Lots of comments about the so-called service dog at the Red Lobster. Here are some of your thoughts.

DEAR JOAN: Thank you for your column about service animals. As a blind person with many friends who use these amazing animals, your column brought up both sides of an issue that really gets me upset.

It used to be that many businesses would arbitrarily and illegally refuse to allow these service animals into their premises. Thankfully that is very rare now. Alas, a number of people have begun calling their dogs and other pets "service animals" whether in fact they meet that definition.

A service dog meets a miniature horse that is being trained as a service animal.
A service dog meets a miniature horse that is being trained as a service animal. (The Charlotte Observer)

Sometimes these people are just not familiar with what constitutes a true service animal. Worse some are using this to keep their pets with them at all times. I even had a handyman, who apparently did not realize I was blind, brag about how he takes his dog everywhere now and just tells people he is a service animal.

The misuse not only is terribly unfair to merchants who want to do the right thing, such as the Red Lobster mentioned in your column, but also to the thousands of legitimate users who sometimes find themselves the victims of these callous people, when their service animal is not allowed in because of the bad behavior of pets posing as service animals.


It is difficult enough being blind or deaf without these totally insensitive people using the disabled to assert their own agendas.

One would think a law could be used to crack down on these posers, but, at least so far, creating such a law has proved elusive.

Thanks for letting me get this pet peeve off my chest (sorry for that pun).

John Nuanes

Bay Area

DEAR JOHN: Well said, and I forgive the pun.

DEAR JOAN: People with service dogs miss a great opportunity if they don't put the vest on the dog. The dogs give them aid and comfort. Let them give comfort to the public as well by announcing with their vests who they are.

People who are afraid of dogs, who are allergic to dogs or who are annoyed when people bring their dogs where dogs are normally are forbidden will immediately change their attitude when they see the vest. Frowns change to smiles. Irritation becomes gratitude.

The dog may not wear a vest during hot weather or for some other reason, but other than that, the vest announces to the world that this dog is OK. Why make people guess, and then get angry when they guess incorrectly?

Hospital therapy dogs, 4-H dogs, and "greeter" dogs at the airport wear vests. Dogs who wear vests are showing kindness to strangers, as well as to the people they help every day.

Bonnie Home

Bay Area

DEAR JOAN: Thank you for the information regarding service dogs in restaurant and your graciousness to the accident. What you may want to cover are those who do not have a disability and who sneak their pet dogs on planes, trains and restaurants because they want them to be included. These people are making it more and more difficult for those who truly are covered by the ADA and depend upon their service dog.

Sandy Shaffer

Volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind

DEAR SANDY: Those who are pulling these stunt are the lowest of the low.
