I know most of you put up daily with hassles from people that don’t understand what your service animal does for you. I thought it would be fun to hear some of the really dumb or funny questions people have asked you. Come on I know you’ve got one, share it here.
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a Mobility Assistance/General Service/Seizure Alert dog. I drive, and in the summer wear sunglasses. As I got out of the car, and grabbed my dog’s harness, I heard someone gasp behind me. I turned, and the woman said…”Does the dog help you drive?” I kind of made a startled sound, and she continued. “…well since you are blind and all, I thought maybe the dog helped you drive.” I just laughed and told her what my dog actually did for me. I told her I was not blind, and that I didn’t think the state of Illinois would grant a blind person a drivers license. I could not stop laughing all day.
I have had a Service Dog for only a few months so I don’t have many stories to share. The one that comes to mind isn’t really a question, but it always makes me smile and chuckle inside when it happens — so I will share.
This happens most frequently when I am standing in a line or sitting someplace. A person will come up and strike up a conversation . . . with Cura, my dog! It usually goes something like this . . .
“I know that I am not supposed to bother you because you are working, but you are such a (pretty, good, well-behaved, etc.) dog that I just have to say hello!” (Shifting attention to me) “It is just so hard not to go up and just pet them — they are so amazing! What does he do? (or What is his name?)” (btw — Cura is a female)
Why do I find this funny? Even though they know they are not to interfere with a Service Animal, some people just can’t help it and have to interact with the animal in some way. Since they know they shouldn’t pet her, they do the next best thing (for them) and talk to her. Yes, it is still a distraction, but I find it sweet and Cura is learning to ignore it as time goes on (such a bright girl for being so new to the job).
Standing in line with my Hearing Dog, Maximus… we’re next… scooting forward, I sign and say (the best I can), “I’m Deaf, please write for me” The woman writes “can you read?”… I write back, “no, I can’t read but my SD can”… :-\ lol
We were standing at the bus stop one day and someone asked if I was training her. I said I did train her and she is my dog. They asked what she did and I explained, no big deal, same question as usual. Well I did not expect the next question from someone who had just heard the previous conversation-I was asked if I rent my dog out to disabled people
I’m a paraplegic with an allergy/mobility assistance dog. I have a ton of stories of how people react to her but the one that stands out the most right now is one day we were leaving a restaurant and I said “Diamond, left” to tell her which direction to go. She turned left as usual and a woman sitting at a table nearby asked, “Wow she knows left and right?” I said “Yeah next week we’re teaching her how to drive.” And the woman goes, “But how will she get a license? Is that even legal?” All I could say was “Its included in her training.”
I had been standing in line at the wal mart pharmacy for over 20 minutes when the clerk turned around and shreiked “SHE HAD A DOG!!’. As she kept shreiking she grabbed her coworker and shoved her in front of her still shreiking. I got my things and walked off laughing…
I have a very small medical alert service dog . I live in California where the sun constantly shines. I am very sensitive to light and wear sunglasses all the time even when shopping indoors. It never fails and it never ceases to make me wonder why on a daily basis people ask me if my tiny little Pom is a seeing eye dog…
While in Walmart a woman standing next to me was telling her friend,
That’s one of those blind dogs. I turned and told her the dog can see just fine and that she was not a seeing eye dog, she just didn’t want to listen. Keeping in mind that my SD is a Beagle, the woman asked me, isn’t she to short for a blind dog. I looked right at her with a straight face and said, my SD is being trained for a Midget, then I walked away.
I thought my husband was going to burst out laughing, but fortunately
he managed to control his laughter until we were in the car.
Many times, I get the dumbest questions from the store greeters at the local Wal-Mart where I live. Rocky is a Medical Alert/Physical Asst. SD and wears a vest with markings and pockets.
A hispanic woman greeter says,”Sir,we don’t allow dogs in here!” I say, “That’s ok maam’,he’s a medical alert service dog.” She replies,”Did the manager call you?”, and I say,” the manager?”
