Due to my medical condition I have a service dog.
This is not the stereotypical service dog that is found on TV or in movies. She is a small, seven-pound Havanese - and hypo allergenic I might add.
My husband, service dog and myself went shopping Tuesday evening. We go to a large warehouse store a couple times a week and most of the employees are well aware of the service dog and treat her and myself quite respectfully.
If they are unsure, they ask "is this a service dog?" without reaching a negative conclusion prior to speaking with me.
Our next stop was a large Canadian shopping store. This was my second time going in this store to buy items. First time around, I was told "no dogs allowed in the store" in a quite abrupt tone.
I promptly pulled out my identification for her and showed the employee without saying a word.
Second time in this store, I overheard a couple customers say "that isn't right," "you could complain, you have every right."
I didn't approach them, as that would be jumping to conclusions on my behalf, and carried on shopping. We (my husband, service dog and myself) made it to the dairy section before the evening manager had approached us, put his leg on the cooler and arms bent with his hands on his waist and said "dogs are not allowed in the store" in a quite accusatory tone like I should drop my groceries and leave.
I looked at him, pulled out my identification and showed it to him while saying "pretty sure you can't kick us out."
He took the card, held it and while looking at it went on to say "lap dogs aren't service dogs."
I continued to look at him and said "wow, you are stereo typing what type of dog is a service dog," he carried on talking and said "they usually have leashes."
I just looked at him and shook my head... what about that makes any sense?
He handed my card back and said "OK" and walked away.
The whole time his demeanor and tone was rude and accusatory. Not once did he apologize.
The biggest sad part is... this large Canadian shopping store has a medical clinic and pharmacy and yet management couldn't handle addressing an individual with a service dog.
Do I need to wear a big sign that I have a medical condition and, therefore, have the aid of a service dog? If you are going to jump to conclusions before speaking with the individual who has the complaint against them, you probably shouldn't be in a position where you manage!
Why is it we take the side of the complainer without learning there are two sides to the story and get the other side before drawing the conclusion.
Sad to think that our society can place judgement on people based on what the outward appearance is before finding out what's on the inside. Aren't we taught to not judge a book by its cover... why then do we do it to people?
People educate yourself!
Sheryl Edwards, Prince George
