe's stores allow dogs inside.   We've been bringing Banjo into Lowe's since puppyhood.