She says,”Yes,is he here to help someone?”,and I say,”Yes,he’s here to assist me!”. She then says,”Oh.so you are a doctor?”,with a thick accent.
I’m starting to get a little steamed and my wife glares at me with a warning and I say with exaggerated excitement,”Yes,can you tell me how to get to the manager’s office so I can get started?”Then she got all excited and started pointing the way with importance. I just wanted to get into the store and after we got in,we both laughed so hard.
Another time, it was a nice elderly gentleman and he puts his hand up to stop me from entering and starts looking at my SD. I state that he is a medical alert service dog and signals when help is needed. He says,”Oh yeah,how does he know when it’s time?”
I glance at my wife and roll my eyes and say pointing at my wife,”When her water breaks!” He looks at my skinny Asian wife and says,”Wait a minute,she doesn’t look…” and stops himself. He knew he’d been had on that one and starts laughing. My wife just had this amused look on her face and I said,”You gotta love the people they hire here at Wal-Mart!”
I had visited an agency recently and took Karma SD. As I waited for my turn the lady said, I didn’t know you were blind. Now this lady has known me for quite sometime and works with goverment issues everyday. I told her, “She is for my hearing, you really need to get up with the times”.
At the Hilton in Las Vegas. The security guard looked at my litttle white Malti-poo, who’s assist is to get me back out into the public after a few years of not, and said,”So what, does she like pull people from burning buildings”? I told him, “Yeah, and we are working on her CPR”. I wanted to be around people , why? LOL
My service dog helps with mobility and a million other things. I too frequently hear that he’s a seeing eye dog who helps me drive (umm sure!
) and despite the “DO NOT PET” patches on his backpack people can’t seem to help themselves. While I’ve run across a rude Wal-Mart greeter on occasion, I must say that my Border Collie/Coonhound mix more frequently disarms people and they tend to be very curious and congenial — and in those circumstances we are given an opportunity to educate. Numerous individuals have asked what he carries in the pockets of his backpack (toys, Cheerios and Gas-X 
) and I am questioned quite often on whether or not he ever gets to be “just a dog” or does he have to work all the time?! The best comment I’ve received to date was at our Aqua Rehab class where at the public pool an elderly woman in the locker room was somewhat horrified yet tickled that they had swimming classes for dogs too! It was the first time I was mistaken as his “assistant” 
I have a chihuahua for my PTSD and anxiet disorder. She rides in a bag that has “Service Dog” embroidered on it and her identity badge. A lady walked up to me one day and said, “How can she show you where to go if she’s in a sack?” Usually people just want to pet her - which she hates. But the worst thing is that most people are just rude to me about having a chihuahua as a service dog. I’m challenged constantly by managers of stores, etc. Instead of asking if she’s a service dog, they usually just come up and rudely tell me that dogs are not allowed . . . . I make it a point to educate them . . . but in reality, I could have sued a dozen stores for their actions towards me.
There was one experience with my first SD Zinny: I was having daily outpatient treatments and my husband had taken Zinny out for a potty break.The hospital was doing some construction and someone asked my husband “Do you know where that dog is leading you,” he was going off the path due to the construction, he replied yes, I can see fine this is my wife’s SD. Most recently with my current SD Elliott: a first meeting with my new Voc Rehab counselor asked about Elliott’s training. I trained him myself with assistance from a friend. I stated he is self trained and she laughed, that is great he trained himself!
I’ve had my dogs for many years, so I have been through it all and the few law suits I have had over them have made some impact on people. However the worst of it all are the ladies who see me in my wheelchair and my pair of white Siberian Huskies and go “Oh they are so beautiful!” as they bend over to pet the dogs.
These women frequently forget that I am a man and when they bend over and exposing themselves. There I am sitting there looking off into the distance whistling some idiotic tune to destract myself, face red, heart rate speeding up hahahaha 
As a service/medical dog trainer and as an honored and thankful guardian of a medical alert canine, some of these stories are funny but some just make me realize how rude and ignorant the public really is. I try my best in my area to educate people on what to do if see a service canine. I also coach my clients very well on how to handle situations.
