my problem with this is not that the employeed "confronted" the man
my problem is with how it was done...
the dog was wearing a vest and patches, it should have been a case of "is that your service dog?" and "oh what servies does your dog provide" the manner should have been calm quiet and none confrontational...
instead according to the article the employee yelled that the man couldn't have a dog in there
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'It was in your face, loud and bold. I got really nervous. I was shaking because I was being confronted,'
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then when the man explained the dog was a service dog the employee wasn't tactfull and obviously had no clue retorting with
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The employee countered, 'you're not blind!'
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the employee was within rights to ask what the dog did but to then turn around and say
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'Why can't you do that yourself?'
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Quote:
'This whole time the guy is in my face, being loud
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its NOT that the employee confronted a service dog team, its HOW the employee did it that's disturbing and shows lack of training, this happens all to often...and for people who use a service dog due to PTSD or issues with serious anxiety disorders, THIS behavior (and our fear of confrotnations like this) is why our agoraphobic tendencies typically swing into full blown, never leave the house issues...
I have no problem with a quiet "is that your service dog" and "what does your dog help you with" or "what does your dog do" ill painfully but HAPPILY fight every ounce of anxiety in my body to educate and discus my service dog with ANYONE who approaches me in a calm quiet none confrontational way who seems like they are open to listening and truly interested...
But a confrontation like this guy describes, i probably would have ended up leaving the place in tears in an attempt to avoid a full blown panic attack...THIS kind of confrontation is not acceptable...
now while i agree its not a "starbucks thing" (many people on other places have tried to make this a military vet vs liberal starbucks issue *rolls eyes*) it IS a corporate America NOT ensuring that empoyees are edcutated on some basic fundamental rules...
again a simple, Hey were ADA compliant heres a FAQ on service dog acessability please familiarize yourself, its also posted on the staff notice board, if in doubt or unsure please talk to your shift supervisor or manager...
id have no problem if an employee said "hey look im unfamiliar with the rules, let me just go check with my manager"
i do carry cards around with the FAQ's and the ada contact line...and even still theres been times where ive had clueless people fight me over my rights as a service dog handler because im "not blind" and my dogs "not a lab"
that screams ignorance and lazy training of employees...and it does make the entire company look bad due to their training methods...
they put so much other junk in employee packets, why not simply add the servce dog faq page, they can print it off the ADA website for free!