Is it REALLY a service dog?

[eroomlorac]

I took my granddaughter to MacDonald's today for lunch and for her to play in the indoor play area. Some lady comes in with a service dog and her three children and she sits next to me. So I ask her what kind of service dog it is and she tells me it helps here ADHD child 'get centered' and calm down so she doesn't have to medicate her daughter so heavily. The lady said she brought it to MacDonalds because it gets nervous around a lot or children. Of course, several of the children are interested in the dog and the lady lets the kids pet the dog, all the while she is saying to the dog "Be gentle.......be good, Bella". That piques my interest. Why would you have to tell a service dog to be gentle and be good? I ask her from what agency did the dog come from. She mentioned some agency, I can't remember the name, near Salinas, Kansas. The dog is not really wearing a vest, but has one of those doggie back pack looking things you can get at Petco or Petsmart. The dog is looking nervous with all the kids running around and all the commotion that goes on at MacDonald's play area at lunch time. My granddaughter comes running up to me and this "service dog" jumps at her and snaps at her as she runs past it. Now, tell me, would a real service dog do that? I gasp and the lady turns to see what happened. I told her the dog snapped at my granddaughter. The lady said she wasn't watching but that she was so sorry. The dog didn't bite my granddaughter but it did snap at her. I think it was a nervous, scared dog sort of nip, like a fear biter. I told my granddaughter not to run past the dog anymore, that it made the dog scared and we left soon after. Do you really think this was a service dog? Would any agency let a dog pass as a service dog for a 10 year old child that was nervous around a bunch of kids and that had a tendancy to nip? Aren't they rigorously tested in many different situations to be sure they are reliable? I've heard they are tested around wheelchairs, people with crutches, noisy places, busy places, etc. What or who would stop someone entering any establishment with a dog that appears to be a service dog and ask if it really is? Anyone could put a backpack on their dog, say it is a service dog and take it anywhere, couldn't they? Except my dogs would act like loonies and it would be obvious they aren't service dogs. I do not believe this dog was really a service dog from an agency. I believe this lady got her kids a dog and decided she was going to try to make it a service dog for her child. I am still so angry that dog snapped at my granddaughter. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject? Am I justified in my anger? My daughter did NOT ever pet that dog, let alone tease it or annoy it.
I guess the important thing is my granddaughter did not get hurt.

 

[threewingedfury]

I seriously doubt it was a service dog. I used to work for a rescue where a lady had a trained service dog and theres no way that it would snap at a child, and would ignore any type of attention someone would give it other than when it had to do its job. You don't baby service dogs, nor do you really let people pet them while they're doing their job. It was just someone probably trying to bend the rules and lie to bring their dog to McDonalds, which is just sick.

 

[Meredith]

No way, this lady is just nuts and wants to bring her family dog into places it's not allowed.

Real service dogs don't do or wear any of the things you described. They also don't need prompting to "be gentle". And someone truly in need of a service dog doesn't let the general public just come up and pet it.

 

[TillyChinchilla]

There are all types of service animals. Even people who suffer from panic attacks have service birds or other animals. Some people have service monkeys, miniature horses, etc...

However this story seems really fishy. I don't think that the woman properly acquired the dog from the sound of it. But if McDonalds (do people in your area say MacDonald's? hehe) kicked her out with the dog, and she WAS allowed to have it - where, there is a nice lawsuit for McD.

I would have made a case to the restaurant GM to ask her to leave because of the dog snapping. That isn't appropriate, service dog or not.

I may be wrong about what should have been done, I don't know if there is a registry or something these dogs have to go through.

 

[eroomlorac]

There are all types of service animals. Even people who suffer from panic attacks have service birds or other animals. Some people have service monkeys, miniature horses, etc...

However this story seems really fishy. I don't think that the woman properly acquired the dog from the sound of it. But if McDonalds (do people in your area say MacDonald's? hehe) kicked her out with the dog, and she WAS allowed to have it - where, there is a nice lawsuit for McD.

I would have made a case to the restaurant GM to ask her to leave because of the dog snapping. That isn't appropriate, service dog or not.

I may be wrong about what should have been done, I don't know if there is a registry or something these dogs have to go through.

Oops. Did I spell McDonald's wrong? Sorry. My granddaughter was tired so we just left. The dog wasn't really working, I don't think. Not that I really think it was a service dog, anyway. The child was off and playing in the play area. The lady was just trying to get her 'service dog' accustomed to the chaos of a bunch of kids. I think a service dog arrives to you ALL READY accustomed to all the chaos of a bunch of kids and then some?