I recently have tried to get more funny with my answers rather than be angry with the rude questions or interactions. Thankfully, my canine Buddha~Bear is indifferent to all the strangers and only has eyes for me ;~)
Tamara “TJ” Jaffe & Buddha~Bear
I once had a complete stranger pull up in a truck beside Charlotte (who was wearing a red SD vest and tags) and I while we were walking to ask if she was spayed! He wanted to breed his Golden with Charlotte! She is beautiful, but it was a little strange that having puppies was the first thing he thought of!
I, too, am often mistaken for blind. Once, a woman next to me in the line to vote asked if the ballots were available in braille. I was looking for a room during the first day of classes, and the man I asked directions for walked out of his own class and insisted he lead me to mine!
Those, I think, are honest mistakes and are understandable.
First, I want to thank everyone! Some of you have taught me that frequently a sense of humor makes these things much easier to deal with (though I am not sure I could be as quick off the mark as some of you — very witty!). Others have helped me to realize that I am not alone in my frustrations (which is equally valuable since I am new to this whole thing).
There is one thing that happened to me just yesterday that, I believe is more than a person who “can’t help themselves” and “ignorance” that I would like to share. I was at a salon and had to get up and walk a few feet away from Cura, my SD. She was safely out of the walkway and I was going to be in sight so I elected to have her stay put since I was going to come right back (she has done this at this particular location several times, so I thought nothing of it). One of the other patrons had shown quite a bit on interest in Cura, but had not approached us so I assumed (oopps!) that this person knew how to behave around a SD.
As soon as I walked away, this person had gone up to Cura and not only started petting her but had encouraged/forced her to break her down/stay by pulling up on her collar to bring her to a seated position and was vigorously and excitedly petting her! Poor Cura didn’t have a chance — she kept turning her head in my direction, trying to remove her head from this persons grasp, and kept her backside firmly planted on the ground — given the short time she has been working, this was an amazing effort on her part. Fortunately, I was there with a family member who was able to step in because she was not only closer but could move more quickly.
It took me several minutes to get Cura back on task after this — before the interaction she had been calmly lying at my side waiting for me to be finished, after it she every movement and smell caught her attention — even the ones she had previously ignored! Fortunately, at the time we didn’t need to do anything challenging at the time! What did the person do? She left quickly — before I could even get back to Cura’s side!
Now, most times, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt — but not this time. This person waited until my back was turned, blatantly disregarded the “Please do not Pet” patches, distracted my SD, and ran! I found the whole thing very distressing and as I think about it today, it still upsets me!
My favorites are the mall cops and other psuedo cops (airline gate agents, for one) who think because they have a badge they know everything! First, of course, the infamous, “you can’t bring a dog in here”, to which I politely reply, she is a service dog to assist me and I most certainly can under the ADA. That usually backs them off. Sometimes they then get curious, and I use the episode to educate. Sometimes they don’t, and I just politely ask them for their and their superior’s names so that I can make a complete report of the ADA violation. That really backs them off! Then there was the one that told me I couldn’t use the escaltor because the mall was crowded that day! That apparently came from “upstairs”. I said, fine, and went into one of the big stores and used their escaltors. They were happy to let me! If using an escalator or an elevator in a crowded situation, I always wait for the crowd to thin some - there are people out there that are afraid of dogs, and I want their experiences around my dog to be a good one. And when I get the “dumb” questions like those already posted, I’ve given some of the same or similar off the cuff responses, depending on the situation. I do always try to be polite, even with the officious idiots (who trains these guys anyway?), and do try to educate if I think I can. Luckily I have had an SD since 2003 and most of my local stores know me and there are no problems.
