GREER, S.C. —
A Greenville county veteran with a service dog is hoping her experience at a local business will prevent future problems with businesses and individuals with service animals.
Kim Woods is a Navy veteran and has a service dog named Wrangle. The Navy veteran and her dog have been together for seven years.
What was supposed to be a routine visit to the nail salon ended up being a reminder of why is a service dog protected by federal law.
Recently they ran into a situation many veterans with service animals face, a lack of understanding of American Disability Act laws.
Woods experienced this first hand at a local nail salon.
"She said I'm sorry you can't come back. We have people complaining about a dog being in here. We're a very small business, family owned and we can't lose customers," Woods said. "It was kind of a shock to hear that. I knew it wasn't right."
Woods then contacted Bill Brightman with Service Dogs for Veterans, who sent a letter to the business telling them why this is not allowed and that they need to comply.
"A service animal is just like a medical device for that individual and that dog and that handler are guaranteed access to any facility the public has access to," Brightman said.
Brightman said people and business owners are allowed to ask two questions to those with service animals, which they are required to answer.
"There is a way to file an official complaint with the department of justice for improper refusal of access to a commercial facility. Anyone with a disability, not just veterans but anyone with a disability has a right to get back to the federal government and let them know at the local level they are not able to resolve that," Brightman said.
We learned the owners didn't understand the law but after learning about it, they sent a formal letter to Brightman agreeing they will allow Woods and Wrangle to come back.
Brightman added if you come across a service dog, please do not try to pet or play with it. That dog is working and should only be focused on its handler.
www.wyff4.com
A Greenville county veteran with a service dog is hoping her experience at a local business will prevent future problems with businesses and individuals with service animals.
Kim Woods is a Navy veteran and has a service dog named Wrangle. The Navy veteran and her dog have been together for seven years.
What was supposed to be a routine visit to the nail salon ended up being a reminder of why is a service dog protected by federal law.
Recently they ran into a situation many veterans with service animals face, a lack of understanding of American Disability Act laws.
Woods experienced this first hand at a local nail salon.
"She said I'm sorry you can't come back. We have people complaining about a dog being in here. We're a very small business, family owned and we can't lose customers," Woods said. "It was kind of a shock to hear that. I knew it wasn't right."
Woods then contacted Bill Brightman with Service Dogs for Veterans, who sent a letter to the business telling them why this is not allowed and that they need to comply.
"A service animal is just like a medical device for that individual and that dog and that handler are guaranteed access to any facility the public has access to," Brightman said.
Brightman said people and business owners are allowed to ask two questions to those with service animals, which they are required to answer.
- Is the dog trained to help with your disability?
- What does the dog do for you?
"There is a way to file an official complaint with the department of justice for improper refusal of access to a commercial facility. Anyone with a disability, not just veterans but anyone with a disability has a right to get back to the federal government and let them know at the local level they are not able to resolve that," Brightman said.
We learned the owners didn't understand the law but after learning about it, they sent a formal letter to Brightman agreeing they will allow Woods and Wrangle to come back.
Brightman added if you come across a service dog, please do not try to pet or play with it. That dog is working and should only be focused on its handler.
Greenville County veteran with service dog denied service at local nail salon, uses experience to teach ADA laws
Veteran with service dog denied service at local nail salon, uses experience to teach ADA laws
www.wyff4.com
