If this happened to you

[CourierDriver]

It could have been your spouse, grandmother, sister, dad, uncle,that this might have happened to,,u decide what you would have done......try to be calm.

http://www.iowanewsday.com/national/3515...g-in-store.html

 

[heynow]

So what IS the dog used for?

 

[surfstar]

"trust, but verify"

I've heard stories of all these "anxiety dogs" etc that are allowed on airplanes today - so much so, that some terminals have fake grass for their bathrooms. Sometimes people should be questioned. How many park in a handicap spot and walk just fine? Do you always believe them or think maybe they're just lazy.

Seems a bit overblown. If he wasn't a veteran, it wouldn't seem as bad, right? I think that's what strikes a chord with us.

 

[TrevorS]

Based on this account, this employee has a seriously bad attitude.

Sorry to say but I've had several similar experiences in terms of individuals in stores choosing to be rude in front of other customers.

I typically don't react on the spot but take it up firmly with store, regional or head office management afterwards.

If I don't get the impression that it has been taken seriously, I will do a chargeback on the cc and maybe not use that company again.

But I don't let it eat me up. People are people and these incidents say more about their insecurities and issues than me.

 

[AandPDan]

Clearly the employee was out of line and ignorant. There is no way I would try to "educate" the employee or answer any of their questions.

I would calmly ask to speak to the manager.

If that didn't happen I'd leave. It's only Starbucks. Yes, they would hear about it but I'm not having a confrontation in a public environment.

With all respect to Mr. Baer, sometimes the best thing to do is walk away from an ugly situation. Make your case later. There was no need for him to get worked up enough to start shaking.

 

[CourierDriver]

You pay someone minimum wage and you get a nitwit with power...

 

[Voltmaster]

Service dogs are both well behaved and mostly picked by dog's natural good moods.

I wouldnt be worried about a golden retriever EVER. They are so friendly,
They were just doing their job. Their boss told em no animal or be fired, its understandble, eventhough it lacks common sense.

 

[Rand]

I've seen a few at work.. stress dogs etc.

one for seizures.

Have seen plenty of 20's with grandma's handicapped placard too.

 

[kmcavin]

Under the ADA, business owners can only ask two questions when someone with an animal walks in: “Is this a service animal?” “What is it trained to do?” Any inquiry beyond those two questions and businesses and the morons who work for them should know they open themselves up to litigation.

Sure there are fakes out there and as long as they answer the questions correctly there isn't much the business can do.

Personally, I would have slowly lifted my pant leg and when the idiot saw the prosthetic I'd smile and tell him I broke it off in the [censored] of the last person who told me the service dog wasn't allowed.

 

[ddrumman2004]

I would avoid Starbucks and go find a Mickey Ds or go to the local Hardees and drink coffee.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Honestly...I am at the point where I assume that 50% or more of "service" dogs and at least that many handicapped parking tags are bogus. I have seen places openly SELLING "service dog" vests online...the only "proof" they want is your credit card.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

The guy had no business bringing his dog into the Starbucks store. His disability isn't one that requires the use of a trained service dog; he can get around on his prosthetic limb just fine, and there are thousands of similar amputees that don't require a service dog. This guy simply wanted to create a scene, and it gave him the publicity that he craved.

I have to agree with the question that was asked; "Why can't you do that yourself?"

 

[MinamiKotaro]

If it really is a trained and licensed service dog, and the owner can prove it, it should be allowed in the store if Starbucks policy allows such. If the owner cannot prove his pet is, in fact, a service dog, he should have graciously left the premises and remembered to carry some proof next time.

If this had happened to me, I'd have gone elsewhere to get some coffee.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
The guy had no business bringing his dog into the Starbucks store. His disability isn't one that requires the use of a trained service dog; he can get around on his prosthetic limb just fine, and there are thousands of similar amputees that don't require a service dog. This guy simply wanted to create a scene, and it gave him the publicity that he craved.

I have to agree with the question that was asked; "Why can't you do that yourself?"





I tend to agree with this. After all the guy claimed to have restrained himself from assaulting the store employee. If he was well/able enough to do that, and able enough to walk to the store under his own power, then I doubt the need for the service dog.

Still, his reasoning was never brought to light, so it makes me wonder some...

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
The guy had no business bringing his dog into the Starbucks store. His disability isn't one that requires the use of a trained service dog; he can get around on his prosthetic limb just fine, and there are thousands of similar amputees that don't require a service dog. This guy simply wanted to create a scene, and it gave him the publicity that he craved.

I have to agree with the question that was asked; "Why can't you do that yourself?"





I tend to agree with this. After all the guy claimed to have restrained himself from assaulting the store employee. If he was well/able enough to do that, and able enough to walk to the store under his own power, then I doubt the need for the service dog.

Still, his reasoning was never brought to light, so it makes me wonder some...



He is also a military vet, even if the limb wasn't lost to combat, he still could have PTSD from a past experience.
The dog could have been there with him prior to the leg loss.
There are plenty of orgs and associations hooking vets up with dogs, I had a DS that had one.
Even if he's fine, the dog is a companion, and a service dog,
A lot of people won't understand veterans when we show our feelings, dogs on the other hand will always be there to listen, not judge, and love you.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: heynow
So what IS the dog used for?


I know of a number of folks who get their dogs labeled as service animals just so that they can easily transport them on airplanes.

 

[andrewg]

This story is rather blown out of proportion and rife with emotional triggers intended to gat the reader riled up.
Starbucks apologized. The employee was rash.
The truth is that plenty of people abuse the system when it comes to anything related disabled or handicapped considerations. It happens all the time. The abusers of these considerations know very well that most people are afraid to ask for proof or even question anybody that is allowed these priveledges.
No real harm done here.