As I go to Walmart today with a service dog in training Id like to remind some of you that emotional support dogs and therapy dogs are not allowed in Walmart and other non pet friendly stores. Yes there is a sign on the doors saying service dogs only. Linton Walmart is getting out of hand with the amount of dogs in the store that are clearly not service dogs. There are dogs in the carts often, big dogs! Even small service dogs are not allowed in carts, so do not put your pets, esa, or therapy dog in a cart. Yes, it's hot outside so if you know you are going to the store leave your pet at home.
A few important facts: *Service dogs in training have the same legal rights as service dogs.
*Service dogs require many hours of training and perform specific task(s) to assist their handler.
*Service dogs are NOT required by law to wear a vest or other ID.
*A therapy dog brings comfort to others such as visiting hospitals and school. Therapy dogs are not allowed in non pet friendly stores.
*An ESA brings comfort to yourself and is allowed in non pet friendly housing, but IS NOT allowed in non pet friendly stores.
*To burst your bubble, all those online esa and service dog registrations that some of you buy to "certify" your dog in an instant so you can keep it in your non pet friendly apartment, its a scam, and means nothing.
* I know at Linton Walmart staff hasn't cracked down on the dog issue because they think they cannot ask if a customer's dog is an SD. You certainly can! Ask these questions only 1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.
If you have any questions about what qualifies as an ESA, therapy dog, or service dog please contact us or visit https://www.ada.gov/.../service-animals-2010-requirements/
