Service Dogs

There are more of these kinds of animals out and about these days, or so it seems to me. I saw recently on the news that a couple and their service dogs were given the boot from a restaurant in Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Florida. Apparently the wait staff didn’t think the dogs looked like ‘service’ dogs, and I am not sure of what that stereotype means exactly. I did see a video of the dogs and they weren't wearing vests or leading blind folks around so there was that. The restaurant was in the wrong, however because service dogs do not need to wear vests and the people they serve do not need to carry proof or documentation. The only questions the wait staff (or anyone else in a public building) can ask a person with a disability and their service dog with them in public are, Is this a service dog? and What service does the dog provide? The disabled person is not required to state their disability, and some things like seizure disorders or PTSD are not as obvious as other disabilities might be. The service dog and owner can be asked to leave if the dog is not housebroken or is not under the control of its owner.

In another instance of well meaning folks misunderstanding service animals, a friend of mine who has a service dog ran into similar resistance at of all places a veterinary school. That seemed pretty ironic to me but definitely brings to light the need to refresh the public’s education about the laws regarding disabled folks and their service animals. These animals play a big role in abling the disabled to enjoy everyday life in a safe manner and for them they are much more than just man’s best friend. They are lifesavers.