by Amanda Chin
Sunday, December 5th 2021
HOPKINSVILLE, Tenn. -- A Kentucky woman, Raina Jones, says she's being denied healthcare because of her service dog.
Jones wants to share her story on behalf of those who have disabilities and are being denied service. She is 44 years old and is in a wheelchair due to a genetic disorder.
Jones also has a service dog named T, who assists with medical alerts, helps her stand up, does guide work and PTSD work.
"We're being mistreated, and our civil rights are being violated," says Jones from Oak Grove, KY.
Jones needed to find new housing and wanted to stay in a rehab facility for a few weeks.
At first, Bradford Heights in Hopkinsville didn't give her any issues about staying there, and Jones says she told them she had a service dog.
"They had said yes, come. We're going to admit you. I had mentioned to them that I had a service dog. I mentioned to them also I have this wheelchair and they didn't ask any questions, so I figured we were good," says Jones.
That same day, when Jones went to Bradford Heights in person, they told her animals were not allowed.
According to Kentucky Statute 258.500, persons with assistance dogs are not to be denied accommodations.
"Immediately told me that I would have to leave the building because I have a service animal," says Jones.
FOX17 News reached out to Bradford Heights and asked what its policy is.
Administrators told us they had no comment and hung up the phone.
Jones turned herself into Adult Protective Services where she says around thirty others also denied her service.
"I am in an environment that is not safe for somebody at my level of debility, and of course I was hoping to get rehabilitation and get stronger," says Jones.
Jones is sharing her story in hopes that the community understands this isn't just happening to her.
"I have actually helped other service dog handlers in this situation, so I know, it's not just me," says Jones.
For now, Jones is staying in a hotel until she can find proper accommodations.
fox17.com
Sunday, December 5th 2021
HOPKINSVILLE, Tenn. -- A Kentucky woman, Raina Jones, says she's being denied healthcare because of her service dog.
Jones wants to share her story on behalf of those who have disabilities and are being denied service. She is 44 years old and is in a wheelchair due to a genetic disorder.
Jones also has a service dog named T, who assists with medical alerts, helps her stand up, does guide work and PTSD work.
"We're being mistreated, and our civil rights are being violated," says Jones from Oak Grove, KY.
Jones needed to find new housing and wanted to stay in a rehab facility for a few weeks.
At first, Bradford Heights in Hopkinsville didn't give her any issues about staying there, and Jones says she told them she had a service dog.
"They had said yes, come. We're going to admit you. I had mentioned to them that I had a service dog. I mentioned to them also I have this wheelchair and they didn't ask any questions, so I figured we were good," says Jones.
That same day, when Jones went to Bradford Heights in person, they told her animals were not allowed.
According to Kentucky Statute 258.500, persons with assistance dogs are not to be denied accommodations.
"Immediately told me that I would have to leave the building because I have a service animal," says Jones.
FOX17 News reached out to Bradford Heights and asked what its policy is.
Administrators told us they had no comment and hung up the phone.
Jones turned herself into Adult Protective Services where she says around thirty others also denied her service.
"I am in an environment that is not safe for somebody at my level of debility, and of course I was hoping to get rehabilitation and get stronger," says Jones.
Jones is sharing her story in hopes that the community understands this isn't just happening to her.
"I have actually helped other service dog handlers in this situation, so I know, it's not just me," says Jones.
For now, Jones is staying in a hotel until she can find proper accommodations.
Kentucky woman says she's being denied healthcare services because of her service dog
HOPKINSVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Kentucky woman, Raina Jones, says she’s being denied healthcare because of her service dog. Jones wants to share her story on behalf of those who have disabilities and are being denied service. She is 44 years old and is in a wheelchair due to a genetic disorder...
fox17.com