I am relatively new to the animal assistance world. Because of my severe migraines, the doctor asked me not to drive anymore. My Certified Pet Therapy Bichon Frise has been “hitting” on my migraines for over 4 years as well as my breathing during an asthma attack when I should go to ER. The doctor told me to finish out whatever I needed to do to get her certified so that I could take her with me and I could drive again. After working with a service dog trainer in town, she is now going with me wherever I go alone. I have had so many people tell me that a small fluffy white dog couldn’t possible know anything. “What does she drive for you?” I’ve told people that ask how she knows when my migraine are going to come on and I just respond that I don’t know, and really don’t care. I’m just glad she knows. I live in a small town and am starting to enjoy educating the public that indeed knows very little about service dogs.
Stephanie - I hope both your family member and the salon owner explained to that person how incredibly rude she was! It truly is unfortunate when people are obviously trying to do something behind the SD owner’s back! In the case of a child, I’ll be a little more understanding, but not with adults! I’m not afraid in a case like that to say in a loud voice, “Cura, down” and “Cura, Leave it” to embarras the idiot who is blatantly disregarding the “do not pet” signs, etc. I’m also the type to on my way getting back to her saying in an equally loud (strong?) voice, “Please leave my service dog alone, you are distracting her from helping me.” Sometimes witty and off-the-cuff won’t work, but embarassment works wonders. I always love such displays of cranial-rectal insertion.
And, Stephanie, it sounds like Cura handled it well, despite her distraction for the rest of her visit. My trainer looks on episodes like the one you described as a training event - to turn the bad into good, and that sounds like what you did with her. I hope you have gone back, not necessarily to get anything done again, but to go in, sit in the same place, and have a “normal” experience so you can praise the heck out of Cura and to reinforce the “normal” behavior. Since you have been to the salon before, they should have no problem with you doing this - just call and schedule with them.
Flecks just retired after 5 years of service as a mobility dog. She was drafted when a friend told me about service dogs and that you could use your own dog. After 4 yeas of being a 4-H demo dog in obedience and agility, she was a perfect candidate. She really proved herself one night at my son’s winter concert.
Fortunately, Flecks just got up to a sit, leaned back and looked as if to say, “Am I in your way?”, and then laid right back down. And the guy disappeared without even saying he was sorry! I was so stunned, I couldn’t move for a minute, but if I had thought quicker, I might have been able to catch up with him and chew him out in the lobby. I guess I didn’t need to worry about Flecks ever biting, but they need to reconsider the owners.
Some idiot came in 20 minutes late, tried to pass his 3yo daughter over me, but she wouldn’t have it. So she walked over my arthritic feet to get back to her dad… OW! He wised up, carried her over, and they watched the rest of the concert until intermission. The little group of people around me were people I knew, and they commented on his rudeness. When intermission was over, they announced that there would be only one more set due to the increasingly bad weather. Mr.Rude gets up 20 minutes before the next is finished and (not having learned from last time) DROPS THE LITTLE GIRL ON FLECKS!!!
So I go into a grocery store not too far frrom my house. I have frequnted this store quite often and always have Delta, my SD, with me. Apparently it was new manager or something, but on this occassion he stooped me as I came in and i identified Delta as a SD. I told her she was for medical alert for me. He asked in a horrified voice, “She won’t jump in my meat conter will she?” I told him I hadn’t trained her for that, but we could start right here and now. Shouldn’t take too long as she is a very smart dog. He was shocked!
People are also asking me if my SD is a seeing eye dog. My response is that she’d do great for a leprechaun…Delta is a small sheltie (only 13″ at the shoulder). She’s worth more than her weight in gold even though she is small of stature. And the fact that she is so cute, of course, eveyone wants to pet her and they always talkt the dog. I don’t exist in her world when it comes to people coming up to her…
I have written many articles but four of them fit this. Some of these comments are mine and others are friends of mine who have had service dogs through the years.
I had a black lab as my first service dog and told one lady who was walking toward me and asked “What’s That” I said a Panther and kept right on walking.
http://www.suite101.com/articles.cfm/service_dogs/more
One has your dog been mistaken for
What do you say when questioned?
You would not believe the things people say and do!
What do you say and can I pet the funny ones.
