service dog not allowed on NJ boardwalk - Page 1

• http://www.inquisitr.com/898648/disable-veteran-kicked-off-boardwalk-for-walking-with-service-dog/

 




 
 

This article really rang a bell for me and I could relate with it.  My Malinois is my service dog. I've got an "invisible" disease. My dog helps me in so many different ways. I am asked all the time why I've got him and have been asked to leave two establishments! Thankfully I know my rights, and was able to stand my ground.I later received apologies from both businesses.  Also, in the article it  mentions an ID card for the dog. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Assoc) doesn't require these dogs to have ID cards.  I always carry a letter from my Neurologist that I need a service dog, but showing that isn't even required.  I hope the Vet mentioned in the article stands up for himself in court. Having service dogs when you don't have a visible disability can be very trying to say the least.  However, it's our right as a people with a disability. Believe me, I'd rather not have to have the extra help of my 4 legged friend, but such is life. Thank you for posting the article.
 

How dare him;  who the hell does he think he is (or she).  Smells like a law suit to me.  I would press charges against that asshole. 

How degrading for the veteran, being in a chair already makes you feel like shit, and to have that sob have the guts to actually ask him to leave is beyond me.  Sorry had to rant.  Nan

He should have asked for a shift supervisor to be called. If he files a complaint with the DOJ he will get a check and never have to sue 

Vonissk,
I saw this on the news on Fox this morning too. I'm really happy it's getting a lot of coverage and I hope the Vet get's an apology. I can tell you from experience though, an apology doesn't take away the embarrassment which you experience at the time. You feel like you've done something wrong eventhough  you haven't and it's very belittling. Every time I take my service dog somewhere, it's an uphill battle because you can't see my disability.  (I have MS and seizures). It is frustrating, hurtful, and very annoying to constantly be questioned by people about your service dog even though mine always have his vest on in plain view. I agree with you also that these fake service dogs which you can get ID for and that little certificate online is such a scam and makes all service dog handlers have to deal with even more problems.

Vonissk,
I'm a veteran myself and my husband is currently on active duty (Army 23+ years service). I have started to see more  active duty soldiers and veterans  who have service dogs for PTSD and other injuries. The public needs to be more aware that some disabilities can't be seen. That doesn't mean they are any less traumatic to the person who has to deal with these things on a daily basis. Thanks to my dog, I'm able to do a lot of things I wouldn't be able to without him helping. I wish people would understand, we have these dogs to assist, we don't want to be sick or have a disability, it's just the cards we were dealt. We're making the most of our lives and trying to be as normal as possible. Our service dogs help us do that. Thanks for the support!

PMWatch, I hear ya! It is much easier in the city I live now for myservice partner and I however, on the whole it is still a challange. You get all kinds of comments like you arnt blind why have a dog? or Whats wrong with you? You learn what types of establishments to avoid and which chains on the whole have employees that do not like or support service dog usage. One host at a restaurant asked me if I was joking him and was he on a hidden camera show trying to bring my dog in. I have been egged outside a grocery store. The weirdest incident was the sweetest older Chinese man that was trying so hard to communicate with me though very limited english so we used lots of hand gestures but I really had to get across to him that getting on the floor and putting his nose against dogs nose and staring into his eyes was not a great thing to do.... Thank god my dog in vest is rock solid and just gave me the look of mom what is this man doing to me. In a restarant he is on the floor with the dog and his wife was terrified of the dog and had moved tables noisily and he basically left her to play with the dog lol... You get all kinds of complaints, remarks, but sometimes it works to your advantage like having stood in line at DMV then next just to get the number to go get the other number that will tell you when you are to get actual help from the chair parking lot. Along comes a new person to the line with a toddler that is unrestrained to hug the back end of your dog.... yes again thank god my dog is rock solid in vest. You say loudly "good thing my dog is awesome with children so he did not get bitten" In hopes the mom would get the hint and retrieve the child, no they never get the hint but I always try. As my dog and I move forward to the desk at our turn.... I get to the lady dog is still standing and child came with us and then tries to use dog as pony ride climbing on side to which then I must look like the bitch in the room and say "come parent your child.... my dog is not your babysitter or a pony" The DMV lady did not want me seated in the chair parking lot with this child and have an incident so I was skipped ahead to the help area. I did not like this as it is NOT fair to the other people I had waited with. .... I could go on with incidents both good and bad but it would be a book which is not a bad idea to write one really. The woman that ran up behind grabbing my elbow from behind thiking i was blind and my guide dog was leading me in to a tripping fall, the man that thought I was alone and verbally assaulted me Friday morning in my neighborhood not realising two other ladies were behind a building to wittness it all, the waitress that ran up screaming to the table my 10 year old son, dog and I had just been seated at waving a menu screaming I've got the braille menu I'm coming like she thought I was blind and deaf............