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When I was training my service dog for Public Access we had a hard time on the leash in crowded grocery stores. My disability precludes me carrying him, he weighs 20 lbs. Despite being in a heel or sit position maximum 18 inches from me, several times other customers complained that they almost tripped over him. He is solidly built with short legs, so is close to the floor and people seemed not to notice. He was stepped on just once before I figured out an alternative. I trained him to hop up on anything with wheels. I place a plastic floor mat on the bottom level of a shopping cart, he hops on, and has never gotten off that perch until I give the command. It’s very unusual for anyone to notice him at all. I have been asked to leave a few times when businesses say the ADA allows stores to refuse to let a service dog ride in a cart. I believed that because the dog does not ride “in” the cart and the ADA use of the words, “generally and Typically” left room for this method. But I called the DOJ to see what they said about it. Apparently no one else has ever brought this up. So now I check with the store before using this method, and if I’m refused I either ask for them to take my list, gather the groceries, and take my credit card while I remain in the car with my service dog, or if it’s not crowded in the store I’ll bring my service dog on a leash. I still think my method complies with the spirit of the law.
I think it totally against health and food sanitation when dogs (service or otherwise) ride “IN” grocery carts! It’s discusting. Safeway allows this!!!!
Whats worse a baby with a crappy diaper or a small service dog in the shopping cart
I agree, babies/small children are more disgusting than my small dog. Kids are puking, pooping, coughing, smearing snot all over the cart. I always wipe the seat area and handle before placing my service dog in the cart. When leaving I always wipe it down after I’m finished. My dog is 7lbs and his service is for my epilepsy, he constantly watches my eyes. He’s very dialed in to me. I was recently yelled at while having my dog in a cart at Redners. The simple solution is to provide a cart liner or a specified cart for service dogs. These stores have their cart pressure washed regularly. People are just ridiculous. If I didn’t need my service dog I certainly wouldn’t take him into the store. Btw, the cart I used was so disgustingly filthy I didn’t even want to put my dog in it that’s why I clean his area first. I also had a small bed in it when using the cart as well. My dog also is hypoallergenic therefore no shedding or dander. I try to be so respectful but you just can’t seem to please some people.
Thanks Tim for your post!!
From my experience, those that have their dog in a cart where babies also sit, is more hygienic. I am a pet lover but it seems that I’m not the only one who doesn’t mind-in fact enjoys seeing a clean well-behaved dog while shopping. It seems to bring out the best in people. Granted, it depends on the owner. Is it an aggressive trained fighting dog with an idiot owner or just a family member who has a pleasant disposition and doesn’t act aggressive.
You suggest that service dog users get an ID CARD and VEST which is direct violation of ADA LAW
Do service animals have to wear a vest or patch or special harness identifying them as service animals?
A. No. The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/#:~:text=a%20service%20animal%3F-,A.,dog%20been%20trained%20to%20perform%3F
Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?
A. No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.
There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.
My city requires me to register my dog as a service animal. Is this legal under the ADA?
A. No. Mandatory registration of service animals is not permissible under the ADA. However, as stated above, service animals are subject to the same licensing and vaccination rules that are applied to all dogs.
Are stores required to allow service animals to be placed in a shopping cart?
A. Generally, the dog must stay on the floor, or the person must carry the dog. For example, if a person with diabetes has a glucose alert dog, he may carry the dog in a chest pack so it can be close to his face to allow the dog to smell his breath to alert him of a change in glucose levels.
While im aware you will delete my post because it interferes with your sales and you don’t want your customers knowing they don’t have to have any of your products you sell. I hope this stays up long enough to educate and save service dog users money.
You are absolutely correct that service dog owners don’t need ID cards or vests! We actually frequently educate the public about this and mention it repeatedly all over our website – service dog owners do not need to show ID cards, certificates or even vests or tags to be accommodated for a service dog. These items are only meant to be helpful accessories for service dog owners who want them.
I find it hilarious, that food, which is wrapped, boxed, or otherwise packaged, could be contaminated by anything outside of itself… no one puts raw meat or vegetables in a shopping cart, without packaging them… So no, I don’t see the sense in the rule, specifically if there is a cart liner, preventing the dog or pet to be in direct contact with the cart.
I have a small dark coat service dog. In stores with carts, people don’t see her and she has been hit, stepped on and kicked. She was in her position next to me when these things happened. People are looking up at shelves, not down. Isles are frequently narrow with supplies or sale items. People are in a hurry. Kids run up to her and grab her. So I started putting her in the cart upper place on a clean blanket, with store approval. This should be allowed always.
I agree 💯 if the food is packaged correctly then there is no cross contamination from a small service 🐕🦺 riding in the cart. I guess they would rather have your service animal relieve themselves on the floor and marking their territory instead. Just saying my opinion that is.
People put their children into carts all of the time with shoes on. Who knows what kind of dirt and excrement that they could be bringing on to your food stuff and passing along without anyone thinking twice of it!
Most service dogs are cleaner and better cared for than the average child’s shoe!
A professional service animal does not ride in a shopping cart. If they need to be close to the disabled person then they need to be carried. Once a grocery starts to let one person let their dog ride in the cart, then you have numerous dogs in carts without a barrier. Next you will have fake service dogs because the dog goes everywhere with their owner. This has now completely negated the entire purpose of a service animal. My service animal is a medical alert and she has saved my life when she has “alerted” on my medical condition a few times.