Perhaps they train dogs differently in Texas, but here in PA, the dogs are provided by organizations that hand pick and train dogs to be placed.
When a dog is placed, the handler accompanies the disabled person and dog for public training sessions.
Also, 7 months is younger than normal here for placing a dog.
As for taking the pup on an escalator, that seems to me to be something I wouldn’t recommend doing so early in training.
Like I said, the article at post # 24 raises several questions in my mind.
yes. same thing I thought. Not an official service dog.
First, this was not a professionally trained guide dog, the guy is “training” it himself which means the store has no idea if this dog might be mean, might bite another customer or cause damage to the premises. The dog is only 7 months old, too young to be a reliably and sufficiently trained.
Second, it might me but I can’t possibly understand how holding a dogs leash is going to “stabilize” someone
who might fall. Seems to me he is in greater danger of the the dog pulling him down. If they guy had a handle, as opposed to a leash, I might understand it, but he didn’t.
The guy said he was “training the dog” on the escalator. Huh? Why is he using Dillard’s facilities to train his dog? Why didn’t he call ahead of time so Dillards employees could help accommodate him if that was his intention?
ADA allows dogs in training to be allowed in public places, but that training must be conducted by a licensed dog handler...this guy wasn’t. For all Dillards knew this was just some guy trying to circumvent their rules so he didn’t have to leave the dog in the car or tie him up outside.
If the dog bit someone in the store, Dillards would be sued by the victim for irresponsibly allowing an underage untrained dog and an unlicensed dog trainer into the store.