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

[freshwest]

176. If it's a certified service dog, it doesn't matter what the disability is or what he is.

Last edited Sat Dec 8, 2012, 07:24 PM - Edit history (1)

When you look at the photo at the link, the dog is clearly harnessed like a service dog. It's common practice to allow a service dog on public transportation and retail and public establishments. In fact most businesses have signs allowing them and it's the law.

The reason many people won't discuss their disability in public is because of the attitude of the public who judge a person based on their own health and life, and know nothing of the medical case. These presumptions are often petty and ill spirited, much like tea baggers. The video of baggers bullying a Parkinson's disease sufferer and him a 'communist' and telling him he was a beggar, tossing money is a classic. Abusing someone they know nothing about whatsoever, does happen.

I think the vet reference comes more into play because he was wearing a shirt and the clerk saw fit to tie that into a protest group. Many vets wear such things, many do not. I'm not sure why they do, perhaps they desire comfort from other veterans, or the public.

The rudeness of the employee really had nothing to do with the dog or the man being a vet. He just thought he could use him as toilet paper. I'm glad someone called him and the store on it. Life is hard enough without all this dreck being shoved in faces for no reason other than one person thinking they're entitled to do so.