S.A. veteran says service dog was kicked out of store, harassed

[llmart]

126. I wanted to read all the replies before I posted.....

I volunteered for 11 years at a local organization that gives guide dogs to people who are blind. I also raised and trained two dogs from the time they were 6 weeks old until they were 13 months old for this organization. Both went on to become guide dogs for people who needed them. I worked in their kennels, in their offices, anywhere I was needed. I saw many, many people of all kinds come to the school to be trained with the dog they were given. The organization gives these dogs to people free of charge. They estimate that each dog costs them $26,000 to breed, raise and train. The money for the organization comes from donations, volunteers, grants, etc.

In all the years I worked there I gained a new appreciation for what it takes to train a guide dog and all the generous people who give of their time and money so that someone less fortunate than they are has the opportunity to more fully enjoy their lives. I have been privileged to be a part of what this organization calls dog issue day. It is the day the students come to the school and receive their specially, fully trained dog. It is a very emotional moment and I cried many a tear seeing how grateful these people are. I was also privileged to meet the person who received one of the dogs I raised and she thanked me profusely for raising her dog and then giving it up so that she could have it.

At times when I was feeling down or sorry for myself, it did me good to see those who were less fortunate than I work so tremendously hard to get accustomed to using their guide dog. And when I would see them out in public with their dogs I would think to myself, "There but for the grace of God go I."

So, to the poster whose name I don't remember and don't care to, who is disgusted because a vet brings his service dog into a shop and to the lowlife billy bob who owns the store, all I can say is I hope to God you never find yourself in a position where you need a service dog. You know nothing about what it takes to raise and train an assistance dog.

Oh, and by the way, the kennels where I volunteered? They were probably cleaner than billy bob's mattress store.