Category Archives: Experience

ADA Rights, Anxiety, Experience, Panic Attack, PTSD

Great story of empowerment

A great story of empowerment by our client Brian and his SD Faith. He is leaning forwarding, ensuring access rights of all handlers and their beloved Service Dogs.

“Hi Laurie, I had already been let into the Copper Top restaurant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when one of the security/doormen came up to me and my dog from the back and said “You and your dog will have to leave. ” He said something to the effect of “You don’t even need that dog.” I’ve been in this place several times with absolutely no problems with my SD Faith – even the doorman before recognized me and Faith and had absolutely no problems. I had the business card from the DOJ that had all of the laws about Service Dogs, and I asked him to please read them. He said he wasn’t reading anything, and that we needed to get out and get out now.

I asked “let’s not take this to that point that I have to call the police.” He seemed very hostile from the start, and, of course this made him even more hostile. He also made a comment that I did not need a Service Dog because I was in there the night before without one. That was because Faith had surgery several days before and was not up to going out, of course. As you and I know my medical condition and my Service Dog’s medical condition is none of his business.

Sadly enough, I did call the police and they took the restaurant’s side! Two officers from the Tuscaloosa City Police Department came and said that any private business could kick anybody out for any condition whatsoever. They called the next officer in charge, and he had the same attitude! He asked what he could do to make me happy and asked if he would please just read the laws!

All of this was this past Friday night approximately 8:30 PM (Nov 28th). On Monday, I called Lieutenant M. at the Tuscaloosa Police Department – he also said any private business can kick anyone out it anytime regardless of having a Service Dog or any type of disability!

My Service Dog, Faith has been a complete Savior to me since I’ve gotten her! She’s done nothing but help me along the way; I couldn’t get along without her. I’ve been completely depressed and had anxiety attacks ever since this is happened!!! I feel that she and I are going to be a target anywhere we go!! I’m afraid to take her anywhere because I feel I am going to be run out of every little business that I go into!!

I thought I was calling the police department for help, but yet they’re the ones who helped run me off and took the side of the other people who were kicking me out -and gave me false hope for me and anyone who is disabled or has a Service Dog! Not just with the doorman, Copper Top, Tuscaloosa, but everywhere.

I did talk to the Department of Justice on Monday, and the lady I spoke with did confirm that the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Coppertop and Mr. Jones were in complete violation of the laws and would be sending me a packet in the mail ASAP.

UPDATE: 8 December 2014 – Brian met with the owner of Copper Top

The meeting went extremely well. The owner of Copper Top was great! It was entirely 1 employee trying to “Flex his muscle”! The owner was wanting details and was very apologetic and invited me and Faith back! He guaranteed he’d take care of the employee. Cherry (a Service Dog Express Trainer) was such great help on the phone the other day!! I had built up so much anxiety and depression since the incident, and she made me feel much better!!!! She provided me with tons of info! Thanks to all of you!! I am still going to schedule a meeting with the chief of police to try to get local laws in line with the ADA or to get them to realize their street level officers are not up to date on laws. Lastly, the owner mentioned us working together to find a charity to help fund together !!!! Who would’va thought?

Brian

Equipment, Experience, Houston, Texas

Roxy in Flight

Wonderful news from Ronnie, who is training with Kendra in Houston, and his SDIT, Roxy!

Hi Kendra!

So we just returned from our vacation on Sunday. We flew out of Houston into Detroit, Michigan. Roxy did outstanding!! Right off the bat in the security checkpoint she acted like a seasoned traveler. Once on the plane, she curled up and fell asleep. She popped up a few times on descent, but we gave her some treats to help with her big old ears LOL. She was a pro at the airport, keeping watch and covering behind me while waiting at the baggage claim. It didn’t snow very much, but she saw it and sniffed around outside – I don’t think she was a fan All in all, Roxy did great and I think gave Service Dogs a good showing! I wanted to get her a pair of wings to put on her vest but totally forgot – I guess I’ll have to remember next time!

