All you have to do is hobble together some vague justification and send away for a mail order certificate. It’s completely unregulated, so any a$$hole can do it.

I am tired of her being treated as a second class citizen. This was the third McDonald’s that challenged her dog but the first to actually put us out of the restaurant and refuse service. I did not call the police because that act would have made dd’s anxiety and fear worse than they already were. I did, however, contact the Fairfax County Police later that day. The FCPD logged the incident and made a record of it. They told me if that ever happened again to call them.

On the morning of 3-16-10, DD and I were on our way to her weekly occupational therapy appointment. We managed to get everything ready earlier than usual. So I decided to go to McDonald’s on our way to her appointment.

We went to the drive thru window. I gave the McDonald’s employee the exact change and she shut the window. She didn’t come back for what seemed too long a time so I thought maybe I needed to drive to another window. I drove around the corner but there was not another window.

I thought about whether to just leave or go inside but decided to go inside to pick up my order.

We waited in line less than a minute before a couple of the employees behind the counter said (rudely and loudly), “You can’t have that dog in here.” I told them I could as he was a service dog.

Next the Manager yelled at me to get the dog out. I told her he was a service dog 2 more times. To which she replied she didn’t care ” what kind of dog it was” and that I would have to get it out of there with him.

I told them at least 3 times (maybe 4) that my daughter’s dog was a service dog. I was completely ignored by all employees in my attempt to explain to them they were violating both federal and state laws. I also said I may call the police. I decided against that because I knew DD was already upset.

I then the manager, “Are you refusing service to my disabled child and me”? She continued to ignore me so I repeated the question. She continued to ignore me and then told me again to leave. I asked her to write her name down. She ignored me but I persisted in asking for her name. After asking at least 3 times she did finally write her name on a receipt.

I couldn’t read it so I asked her name again but she continued to ignore me. She rudely replied that she already wrote it on the receipt. I told her I could not read it. Finally she wrote her name more legibly on another receipt. She gave me a $5 bill with the receipt. I asked if she was paying me to leave. This was a humiliating experience.

My daughter’s service dog is always dressed (vested) and has service dog tags. I also carry a certification identity card for him. He has more than 500 hours of specialized training and he is specifically task trained to mitigate DD’s disability. The have been a team for more than 3 years. DD’s story story just recently (December 2009) came out in a book called “New Lives: Stories of Rescued Dogs, Helping, Healing and Giving Hope” by Joanne Wannan.

Two years ago I requested help from our state delegate in the capitol to update and change the service dog laws. My family (including my DD’s dog) had a photo taken with the Govenor at the bill signing in April 2008.

I usually try to teach and educate when we are challenged but there was no teaching or educating any of this McDonald’s employees. I am very tired of the discrimination my disabled daughter faces daily but this from McDonald’s is inexcusable. This kind of blatant disregard for the ADA and rights of those who are disabled needs to stop.

I want this injustice to be made right. I started a Face Book Cause to Boycott McDonald’s here and link above:

It is just not fair to have this happen in this day and age and after almost 20 years after the ADA went into effect in 1990.

Cathy

Peace, plenty, prosperity – my wish for the United States of America.