 

[Rickman]

I believe she has to have an I.D. and a Special License for the dog, to bring it inside an establishment, let alone a resturant - I'd advise both McD's and the police on what happened, as next time, it might be too late for another child, and then the dog!

 

[Ash]

Yeah, Carol, they would be. Service dogs are SUPPOSED to be trained everywhere. Malls, markets, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

 

[alli713]

This reminds me of one time I was walking downtown and these two women were walking in front of me. They were walking two dogs both of which had handmade vets. I know they were handmade because they were cotton fabric with the word "Service Dog" written in permanent marker. And the one dog was going crazy pulling the lady and going all over the place.

So even if this woman was training her dog to be a service dog, I don't think she picked the right dog for the job. Many times service dogs are picked as puppies or rehabed from shelters. They would pick a calm dog without issues, or they would work the issues out before homing it with a family that needs a service dog.

So anyways, I think this lady just wanted to bring her dog with her into the stores downtown. I don't know, but it was rather disturbing.

 

[Jenn]

I totally appreciate service dogs and the right to have them at any location. I can't stand the people that bring their little mini dog with them shopping, or especially at restaurants where animals don't belong (unless they're a service animal). I can't believe these people find the need to bring their dog everywhere with them. Leave the dog in the car or at home for goodness sake! A dog will be just fine without it's owner for 5 minutes...but again, service dogs are a different story...

 

[AmandaDi]

I have a service dog and know the ins and outs of it all...

I suspect this was not a "true" service dog.

You do not HAVE to go through an agency or have your dog licensed in order for it to be a service dog. This is highly debatable in the service dog world. In my opinion, a dog should have to go through some sort of certification process before being able to be out in public places.

It is against the law to ask for proof of a service dog. Again, I think they should have to show proof. There are too many people who are abusing the system and are getting away with bringing in random dogs and saying they are service animals.

I got my dog through an organization. She is highly trained. I get a lot of people who ask if she bites. My initial thought, "why would i bring a dog that bites into the public!". I do let people pet my dog IF they ask first and IF she is having a good day. People less likely to let someone pet their dog is usually when it is a seeing eye dog because they must remained focused at all times.

The only time an organization can ask a person with a SD to leave is if the animal is being disruptive (barking without cueing to a disorder the owner has) or being agressive. My service dog has become a little frightened in busy places (she hates Chuck-E-Cheese) but this is because of rude people who come up from behind her and grab her and startle her. So it is possible to have a frightened dog... but not an agressive one!

There are service dogs for all kinds of disorders. My brother has actually applied for one for his PTSD. So it is possible to have a SD for ADHD, though it is not something I have heard of.

 

[Riven]

In my opinion, a dog should have to go through some sort of certification process before being able to be out in public places.

I had dog that was companion animal certified and I think that this should be a requirement, properly trained companion dogs should not be frightened, show NO aggression at any point, etc. They must also be UTD on shots, etc. Most places then insure a registered companion dog, I know the local place it's insured for 1 million worth of damages, so if for some chance the dog did freak out and attack someone...

I would've gotten her name and filed a report, because although it didn't actually bite, it acted aggressive, and if that's on police file then when it does actually attack someone they have a better chance.

Personally, I've never seen anyone with a service dog in an eating establishment, it does violate safety and health codes so you'd think that they'd require you so some sort of proof.

I should make a vest for my dog and see how many places I can get her into that normally animals would not be allowed... It would be an interesting study.

I agree with Amanda's POV, that it should be certified, because it only takes a couple "bad service dogs" to ruin it for all of them.

As for the lady, obviously her kid as other issues. I personally think that ADHD is an excuse for millions of parents to just not discipline their kids. On of my husband's friends daughter supposedly has ADHD, and I watched them for a couple days, and after the first time I made her clean up the huge mess she made, and the makeup all over the walls... she was very good for me.

And that lady with the octuplets... is getting SSI for one of her kids that HAS ADHD?! Give me a break. I think I suddenly have it too.. what was I talking about? Oh yea.. what was I doing?

 

[Leah]

It is against the law to ask for proof of a service dog.

Just out of curiosity, why is it illegal to ask for proof?

 

[AmandaDi]

Leah, you know, Im not 100% sure. I just know its covered under the law. They arent required to wear a vest or anything either... I always have mine wear her vest when we are out because its one less person that asks why I have a dog in there. If anyone asks for proof with my dog, I offer it to them, but I also let them know that they are not allowed to ask. --- again, I personally think they should be able to!