Ronnie

Equipment, Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Laurie’s Reaction to her Birthday Gift

Laurie’s Reaction

From Laurie:  Look what my dear, dear husband got me for my birthday. I can honestly say that it was the most meaningful gift he has ever gotten me – I literally couldn’t stop crying. See, Joey is a die-hard Aggie. There is Aggie paraphernalia all over our house. MY undergraduate Alma Mater, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has very little paraphernalia unless you are shopping for items for the robot you just built or the computer you just reprogrammed to launch nuclear weapons. (very techy school).

ANYWAY, apparently, two months ago, he started this process with Mary’s Stitchery and Crafts, run by dear Mary Chabrian (see her FB page!) and loved by all Wounded Warriors who send her their uniforms to make the most awesome Service Dog vests! Joey went to the Carnegie Mellon site and he and Mary ordered a men’s flannel robe for fabric with my school’s colors, and they found a perfect patch with CMU’s name on it, added the Service Dog Express graduate patch, and added the pouch for Bonnie’s ID. It fits PERFECTLY!!! Mary is an absolutely AMAZING craftswoman, and my husband couldn’t have given me a more meaningful gift. Now I have to be nice to him for a whole year…

I am so, so blessed.  (Ironically, I had just rolled out of bed and put on an Aggie hat to hide my non-made-up face)

Equipment, Experience, PTSD, Virginia

Baron’s First Flight

From our trainer, Catherine, in Virginia, about her own Service Dog, Baron!

“I don’t know why I’m always so shocked by how amazing Baron is, but he never ceases to amaze me. His first flight ever he went through security perfectly and handled the crowds like a total pro. Our first plane was tiny and awful!

We sat in the back (there were a lot of disabled people who needed bulkhead seating) and he squeezed himself under one tiny seat where you would normally put your bag. The flight was so turbulent even I was feeling sick, but Baron just stayed calm and rested through the whole thing!!! Our next plane was WAY better, we got bulkhead seating and all the flight attendants asked to pet him and he got majorly loved on LOL. All in all he handled it like a seasoned SD and even did an alert during our second flight. I always forget he’s only 8 months old!! He acts like such an adult the majority of the time!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Catt & Baron”

Anxiety, Austin, Experience, Panic Attack, PTSD, Texas

Presentation by Lucia and Lily

What a joyful day in Service Dog world! Dear Lucia, in Austin, with her SD Lily, was asked to teach a class on Service Dogs at the local college! This is what she wrote! Can you imagine – someone who was paralyzed by PTSD and anxiety going up in front of a classroom full of people to educate them about Service Dogs! SO PROUD OF YOU LUCIA AND LILY!

” Hi Laurie! The class went very well! You should have seen the critical thinkers in the class that were so interested in Service Dog issues. Since they are all future educators, we even got into how to address Service Dog concerns in the classroom after the basics were covered (kids/students that are afraid or don’t understand why they can’t pet, how to address parents and classmates without compromising privacy, even issues regarding conflicting interpretations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA Titles II and III regarding Service Dogs). I think they got a pretty good introduction to what it’s like to have a Service Dog on a daily basis, too–including the harassment, questions, weird comments, weird and inappropriate behaviors, etc. (and of course good things, too). We talked about invisible disabilities, too. Lots of things!”

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. INFORMING OTHERS ABOUT SOMETHING YOU EXPERIENCE YOURSELF IS SO POWERFUL!

ADA Rights, Experience, Military, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Vietnam Veteran, Jacky

Another wonderful update from Vietnam Veteran, Jacky, who did our long-distance training program from New Hampshire solidly for over one year, sending videos of every training session, every Public Access command, and more! This is what she wrote!!! Of course, the manager had no right to ask for Seeley’s papers, but the Service Dog gave the papers to the manager himself!!

“Dear Laurie:
I thought I would send an update on the latest news. We are traveling south to Patrick AFB, FL in our RV. Today, we made it to Meriden, CT and stayed at the Comfort Inn right off Interstate 91S. Seeley had to show all his Service Dog papers to the manager. I have him trained to give his pouch to another person, which he did! I don’t think the manager expected such a well behaved dog!

