fake service animals

[NAICITPO]

I like dogs. As long as they are well behaved I don't have any problem with them in the office. I try to schedule those customers at a less busy time if at all possible but other than that it's never been a big deal. Just had a lady bring in a non-service dog because she was traveling from another state to come see us and didn't want to leave her dog in the hot car. Super well behaved, after the exam the dog became friends with almost everyone in the office.

Have yet to see a mini-horse though...

[dwlk]

So you are saying you would like a life changing disability so you can go through the hassle and cost of taking care of a miniature horse for the rest of your life? No, I can't imagine that. It sounds awful.

obviously nobody wants a disability, but the novelty of picking a horse as a service animal is just a silly thought

[Kwill212]

obviously nobody wants a disability, but the novelty of picking a horse as a service animal is just a silly thought

a PET. you want a pet.

[optical24/7]

Fwiw, I knew an extremely successful Optician that had 2 Pomeranian dogs in his dispensary and they were the stars. Patients would stop by just to see his dogs sometimes. Like his dogs, his patients were faithful to him. Personally, I love dogs and there’s a surprising number that like them too. They can help break down barriers and induce communication. I’ve liked way more doggies that’s been in my dispensary than some patients..

[NAICITPO]

Fwiw, I knew an extremely successful Optician that had 2 Pomeranian dogs in his dispensary and they were the stars. Patients would stop by just to see his dogs sometimes. Like his dogs, his patients were faithful to him. Personally, I love dogs and there’s a surprising number that like them too. They can help break down barriers and induce communication. I’ve liked way more doggies that’s been in my dispensary than some patients..

100%

[chamilun]

I have had to tell people, we have patients with allergies and phobias. cannot allow animals into the office. real service animals are one thing.

[KrystleClear]

We had to put a sign up on the door stating no animals allowed outside of service animals. People still don't listen. Had a lady bring in her dog on Tuesday, who she kept in her lap but was thrashing around because it was nervous. She said she couldn't leave it in the car because it was too hot. Okay, but you could have left the dog at HOME. This is a medical facility. Our ophthalmologist is doing medical procedures in here. There could be patients here who are allergic to dogs or are afraid of dogs.

There was another elderly couple who kept bringing their dog in and it peed on our carpeted floor more than once. We had to tell them we couldn't help them if they brought the dog. I know your dog doesn't want to be left home alone but there are certain places that aren't appropriate for non-service dogs.

Never had any issues with the legit service dogs, though. We have several blind patients, and their dogs always behave themselves and don't bark or jump on other patients.

[SergeTrigger]

Just last night had a lady come in with her tiny dog and when I asked her if the dog preformed at ask, she got smart with me and said it was "her support dog" and she "has his papers" (mind you there's no such thing as 'papers' for service animals according to the ADA). Had to let this lady look for frames with her dog because no one else would back me up. it was very frustrating. Like what do you even do if people refuse? call the cops?

[dwlk]

Just last night had a lady come in with her tiny dog and when I asked her if the dog preformed at ask, she got smart with me and said it was "her support dog" and she "has his papers" (mind you there's no such thing as 'papers' for service animals according to the ADA). Had to let this lady look for frames with her dog because no one else would back me up. it was very frustrating. Like what do you even do if people refuse? call the cops?

thats where you ask "support" or "service" ESA's are not ADA protected

[SergeTrigger]

thats where you ask "support" or "service" ESA's are not ADA protected

You can tell a patient that all you want but it doesn't matter if they believe being a "support" animal entitles them to bring their dog with them everywhere. They're going to fight you on it regardless and at that point what do you even do if the patient refuses to leave or insists they be allowed to have their dog?

[dwlk]

You can tell a patient that all you want but it doesn't matter if they believe being a "support" animal entitles them to bring their dog with them everywhere. They're going to fight you on it regardless and at that point what do you even do if the patient refuses to leave or insists they be allowed to have their dog?

true, technically i guess you could fire the patient immediately but being private practice in a smaller town the word would fly so fast...