A while back I had to testify in court. I put my dog Scout’s vest (with all of his designations and patches) on him and walked into court - quietly and with little notice from those present OTHER than the judge who stopped proceedings, looked directly at me and said, “Is that dog necessary?” You could have knocked me over with a feather. You would think that a judge would know the law.
I was totally embarrassed but sat through the whole session with Scout laying quietly at my feet showing one an all what a good ambassador he was representing all therapy/assistance dogs worldwide.
I have a standard answer when asked if my 3 lb seizure alert papillon is a seeing-eye-dog….I say , “No, the dog is blind, I’m her seeing-eye person”. After the mystified looks I then go on to expain her special abilities….
A Restaurant manger told me that she would need to get a seeing eye dog herself if see were to read the print on the back of my SD dog ID !?!
I have a service dog for Anxiety and DID and when I walked into Wallmart some guy came up to me and said “WHOA! Your blind!? Im so sorry.” (Mind you I wear glasses and had car keys in my hand.) And I pointed to my glasses and said yes, im bind these are just for fun, and the car keys are too. He then said…oh wow i didnt realize you had glasses on! ha. Or I had someone ask what it was for and I said I had anxiety, and the lady knelt down and petted my dog and said oh poor baby has anxiety… and i said…no… i do. I swear some people logic!
There are some great stories here and I think that we’re all in agreement that we could keep a team of lawyers busy for years but I don’t want people to be afraid of me and my SD Rocky at all. I want to use humor as a way to educate people who simply don’t know what they are doing wrong. I truely believe that Wal-Mart is the biggest violator of the ADA Act of 1990 and should train all of their employees in the proper handling of Handicap persons in general. After all, Service Animals to some extent is no different as you using a cane or a wheelchair. It is your rights and the service animals rights that are in question here even though it’s already covered by Federal law.
Trust me,some people get it. Last summer,I was at a casino in Las Vegas for a week on a package deal. Security had checked out my service dog on the first day and informed all security personel by radio that a handicap person with a service dog is on the floor and will be staying for a week.
On my third day,Rocky had been laying at my feet under the Blackjack table at our hotel for some time when he started doing his signal but he wasn’t doing for me,he was doing it for the lady on third base who had been there winning alnight long and forgot to take her insulalin. The Pit boss instead of telling me to shut my dog up instead walked over the lady and asked if she had a medical condition? She said yes that did and looked at her watch and said that she should have taken her medicine hours ago. The Pit boss then told her not to worry and he would have security drive her to her hotel and escort her to her room for safety. She then told him that she was staying at our hotel. He told her that her money is safe and could keep her place on the table. After she left,the Pit boss walked up to Rocky and me and said “Thank you!” About an hour went by and the phone rang at the Pit bosses desk in the center of the tables. I could see that the Pit boss was pointing at me and Rocky while talking on the phone. Oh boy,here comes the bad news and to my surprise,he hands me the phone. The man on the other end identified himself the General Manager of the casino chain and said that he wanted to personally thank me and Rocky but was all the way on the other side of town. I said thank you also and he then informed me that from now on”,Rocky can’t drink but can gamble all he wants!” We both started laughing and then I realize that everyone in the casino is looking at me and then he floors me by saying that expensive penthouse suite with a lanai with a view of all of Las Vegas is “Comp’d.” Plus a “Comp” meal for my family and Rocky and he starts laughing again and hangs up. What a great day that was! I wanted to share this with everyone here and that we need to be understand ourselves. Some people really do get it!
My favorite story is when I drove up and parked my car and a lady was watching me in front of the store. When I got out and she saw my service dog she asked if I was blind. I couldn’t help it when I replyed YES and went on my way.
And isn’t it wonderful when they do “get it!” My old service dog would work for anyone who dropped something near her - she would pick it up and give it back to them! (She was actually very helpful the other day picking up the pieces of the blanket that my new service dog - who is still very much a Lab puppy out of harness - had dragged outside and shredded.
) I haven’t had such a dramatic “thank you” as Todd, but even the small victories help.
