It was bound to happen, and it did today.  I had my first negative experience in public with my service dog Iris.

Walmart Employee

I had a product to return to Walmart while Julie was doing some shopping.  So I headed over to the Customer Service counter while Julie wander the labyrinth in search of treasures.  The Customer Service counter at this particular Walmart is directly adjacent to one of the entrances.

I, pushing a cart with the item in it, and Iris got into line to wait our turn.  About 30 seconds later the Walmart greeter sees me there with Iris and does his duty to come ask about her.

There are only 2 things he is legally allowed to ask me: 1) Is that a service dog? and 2) What is she trained to do?  That is all that is allowed, and this man knew his job and was pleasant to deal with.  He came up with a smile and told me she was a good looking dog.  Next came, “Is she a service dog?” in a inquisitive way (like he was genuinely curious, instead of asking accusatorily).  And sure enough, when I answered “yes”, came the follow-up of, “Really, what is she trained to do?”

I answered and he asked said something about how he really likes dogs and then excused himself.  He made it seem like the conversation was impromptu and natural instead of something he had been trained for.  I didn’t have any issue with him.   He was well trained and very nice.

Throughout that interview with the Walmart greeter, Iris stayed by my side and never made a sound.   She never does.   When it was over I turned my attention to the line ahead of me which had moved.   I moved up and around the corner of those rope type barricades.

The Customer

When I finished moving Iris was still what I considered “by my side.”   Her tail was hitting me in the leg (which is how I knew she was by me) but her body length was extended behind me while I was reading something on the wall.

Apparently the person in line behind me doesn’t like dogs.  He firmly, but politely said, “Can you get your dog from me?”  When I turned to look she was looking at him from a couple feet away, and was still touching my leg with her tail.  He and his wife had stopped their cart a few feet back, but Iris hadn’t advanced toward them.  She wasn’t moving, but just standing and following his movements with her head.

I pulled her gently on the leash and told her to come to me.  She turned and faced the front of the line and sat on the ground as we waited.   This customer, apparently not satisfied with that mumbled, just loud enough for me to hear, “shouldn’t bring your dog into the store.”

This person had been behind me when the Walmart greeter had done his job and asked me about the animal.  He surely must have heard me say that she was a service dog.   In my mind she didn’t in any way act inappropriately either.  She was impeccably well behaved the entire time.

Outcome

Just a moment after this comment I was served at the counter and we moved on. I didn’t say anything to him.  It wasn’t worth the time or stress.  I know that Iris was doing just fine, and that I wasn’t doing anything wrong by having her there.

Maybe this guy was just having a bad day.  So I let it slide.  But I did mention it to Julie, and I’m sharing it with you now.  I knew it was bound to happen.  I’m equally sure it is bound to happen again.  Hopefully it never happens when I’m under high stress and doing poorly, or I might react much differently (and surely worse).   Actually, hopefully I’m never in public at all at those times.

What are your thoughts?  Could/should I have done anything differently?  Would YOU have said something to the customer?  Have you ever said something to anybody about their service dog?

 

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Trivia: Other than a dog, what is the other authorized animal to have as a “service animal”?