I am so proud of Seeley. What a big difference from last year’s trip south.

My best to you.

Jacky and Seeley, a Service Dog Express graduate!!!!

Experience, Texas

Travis and his Service Dog Charlie

A WONDERFUL, AMAZING UPDATE FROM DANA, GUARDIAN OF HER GRANDSON, TRAVIS. TRAVIS SUFFERED FROM EXTREME PTSD, AND HIS LIFE WAS AT A HALT IN HIS LAST YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. HE STARTED TRAINING WITH ROBERT CLARK AND THE AMAZING SD CHARLIE, AND I FINISHED UP THE TRAINING. WE RECEIVED THIS INSPIRING MESSAGE FROM DANA – LOOK AT WHAT TRAVIS HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE HELP OF DEAR CHARLIE!!!

“Hi Laurie,
I Just want to let you know how Travis and his Service Dog, Charlie are doing. Travis and Charlie are going to college and are doing great! Weatherford Community College has been great with accepting both of them! We went through the Special Services and Disability Counselor. She told Travis that she was so excited to have them both there. Charlie is the first Service Dog to attend their college! She had us meet all the instructors before school started so Travis and Charlie would feel more comfortable about the first day of classes. Travis sets his alarm for classes, keeps up with schedules, and work deadlines all by himself. This is a huge accomplishment for him. Thank you so much for the great service you did for our country and are still doing! You are so wonderful and have made our lives so much better!! We love you and you will always have a special place in our hearts! Dana”

AND YOU ALL WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN ALL OUR HEARTS, DANA, TRAVIS, AND CHARLIE!! WE ARE SO, SO PROUD OF YOU TRAVIS!!!

Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, TBI, Texas

Carol and Kensi

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Carol, who suffers from PTSD, and her SDIT, Kensi:

“This session occurred at the Forum in Universal City/ Selma. We walked around Petsmart for a while practicing our heeling maneuvers. We worked on our “sits” and “downs” in a public, busy setting, and then we grabbed some coffee at Red Robin, and Kensi did wonderfully! She wasn’t even noticeable under the table at Red Robin, and she rarely pulls on the leash when she sees distractions while we are out and about. We will do some fine tuning and adjustments with heeling around distractions. In addition, we have recently began to work with Kensi off leash!”

Air Force, Experience, Military, San Antonio, Texas

Letty is a Fighter – Breast Cancer Will Lose

Very shocking news about one of our dear, dear Service Dog Express trainers, and also my dear, wonderful friend, Letty Pugh. I know a lot of you had the extreme honor of training your Service Dogs with her. She has given me permission to post this. I don’t say “sad” news, because Letty’s spirit is as strong and optimistic as anyone I know. From our dear Letty:

“Ok, friends and family. Here’s the scoop….I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. I’m putting it out on FB for two reasons. 1) I’m only 43 years old. It does happen to women our age and there is never a good reason to NOT have your mammogram done. In order to be there for the ones you love, make a little time to get your boobs hugged! ! 2) I need your prayers. I’ve chosen to have a total mastectomy on my left breast on Tuesday, 25NOV. After the surgery, I’ll be staged and will start treatment (treatment will be determined as a result of the tumor pathology).

If any of you have any questions, please, ask. I’m not afraid nor am I freaking out. The kids, Marlon and my parents are all extremely strong. Other then that…….I LOVE YOU!”

I have spoken with Letty, and she it truly at peace with this. As usual, she takes things in stride, believes all things happen for a reason, and chooses to focus on the positives in her life. Of course, as an integral part of our Service Dog Express family for so long, my feelings about her are impossible to put into words – but I am gathering all the love and prayer I have in my heart and sending it to her and her beautiful family – her husband, Marlon, her children, and her doggies. Her Service Dog, Bentley, who is deaf, will be at her side as she recovers from her surgery at SAMMC. Please, all whose lives she has touched, let her know how much you care.

Show Letty your support:  Letty on Facebook