# Walmart Staff Denying Service To Customers With Service Animals **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258 "2012-09-29T22:21:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/21 "2012-09-30T03:15:50Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > 1. Has to be a dog. (Federal law only recognizes dogs as service animals.) No. Some small horses qualify as service animals. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/22 "2012-09-30T03:24:56Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > No. Some small horses qualify as service animals. Only dogs are recognized at the Federal level. [From here.](http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm) > [@](#): > > This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations. > > ``` > Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA. > A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. > Generally, title II and title III entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go. > > ``` However, states can use a broader definition. > [@](#): > > This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act. > > Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the State attorney general’s office. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/23 "2012-09-30T04:52:00Z")
OP, why did you make such an idiotic claim that Walmart is abusing service animals? There wasn’t even a hint of a suggestion that the animal was abused in your linked story ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/24 "2012-09-30T07:37:52Z")
I’ve raised four guide dogs for the blind. The last one became a breeder and we got to keep her. We’ve taken them in stores of all types, with almost never a problem. And this was when they were puppies and not totally trained some times. But this woman disturbs me. First, as noted, the vest means nothing. We had a vest, but the important thing was paperwork we carried. Second, two of our dogs, including our breeder, were Goldens and I’m having a hard time visualizing how they could have taken stuff off of shelves in any sort of reasonable way. Some things are too big, some are too small, and some might be very hard to reach for the dog. I’d think a grasper would be far better. Plus, I’ve held tennis balls that have been in my dogs mouth. No thanks, I wouldn’t want to meet that on a shelf - especially on something like a pair of socks. One of the things about guide dogs is that the slightest bit of aggression shown during training gets the dog career changed really fast. My dogs have never even come close to snapping - they been bread for dozens of generations not to. If she can’t guarantee that the dog won’t bite, she shouldn’t have it in the store. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/25 "2012-09-30T10:07:14Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > She does get questioned about her dog at other stores and by greeters at other Walmart locations, but says it’s nothing compared to what she endures at the Rexdale store. So I would think she sholud go to those other Wal-Mart stores, instead of the Rexdale location. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/26 "2012-09-30T11:29:29Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > OP, why did you make such an idiotic claim that Walmart is abusing service animals? There wasn’t even a hint of a suggestion that the animal was abused in your linked story Wow! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You really love to call other people names. I wonder what is wrong with your life that you need to feel good by doing that. You told an unemployed lawyer that he should sue his law school. And you say that others are making idiotic posts? I am putting you on my Ignore List and so please understand if I do not respond to any more of your insults. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/27 "2012-09-30T11:30:33Z")
Voyageur, Thanks for that very cogent and informative post. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/28 "2012-09-30T14:00:37Z")
> [@Lazlo Hapsburg](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > OP, why did you make such an idiotic claim that Walmart is abusing service animals? There wasn’t even a hint of a suggestion that the animal was abused in your linked story > > Wow! > > Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. > > You really love to call other people names. I wonder what is wrong with your life that you need to feel good by doing that. > > You told an unemployed lawyer that he should sue his law school. > > And you say that others are making idiotic posts? > > I am putting you on my Ignore List and so please understand if I do not respond to any more of your insults. I agree with **Boyo Jim** ; your statement that Walmart was “abusing service animals” was a gross exaggeration. And his statement about suing a law schgol was clearly facetious (see below). > [@I'm a new lawyer with a 3.6 gpa in law school and unemployed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-new-lawyer-with-a-3-6-gpa-in-law-school-and-unemployed/636270/14): > > Sue your law school, your dentist, your girlfriend, and whoever advised you to go to law school. It’s good practice! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/29 "2012-09-30T14:02:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I agree with **Boyo Jim** ; your statement that Walmart was “abusing service animals” was a gross exaggeration. And his statement about suing a law schgol was clearly facetious (see below). Thank you. We can be Ignore List pals! Anybody else want to hang out together on Lazlo’s Ignore list? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/30 "2012-09-30T14:12:47Z")
There’s an easy solution to the “dog saliva on cans” problem. If you are handicapped, and cannot reach the shelves, you either bring a friend who can, or you ask a store employee to assist. Some stores will bend over backwards to help, and it’s excellent customer relations. But when you get to the pet food aisle, let the dog handle it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/31 "2012-09-30T14:13:54Z")
Most stores I’ve visited have a sign saying that they offer assistance to customers who need it. (Presumably someone from the store will go around with you.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/32 "2012-09-30T14:21:43Z")
> [@Lazlo Hapsburg](#): > > Wow! > > Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. > > You really love to call other people names. I wonder what is wrong with your life that you need to feel good by doing that. > > You told an unemployed lawyer that he should sue his law school. > > And you say that others are making idiotic posts? > > I am putting you on my Ignore List and so please understand if I do not respond to any more of your insults. **[MODERATING]** This manner of response is completely inappropriate outside the Pit. Stop it. 1. You may not state the names of people on your Ignore list in any forum other than the Pit. No exceptions. Please consult the relevant board rules for guidance, which can be found in the “About This Message Board” forum. 2. Your response is disproportionate to the relatively moderate snark you’re replying to. YOU were not called an idiot and are treating jokes as serious statement. Dial it back. On an added note, your OP title does not, in fact, accurately represent the facts presently in the OP, and I will see about having it changed. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/33 "2012-09-30T14:30:33Z")
Oh, Jeez, I thought this was IN the Pit. Good thing I didn’t respond with the first thing I thought of. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/34 "2012-09-30T14:56:36Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Thank you. We can be Ignore List pals! > > Anybody else want to hang out together on Lazlo’s Ignore list? :D.. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/35 "2012-09-30T15:02:26Z")
(We have Ignore Lists? I’ve just been skipping over posts from certain individuals for the past 13 years.) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/36 "2012-09-30T15:07:07Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > :D.. I’ll hold a spot for you! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/37 "2012-09-30T15:12:47Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’ll hold a spot for you! [MODERATING] Not in this forum. Stop discussing it, all of you. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/38 "2012-09-30T15:15:18Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > [MODERATING] > > Not in this forum. Stop discussing it, all of you. > > RickJay > Moderator Yessir! ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/39 "2012-09-30T18:12:09Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Most stores I’ve visited have a sign saying that they offer assistance to customers who need it. (Presumably someone from the store will go around with you.) You do realize this is Walmart we’re talking about, right? Customer service and competent employees are not exactly their strong suits. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258/40 "2012-09-30T18:37:14Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > You do realize this is Walmart we’re talking about, right? Customer service and competent employees are not exactly their strong suits. Here again things differ by location. I have gotten consistently excellent and competent service in my local Walmart. Not so much when I lived in Los Angeles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-staff-denying-service-to-customers-with-service-animals/636258.md?page=3)