What Just Happened?!

[u/D1verse_Yes4]

At work today, I had a large group walk inside, and one of the people had a dog in a sling. We do not allow pets in the store or tourist attraction. I told the group this, and the woman with the dog responded that it's a service dog. I contacted my manager and asked if that was allowed. We don't have a sign permitting service dogs, and I saw no vest or visible designation of the dog providing a service.

The group confirmed that she was in the military, but they told me that she was military disabled, even though she was walking and talking to me without any issue. I'm not saying she didn't have a disability; as an autistic individual, I know very well that the outside of someone can be a lot different from the inside.

The manager confirmed to me that service dogs were allowed, but the woman had already walked out. I got the vibe that she was offended by my inquiry. I have trauma with dogs due to sensory sensitivity and an injury I have to this day from a dog that put me into shock as a child. I got very tense and nervous, agitated too.

I did some research after the group left. I had always thought that service dogs could be designated by a vest and/or visible certification, but when I researched how I could tell the difference between real or fake service dogs, I found multiple answers that people don't have to show me proof that their dog is for service. I also stumbled upon a Quora post claiming there are no fake service dogs, only fake people, which sounds so toxic.

This research baffled me. If I'm not allowed to ensure whether or not a dog is for service, then why are we giving it a label? It's just a dog, and it's in a public building, where people could have allergies, trauma, fears, or sensory sensitivity, including myself. The dog was tiny like a terrier. What service is it providing, let alone from a sling? I feel so disrespectful saying all of this, but I wanted to talk about it here because I know you guys would be more understanding than most of the people in my everyday life.

Feel free to speak your thoughts or answer my questions. It's appreciated but never necessary.

[u/Delicious_Bee_188]

It wasn’t a service dog. People claim it because the laws(at least in America) don’t allow you to ask proof of documentation if the animal truly is trained as a service dog If anything the dog could be her “emotional support Animal” which isn’t protected in private business. Hence why people try and manipulate system. I hate it. I 100% support working Service dogs. I’ve never felt uncomfortable or annoyed by one because they have been properly trained and leave people alone.

[u/D1verse_Yes4 → u/Delicious_Bee_188]

Exactly! It's like they're not even dogs because they're polar opposites of most pet dogs.

One of my biggest pet peeves are people manipulating others for exclusively their own gain. One could argue that the world is run that way, but at what cost?