We received the same courtesy in Vegas when my husband traveled with his service dog and myself. Once we identified her as his service dog=gladly offering proof is they wanted it, (she is only four pounds), they arranged a scooter (he has ALS and can’t walk much) and she rode in the scooters basket our entire visit and we were not charged for the scooters use the entire week. This was the New York, New York on the strip. We did run in to the people who readily admit they know they shouldn’t pet the SD but still attempt to. One young girl (20’s) asked if she could pet Fancy and when my husband said “No, she is a service dog” she was very upset and showed it before she walked away, with attitude. This isn’t the normal response for us but it did make us look at each other amazed. I just love sharing in this chat room.
My favorite story is when I drove up and parked my car and a lady was watching me in front of the store. When I got out and she saw my service dog she asked if I was blind. I couldn’t help it when I replyed YES and went on my way.
I have a male Bijon, 10 years old that is my service dog, with my 80-95% hearing loss, he tells me of phones, doorbells, and persons calling me.. He also barks relentlessly if I fall to the ground or floor. I am a heart patient, and have multiple spinal disorders, titanium plates, rods, etc, so he is my best friend, provider, and helper on the planet…
Once recently,. while he was in the grocery cart, riding up front with his feet on the front as he always does, playing pilot, the mgr approached me and said he was not allowed in the store.. I pointed to his badge and she said what is your disability? I told her that it was illegal for her to ask that question but I am deaf among other things that are none of her business. She said, ” really, you do not look like a deaf person”, moments later she returned to me , saying that someone told her that they saw my dog as he left his droppings on the floor… I was shocked and retained my anger at her ignorance, demanding that she play back her store cameras at once, to see who the culprit was… She returned as I was leaving the store, with her multiple apoligies that the film revealed that a couple with a baby messed his diaper and as they picket him up it fell out of the diaper, and on to their floor…. The store was Albertsons, and I will not return again…I have people ask me ” how does he know when the doorbell or phone rings” or how to let you know?” I tell them that he uses sign language and communicates very effectively…… I am most thankful for the services you provide and for your reasonable prices that enable disabled persons on fixed incomes to afford them… Thank you….
Jerri - So, did you ask the manager “What does a deaf person look like?” I’m luck that I’ve never had a problem at my Albertson’s, Wal-Mart, or Lowe’s. And usually not any restaurants, except for one in Jackson, Mississippi. And it wasn’t really a problem - it was a Japanese restaurant and the young ladies at the door had a fit (”No dogs, no dogs”), and I explained to them that, “Yes, dog” in my case. The manager came out and backed me up, but we all got a kick out of how many times those same young ladies came around the corner to check on my snoozing girl! She slept through the entire chef show!
My real favorite comments are when I get “I wish my kids were that well behaved.”
Very interesting stories and personal events.
Glad everyone sticks together and helps share their situations.
Gary Baylor & Beliar
My Service Dog, rides on a pillow, on my lap, in my wheelchair…..a woman asked me if I was blind? This surprised me and I answered with an irritated reply, “Blind? Obviously not, who’d drive my chair?” Later on, I was mad at myself for answering her in that tone, because she was serious. Poor lady.
I just got back from Disney World and got several crazy remarks but I guess my favorite was -I was traveling along on my scooter with Merlin (my 10 lb Shitzu ) in my lap when I heard a lady say look she has a seeing eye dog I never saw one that small. For the most part though people were very accepting and fascinated. Merlin alerts me to my panic attacks amoung other things and has given me the courage to go out in public buy myself again after over a year. He is truly my guardian angel. Another rather funny story is- I was in line behind a lady for about ten minutes waiting for a bus to go to a park. When the bus came she turned around and saw Merlin and then immediately started to cough and said she refused to ride with him. The bus driver motioned for me to come around her but of course I refused so she could go. She said she would go if we didn’t sit close to each other. I got on fiirst then sat next to my chair. My husband sat beside me. When they loaded her I moved to the back of the bus. My husband stood up so women waiing could sit down. Her husband asked why he wasn’t sitting. He told him and that he would suggest he not sit there. A drink had been spilled in the floor and the man said did the mutt pee in the seat? My husband said no sir it’s because my wife sat there to begin with, with Merlin. He sat there anyway so I guess he wasn’t too worried.
