And Here IT Comes.

I wondered how long it would be into our journey and where it would be before I encountered a real challenge to my right to have Cherelle with me. It was today in Deadwood South Dakota.

Now to let you know that in the over six years that Cher and I have been together we have been in a number of situations where we have experienced what I like to refer to as "misinformed encounters". I take them in stride and enjoy educating the person or persons regarding Assistance Dogs and the rights of accessibility regarding them. In all but one and now two cases have the individuals involved been down ride rude and even belligerent. At least this instance, as you will note from the copy of my letter to the organization, it did not result in my being denied access because I was accompanied by Cherelle.

A note here. I have not identified the enterprise involved because ultimately I was not denied access and because I feel this was an incident of "a bad apple" and not indicative of the organization as a whole. I put this "out there" as they say so that you get a chance to see what people all across the country who rely on Service Dogs inevitably experience.

To whom this may concern.

This morning (Tuesday, August 20th) my husband and I accompanied by my Service Dog, a Golden Lab mix, went to visit X. We stopped into the visitors center/gift shop before heading towards the site itself. A gentleman, who it turns out works/volunteers in the visitors center, perhaps his early 60s, approached me and said "You are not taking that dog even if you could pick it up and carry it."

Where can I begin with my displeasure. First thing, he was not wearing any name tag that identified himself as an employee or volunteer. I did not notice him come out from behind the counter so I just thought he was a rude and misinformed tourist. Secondly, he was very rude in the way he approached me even if, as he mistakenly believed, my Service Dog was not allowed. This brings me to the third and final issue. According to both Federal and South Dakota Sate Statutes, Service Dogs, also known as Assistance Dogs, are allowed wherever their disabled handlers are allowed (SD Law 20-13-23.1). The man could have asked "Is that a service dog required because of a disability?" He may even have asked  "What does your Service Dog do for you?"  He could not have asked what is my disability or demand proof that my dog is a Service Dog. What he most certainly cannot do is challenge me regarding my right have her with me. Please make sure all your personnel are trained on Service Dog protocol. 

Fortunately the two women who were at the admissions booth were better educated because I encountered no problems with them when we went to pay our admissions fee. My husband and I along with my Service Dog enjoyed our educational and reflective walk through X.  My Assistance Dog behaved extremely well and without any incidents. When we left no one would have had a clue that she had been there.

Regards,
Karen Brockett
And Service Dog, Cherelle

This photo is Not from the above mentioned organization.

Cher seems a bit puzzled about and maybe sorry for

the taxidermic bucking bronco.

@ Days of '76 Museum in Deadwood, SD.