I take my SD to restaurants all the time! She lays under the table and no one knows she is even there! When I got her I was taught all the rules and so forth and was told it was courtesy NOT to take the dog up to buffet lines simply for sanitation... but they are allowed to go there. Usually I just tell ppl what I want and they get it for me, but if I have go see the line, I ask someone in my party to stay back with my dog while I go look.

Once I was at a hotel in the breakfast area and a women went to complain. The manager come over and asked me to leave. Said someone complained and having a dog in the food area was against health code. I simply told him that she had a right to be there and I handed him a copy of the law. He made a copy and appoligized but said he had to adhere to complaints. We stayed, the lady left. I could understand if my dog was standing the the middle of the room shaking all over... but she was laying down minding her own business!


The only real place a service dog cannot go is the surgical rooms or sterilized rooms in the ICU and so forth. Common sense! Some humans arent even allowed in there!

Yes Nicole, one crazy dog could ruin it all for those of us who need them! But if you ever decide to 'do a study' let me know how it goes!! LOL

 

[alli713]

That just seems so odd to me that the dog doesn't have to be certified to go out as a service dog. It seems like a huge safety issue. Like the dog that Carol saw. If just anyone is allowed to apply (or whatever process it is) to bring their dog out as a service dog it seems like there'd be the possibility of someone getting hurt by a dog that isn't taught how to react in stressful situations.

 

[Riven]

I'll have to think up a good 'reason' why I have her there...

I was thinking about dogs going to the YMCA (gym) the other day, and was thinking about how people teach dogs to run on treadmills.. I wonder if you'd have to pay a fee for the dog too! I could take my service dog to the gym, the store, hairstylist ( even though I haven't been for years), what about a museum... hmmm. The possibilities are endless! I used to take Chelsie to the nursing home for visits, my friend worked there and they welcomed and expected us of course, so that wouldn't be surprising.. maybe check out some "no pets" hotels... LOL

My husband met this guy once, who had a "service parrot" I guess that the parrot would let him know if he was going to have a seizure, so he could either prevent or prepare for it. I guess the parrot was pretty cool, and wore a diaper so it didn't crap all over!

 

[Ash]

Wow, this is just crazy. I can't believe you can't ask for proof, and all that stuff.

 

[AmandaDi]

maybe check out some "no pets" hotels... LOL

Even I have trouble at some of the no pet hotels!!! I try to stay at pet friendly ones just so I dont have to deal with it... but I have had to stay at some others and they can get rude!

LMAO about the bird in pampers!

 

[Spoof]

My roommate's mom just got done with the first stage of training with a seeing-eye lab. She was brilliant at 8 months, it is amazing what they can do!

They changed it. You can ask, you just can't insist on proof or deny them access if they can't provide it.

You can also ask the person to have the service animal lie down elsewhere if it is being a nuisance. You can also exclude it from the establishment (see #10) if it acts aggressive towards people.

3. Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?

A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.

 

[equus_peduus]

Just out of curiosity, why is it illegal to ask for proof?

I think I've heard that it has to do with privacy laws. I also believe that for seeing eye dogs, at least, dogs in training aren't required by law to be allowed everywhere, though working dogs are; I don't know what the rules are for other types of service dogs. I also believe that no-pets-allowed apartments have to allow service dogs with proof. It seems to me that there are so many types of service dogs out there that it's really hard to figure out how legitimate some of them are... And just because it's a service dog doesn't mean that it doesn't have its limits... and the handler should know what that dog's limits are and be responsible about them!

 

[eroomlorac]

I should make a vest for my dog and see how many places I can get her into that normally animals would not be allowed... It would be an interesting study.

I think you would get your dog into a lot of places. In trying to research where this dog might have come from (near Salinas, Kansas), I came across a website of a service dog agency that you could order patches from to sew on the dog's vest. I'm not sure if anyone could buy them or only people who have obtained service dogs from that agency.

You do not HAVE to go through an agency or have your dog licensed in order for it to be a service dog. This is highly debatable in the service dog world. In my opinion, a dog should have to go through some sort of certification process before being able to be out in public places.

I find this amazing. So, I could declare one of my dogs a service dog? I swear, this dog was not safe to have around very busy places. It's interesting you have to have your dog pass tests to be taken into hospitals and nursing homes but not to declare it a service dog. This dog I saw at McDonald's was not laying quitly on the floor but was eating crumbs off the floor and was watching each child go by with great interest.