Anyway we had a great time and Merlin was wonderful. He even had dinner in Cinderella’s castle.
How about,
Is that a real dog????
Right after she just barked at them….
Yes I got that one at east 15 or 20 times at Disney. ” oh my gosh that’s a real dog.” Or “Oh my goodness I thought that was a stuffed animal.”
My goodness, there are so many: The one that really stays in my mind is when people look at me (as a sighted person) and ask me if I am blind.
I try to be kind, but honestly sometimes I am
I have a 13 pound schipperke SD, AJ, that traels with me everywhere. I always get “Is that a seeing eye dog?” My favorite was when a lady asked if AJ was “the lead dog”? I told her yes, that all the huskies are parked at the curb waiting and just kept walking…
I try to educate but I sometimes find myself reacting according to their approach. AJ has congestive heart failure and we are currently in training with a Tervuren. I can’t wait to pull the yep, I’m blind and drive away!!
My SD Gretl is for mobility and balance - and twice now I have had people walk up to me and waive their hand in my face to “test” my level of blindness.
But by far, my favorite- a woman asked me “can I pet your dog?” No, she is a medical service dog. “Oh, but she has fur.” She went on to explain that it was her understanding that ALL service dogs had to be shaved down so they did not have fur. Okaayyyyyyy…right lady!! Every day I am reminded how much MORE intelligent my service dog is than the general population…
I get that comment all the time about how they wished their children would behave that well…some of them are so offended when I tell them consistency is training is much like consistency is raising a child.
We actually got thrown out of the local Baptist Memorial Hospital Emergency Room because she was with me. After we had been there for over 4 hours! You would think a hospital would recognize a SD in vest with all certifications with her.
Our latest fiasco came on our Delta Airlines flights from Memphis to Atlanta and back. We won’t fly Delta again…
I’ve had my service dog for about a year and a half now. During one of my first public outings with Phoebe, (my SD,) a woman came up to me and just awkwardly stared for a while. Finally, she pointed at Phoebe and asked, “… Does it eat?” Confused, I turned to her and said, “Uh… Yes?” She nodded, made a puzzled “hm” sound, and walked away. It was amazing.
Another time, I was walking down Hollywood Blvd. with Phoebe and my boyfriend. We were about to get into an elevator when a little girl spotted us. She shouted, “BEETHOVEN!!! IS THAT BEETHOVEN FROM THE MOVIE BEETHOVEN??? BEEEEEEEETHOOOOOVENNNNN!!!” Now, Pheebs is a St. Bernard, so this is something we encounter about eighty times a day. But on this particular occasion, what seemed like every child in southern California suddenly appeared out of nowhere and they ALL started running after us, shouting, “Beethoven! BEETHOVEN! IT’S BEETHOVEN, MOM!” About ten or fifteen kids (and their parents) surrounded us and asked for pictures with Phoebe, er, with “Beethoven.” The whole thing took about ten minutes. At least we can claim to be more popular than Spiderman and the other blvd. characters
It never ends. I took AJ, my SD, with me to visit my aunt in rehab. Not our first visit to see her. We got stopped at the desk and told we could not enter with a pet. (AJ is in full gear) I informed her it was a service animal, not a pet. She handed me their policies and procedures for a per. I again told her she is not a pet. I gave her AJ’s identification, a card with ADA requirements AND all of AJ’s medical information. Still, you cannot bring in a pet. At that point I thanked her and went to see my aunt with her screaming at me the whole time that I could not bring in a pet! I expectecd security to come and get us at any point but they did not. I found my aunt and then all the other residents wanted to see her and pet her. My aunt got mad because I did not get to spend as much time with her as she wanted because everyone came to see the dog. Does it ever get any better?
After reading all these funny stories I’ve decided I’ll put mine in here.
