Service Dog Access Issues

Yesterday was a very frustrating day when it comes to public access for service dogs here in Utah.  It is frustrating to me because I know how much the partnership between service dog & handler creates independance and freedom that might not be possible without that relationship and the dog's task oriented training.  Obviously, in order to shape these amazing dogs, we must train them to appropriately handle different public settings.  Fortunately, for guide dog puppy raisers in Ut, we have state laws that provide us with the same access to public places the same as for a fully working service dog.  Unfortunately, some people don't get this!

First off, the secretary to the assistant to the superintendent of Wasatch County School District seems to be refusing to dialogue with us again about guide dog puppies-in-training attending public school with our puppy raisers,  While it is fully within our legal right, we desire to create a partnership with the school, and would like to address and ease any concerns about the dogs being in the classroom.  This woman does not return my phone calls, avoids meetings, and really is refusing to be educated on what a service dog is (she called them a "basically a pet" at last meeting).  With the evidence of all the puppies that do attend school in her hand, it is rediculous that she won't even entertain the idea that this is legit.  My CFR has a plan that I believe will at the least get her attention, if not gain the dogs "permission" to attend school.

My second incidence of the day happened at the Lindon Artic Circle, when my son who was handling Keiko, was asked to "stand to the side" of the counter before we ordered!  What?!!!!  There were a handful of children, standing with their parents, who quite naturally, were excited about "a dog in the restaurant".  The woman who said this appeared to be the manager, and even though she understood that Keiko was a service dog, and had the right to be there, she was giving him (and therefore my son) the second-hand treatment.  I think I would have been less upset were she ignorant to the service dog law, in general.  We ended up ordering food, with Keiko at my side at the counter, and then "ate in", in spite of my stomach churning.  My children were very upset.  How can you become manager of any place without understanding this law? 

I have been raising guide dog puppies for about 7 years.  I can recount only 3 incidences, in that time, of irrational people "in charge".  2 in 1 day just frosts my cupcake!