Service Dogs Unite (come 1 come all)

Service Dogs Unite



I have discovered that people of Albany are blind to service dogs, No matter how big or small they are, they just can’t seem to see the bright orange vest or the medical alert symbol.

The Law does not require us to show an I.D Badge or even make the service dogs wear a vest or the badge; we do that for the public so they will take notice to our working dogs.
I have an issue with a few merchants here in Albany, Ga. that really needs to be educated

For example, I was shopping with a family member along with my service dog at Sam’s club and I was told at the door that I was not allowed to bring in my pet into the store OK I know she is small but she has on a bright orange vest that says Service Dog on it and it’s very visible. I proceeded to tell her that she isn’t a pet she is my service dog. After telling her that we were able to gain entry to Sam’s Club, while shopping, I guess about 30 minuets worth, no one stopped us or asked us any questions, until leaving, we were rudely told that we were not suppose to have pets in the store, even though we explained yet again that she is a working dog and not a pet.(and the vest was yet again very visible and noticeable, I mean it’s bright orange, who can miss it?) We were still greeted with an ugly and rude attitude of the person at the exit door, as if my service dog had NOT been cleared at the front door why would you wait until I’ve done my shopping, and I’m leaving the store.

By Law I do not have to disclose my disability to anyone, but when I am asked, I explain what I have and what my service dog does for me, ONLY to educate the people who ask, because if we do not ask we do not learn, and by law my medical alert service dog does not at any time have to have an I.D Badge or vest on however we do so to help others learn who is and what she does for me.

I make sure at all times I have her vest on, and her I.D Badge with us and even have extra cards to hand out so, the store manager can keep them on file so we do not have to keep going through all this every time I come to the store, you would think it would or could even be that easy, however we go through the questions every time we walk through the door. If places like Wal*Mart, Target, and even Sam’s club would educate themselves and also the people who work for them we wouldn’t have to go through this every time we just want to go out shopping.

Don’t discriminate against a service dog because of his or her size, or even the service dog handler, the service dog does his or her job no matter the size. I am blessed at this time that I do not need a wheel chair, or a bigger service dog to pull that chair. Just because she is small, everyone thinks she is a puppy, or a pet, when in fact she is a working dog, when she is working she has on her collar, vest and I.D Badge at all times, and knows the difference of being on duty and being off duty, however those of us with disabilities that have service dogs, know that one is always on duty, and so does the S.D (service Dog). Our disability or the need of a S.D should NEVER be rudely questioned.

The next time you see a SD with a bright orange vest coming your way perhaps you might try saying something along the lines of, Ma’am or Sir? I noticed your animal has on a vest is he/she your service dog?
Even though it sounds silly it’s a lot better than “YOU CAN”T BRING IN YOUR DOG” its so much easer to greet us with a smile and a low tone voice and ask the question, and not assume that he or she is just a pet, Come on, look at the dog, notice the BRIGHT ORANGE VEST? We couldn’t make it any clearer for you other than wearing a big blinking neon sign saying Service Dog coming.
When a service dog of any kind is around they are always on duty and should never be petted with out you asking the handler. The Number one thing on a service dogs mind is serving and protecting its handler. When someone wants to pet us we tell them she is working and should not be petted or disturbed, however there are times I let small children pet her because they do not understand what a working dog is. Most children are with their patients and they have told their Children not to pet, the dog because he/she is working and we shouldn’t bother them, well kudos to you! You have taught your child well.

We just want to be able to live our life just as you would, as normal as possible, we just have to have the aid of a service dog along with us to do so. They are trained in helping us, in many ways.
So just a kind note to the merchants in Albany, (and surrounding areas) Please start education yourselves and your employees, its really not that hard and it don’t take that long, it makes for a happier shopper and their service dogs.

Thank you very much.
Melinda Husted and Padmé the Medical Alert Service Dog

Well

Im all grown now. the website is no longer able to be seen we had to start a new one will post more later
I help my humommy know when its time to test her sugars she is what they call a diabitic my chi mom and dad dont help her. so because she bottle feed me i got to know her really good her smells and her taste... she sometimes taste to salty so i know her sugar is up i will bite at her just while sitting in her lap... and that will make her ask me "whats wrong padmé" and ill bark then i wont leave her fingers alone she will go test.. sometimes its really high sometimes its really low.
but where we live people dont like service dogs i would like to one day be what they call a medical allert dog...

I am about to be come a big sister again, but with this litter i will get to see them be born my daddy had a litter with anoter dog and i didnt get to see them... i get to play with them some but this litter will be mine... all mine to play with from the time my chimom has them, until they go to their forever homes.

well ill bark more later......

WOW what a day

There is something so cool and thats being born, I came into this world on what these humans call turkey day so i guess im a butterball lol
I am only a few days old so i really cant see or hear what they are typing for me but I can be seen at www.freewebs.com/sparklepeanutlucky.babies.htm
if ya wanna check me out more
I am born to Peanut and Sebastian thanks for looking at me