This year at a church service, I went out to the front for an altar call. I tied my guide dog to a chair and went up to the front of the church where the stage is. I had my worshipping time with God but was distracted by Troy’s squirming and what I thought was playing around!
After the service was over I found out that some people had decided to help themselves and took over my responsibilities of my guide dog without asking for my permission! Now, I’m totally blind, so my guide dog is even more important to me as a service dog because of the fact I’ve got absolutely no vision at all. Anyway, I’m told he was taken to the toilet and a few other things because apparently he’d spend a long time there that day, longer than he’s used to! Ah, hell-oooowww! Grrrrrr sorry for the angr there but excuse me everyone? The dog is trained for this! And no, it wouldn’t have been abusive to ask me first if the dog was jumping and rolling around for that reason! I think it was more abusive what they did, plus the endless excuses, the worst one was that they didn’t want to interupt my time with God. Ok, well it’s ok for others to be interupted when they’re worshipping Jesus and yet I’m not allowed to be interupted to help my own dog! Now tell me how lame that excuse was. I’m still angry at a particular person, and upset that two or three persons were allowed to mistreat me like that by not interrupting me to have me take responsibility of my own service dog. There would be a loud outcry if I had ever tried distracting church people when they’re performing duties!
Another horrible thing is that I get told in a grumpy tone on very rare occasions that “he is a dog!” Well, does this person (same one I discussed above” actually care that this “just a dog” is more than “just a dog” in harness? I think this person is “just a person” but it’s not ok to distract him when he’s doing church work. I’ve got a sign on the guide dog’s harness now so if this particular person doesn’t take no for an answer, only while the harness in on, then I’m calling Guide Dogs Sa NT and maybe the police the next time. This person has had two years to change his ways around my guide dog. The funny thing in this quite sad and very depressing story is the fact that some people just never learn lol! They hear of my guide dog being trained well and so forth, yet they instinctively treat him as an average, somewhat untrained pet! Gosh some people are silly.
Dear Michelle;
Thank you for your openess, it is very refreshing. I know how frightened you must have been when your dog was gone.
This just renforces one of my behaviors. I never ever allow my dogs to be disconnected from me when I am out. The only exception is on a rare occasion when my wife is with me I let them stay with her if I have no ther choice. Like a couple of months ago I had to go in for some surgery. People are very strange and you never can tell what they will do, so to protect yourself and your dog never let him out of your control. If someone doesn’t like this just mention to them that your dog is worth somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 and you are just protecting them from having to take anykind of risk with such a valuable animal.
Keep up that praying
John
I have a mobility assist dog - When I wear sunglasses people ask ‘Is that a blind dog?’ I tell them ‘No. She can see just fine’
Hello everyone,
I just completed my move to Hawaii last week and decided to take my family to Waikiki Beach for the first time since we’d been here. The kids wanted to go swimming and play in the sand.
So I have Rocky with me and nice people kept coming up and wanted to take a picture with Rocky. Most of them were Japanese tourists. We were in front of the Royal Hawaiian and then an American couple walked up to me and Rocky. They asked if Rocky is a lifeguard for this beach. I laughed and said no,that he’s a service dog for me and me only. A half hour later, another couple asked the same thing and again I laughed.
This time though, it made me think, a service dog could very well be trained to rescue distressed swimmers. I would love to see a pilot program like here at Waikiki Beach for Service Dog Lifeguards. They have dogs that surf here,why not?
I just took a trip with my new PSD. She is a beautiful Belgian Tervuren and has a happy personality. Her training is almost complete but I wanted to expose her to many different scenarios. Since this was a drive from Mississippi to Michigan and back, I knew we would have ample opportunities. We stopped at a truck stop to refuel, walk the dog, etc. A man actually approached me with her laying calmly at my feet to tell me how poorly she was trained and how many mistakes I had made with her. And he determined this all in 5 seconds of watching. She never got up from her stay, she just looked at him. My 8 year old nephew was with me and before I could move Joseph told him, “You must be stupid because we go to class and have training.” Out of the mouths of babes…
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